ICA is breaking down one of the biggest barriers to small business growth in the Bay Area — access to flexible capital, especially equity financing.
To close the gender and racial wealth gaps, ICA invests in and accelerates local, value-driven businesses that make good jobs available to women and people of color. We are committed to funding entrepreneurs often overlooked by mainstream funders.
ICA is your long-term partner for growth. Get investment for your small business when the time is right and learn how to raise capital.
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Invest your growth capital in ICA and help create wealth-building opportunities for underestimated entrepreneurs.
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With strong potential for profit, growth, and scalability
Committed to fair and equitable compensation and benefits for all
Committed to equity/profit distribution to workforce
Based in the nine counties that comprise San Francisco Bay Area
Led by and/or has a workforce inclusive of women and people of color
ICA provides flexible, patient capital options to align with the growth of each company. Our typical investment size is around $500,000. We invest in businesses primarily through the use of a convertible note structure (short-term debt that can convert into equity). In some instances, we also provide other types of funding tools, such as term loans or equity investments.
ICA loans money to your business, and instead of a return in the form of principal plus interest, ICA can receive equity. Convertible notes provide flexibility, alignment, and can serve as an asset on your business’ balance sheet to help you raise additional capital and operate your businesses. If you want to learn more about funding from ICA, email us at investment@ica.fund.
ICA brings together a talented team and an experienced group of impact investors and longtime backers of ICA. The ICA investment team is supported by the Investment Committee, which provides oversight for our investment decisions.
Profitability + Social Impact. Evidence shows gender, racial, cultural, and ethnic diversity play a substantial role in driving profitability and growth for many businesses, both large and small. Companies that are more racially and gender diverse are
33% more likely to have industry-leading profitability
21% more likely to outperform on profitability
27% more likely to have a superior value creation than their peers
Businesses that have diverse employees fairly represented at the executive level and throughout the company are more profitable than their peers with less diversity.
ICA’s current portfolio consists of 8 companies. Each company has a tailored workplan to achieve revenue growth and job creation targets, mitigate risk, and ensure a favorable return on investment for the fund.
ICA has provided invaluable support to some of the San Francisco Bay Area’s most recognized founders and brands, including Blue Bottle Coffee, Numi Tea, Revolution Foods, and Back To The Roots, among many others.
The businesses ICA invests in are successful companies poised for growth and committed to creating good jobs and building value for the owners and their employees. These companies have the potential to produce positive economic and social impact locally by demonstrating:
Scalable and profitable business models
A commitment to the equitable and fair treatment of their employees
A commitment to racial and gender diversity in leadership positions and across their workforces
ICA carries a strong investment pipeline and counts on a robust referral network of over 600 current and past cohort companies, and more than 40 strategic partners to identify potential portfolio companies. ICA has a stellar reputation for mission-aligned debt and equity financing that is the right size, at the right time.
