We are addressing the crisis of lack of access to capital
The tools currently being used to increase access to capital for underrepresented entrepreneurs (BIPOC, women, economically disadvantaged, etc.) are not working.
Based on our decades of experience of working with diverse small businesses to raise capital, we believe the following pillars are needed to create a funding ecosystem that actually moves investment capital into the 99% of small businesses for whom venture style funding is not a fit:
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A welcoming, centrally located gathering place to bring entrepreneurs together with community investors in a safe and supportive environment
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Individualized legal and accounting support and coaching for entrepreneurs to launch a compliant, customized community investment offering
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A place-based, legally compliant investment crowdfunding platform
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Financial literacy education to grow the community of savvy local investors
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Follow-on investments for entrepreneurs that succeed with investment crowdfunding
We bring all of these pillars together at our building at 15 W. Mulberry Street in downtown Baltimore (aka "the Mulberry"). The Mulberry will serve as a Community Wealth Building Hub where we will bring together small business owners and community investors to build knowledge and trust so that local residents can learn to invest locally via investment crowdfunding using our sister investment crowdfunding platform, CrowdfundBaltimore.com. We provide the technical assistance and support to make it possible for underrepresented entrepreneurs to successfully raise community funding in a way that increases the likelihood of long-term sustainability. We plan to develop a follow-on fund for those that are successful.
We firmly believe that this comprehensive model will not only increase the likelihood of fundraising success for individual entrepreneurs, it will also benefit the entire community by raising awareness of the art of investing locally. Overall community financial literacy and empowerment will be increased and more wealth will stay local, creating jobs, growing the tax base, and recirculating in the local economy.
The Mulberry includes 5 beautifully designed short-term rental units on the upper floors and a high ceilinged gathering space on the first floor with original Victorian architectural features. Revenues from the residential units will allow us to provide services to entrepreneurs and community investors at low to no cost, making our Community Wealth Building Hub financially self-sustaining.
We plan to bring the same model to other communities throughout the United States.
General Contractor: Apex Builders
Architect: Carballo Architecture
Engineer: Walus Engineering
Interior Designer: Alice Rambissoon
Learn more
Opportunity Main Street, LLC was founded by Jenny Kassan and Michelle Thimesch, who are attorneys and financial professionals based in the San Francisco Bay Area and Baltimore.
The finance system is broken for all but the wealthiest and most powerful participants. The vast majority of entrepreneurs lack access to supportive funding to grow their businesses in a way that allows them to benefit all stakeholders. Non-wealthy investors lack options for investing in businesses in their own communities to grow local wealth.
In partnership with its sister organizations, Crowdfund Mainstreet, The Kassan Group, Angels of Main Street, and Community Ventures, OMS invests in real estate projects in underserved communities to support entrepreneurs and connect them with community investors. Exits will build community wealth while providing a healthy, non-extractive financial return to investors.
This webpage does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized and does not constitute an offer within any jurisdiction to any person to whom such offer would be unlawful. Additional details of the offering, which is available to accredited investors only, are included in the offering materials.
