$2 million in funding to be distributed to minority ventures through digital campaign
BEDFORD, TX – Capital Plus Financial (CPF), an innovative Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and certified B Corporation has announced the Venture Funding Program Campaign in collaboration with One Million Truths (OMT), a 24/7 interactive media platform for Black Americans to share truths and for non-Black Americans to bear witness to the scale of endemic bias and racism built into the fabric of American life. The program aims to distribute $2 million in funding to ventures dedicated to equity and opportunity for minority communities.
The collaboration between CPF and OMT stems from their commitment to breaking down barriers for minority individuals and small businesses so that they can experience equal opportunity in the banking system and the communities in which they live. Having served hundreds of thousands of these businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), CPF’s priority is to build capacity in underserved communities and help businesses scale with responsible capital and debt while also providing mentorship to multiply generational impact.
The campaign will run July 26th through September 27th. Eligibility will lie with individuals, startups, and seed stage ventures, and applicants will submit a video based on pre-set criteria. Overall, ten ventures will be funded; one with $500,000, and four with $250,000 and five with $100,000. The winning ventures will receive funding from CPF and an invitation to share Truth or an Allied response on the One Million Truths platform. In addition, they will receive a free 1-year membership to the COMMON Community, the parent company of OMT. COMMON is a global creative accelerator and community that catalyzes and promotes products and ideas that take care of the planet.
“As a CDFI, Capital Plus Financial aims to create innovative programs to support economically disadvantaged communities,” said CEO Eric Donnelly. “We are delighted to partner with One Million Truths on the Venture Funding Program and together create opportunities to fulfill business dreams and goals.”
“One Million Truths is honored to partner with Capital Plus Financial, an organization that recognizes racial equity is a business and moral imperative,” said Mark Eckhardt, creator of One Million Truths and CEO of COMMON. “Together we will work to improve economic opportunities within the Black community and shed light on racial disparities.”
Results of the Venture Funding Program Campaign will be announced the week of September 27th.
About Capital Plus Financial:
Crossroads Systems, Inc. (OTCQB: CRSS), is a holding company focused on investing in businesses that promote economic vitality and community development. Crossroads’ subsidiary, Capital Plus Financial (CPF), is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and certified B-Corp which supports Hispanic homeownership with a long term, fixed rate single family mortgage product.
About One Million Truths:
One Million Truths is the brainchild of Mark Eckhardt, CEO of COMMON, a worldwide business community and accelerator founded by ad legend Alex Bogusky, Ana Bogusky, John Bielenberg, and Rob Schuham. Eckhardt is an ordained Zen Buddhist priest and Black American adopted by white parents. After posting about his experience as a Black man in America on MLK Day in January 2020, Eckhardt was inspired by the George Floyd protests and used his own testimony as a jumping-off point for One Million Truths, a 24/7 interactive platform designed to facilitate truth and reconciliation where Black Americans share personal testimony and non-Black Americans can bear witness and respond to effect change. For more information on how to submit testimony or become an ally or partner, please visit www.OneMillionTruths.com.