Are You Ready to Be a RMMFI Entrepreneur?

Icon Heading

A RMMFI Entrepreneur is someone who:

  • Is searching for the tools, guidance, and support to transform an idea into a thriving business.
  • Is looking to build the right foundation to take their business to the next level.
  • Wants more meaning and control in life than living paycheck to paycheck.
  • Sees owning a business as a way to positively contribute to their community.
  • Wants to be part of a diverse community of entrepreneurs who have found it hard to access capital because of their income or life experiences.

What makes RMMFI different? We invest in more than your business — we invest in you! We focus on the whole entrepreneur, helping you build strong foundations both personally and professionally to create impact for your business, your household, and your community.

Join the more than 500 Colorado entrepreneurs who have launched or expanded their businesses through the Idea, Launch, and Thrive phases of the RMMFI journey!


Program Locations

Icon Heading

Denver Metro

Serving entrepreneurs in Denver, Aurora, and the surrounding area

SLV/SW CO

Serving entrepreneurs throughout the San Luis Valley and Southwest Colorado

Eastern Rural CO

Serving entrepreneurs throughout rural areas of Eastern Colorado


Our Impact

  • 88% of entrepreneurs feel very confident about the success of their business idea after Idea
  • 93% feel very ready to invest time in starting their business
  • 67% feel very ready to invest money in starting their business

Idea

Every entrepreneur’s journey starts with an idea. Whether you’ve been in business and haven’t seen the results you wanted or have multiple ideas and can’t decide which to pursue, the Idea Phase of RMMFI’s programming can help you build the foundations needed for success. In Idea, qualified entrepreneurs can receive:

  • A free initial assessment to figure out your starting point and how RMMFI can help.
  • 12 hours of education, coaching, and pitch practice through our 5-session Business Idea Lab, focused on the foundations of business ownership.
  • Mentorship to encourage both personal and business development.
  • Microloans (Seed Loans up to $500) to test the feasibility of your business idea.
  • Connections to partner organizations for help overcoming barriers that might prevent you from starting the business.
  • Support in preparing an application for Business Launch Boot Camp.

Formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs can also receive Seed Grants up to $500.

Business Idea Lab Time Commitment: 6 hours/week for 4 weeks


Launch

After completing the Idea Phase, RMMFI invites qualified entrepreneurs to continue their business journey in the Launch Phase. Just like it sounds, Launch is all about helping you get your business up and running with an actionable plan and all the tools and support you’ll need.

The Launch Phase begins with Business Launch Boot Camp, a 12-week intensive program serving 10-12 committed entrepreneurs per cohort. During Business Launch Boot Camp, entrepreneurs receive:

  • Simple and proven curriculum that shows you how to build an actionable plan to launch your business.
  • 12 hours of mentorship and coaching from dedicated volunteers with expertise in business, finance, and accountability.
  • Access to Launch Grants and microloans (Launch Loans up to $3,500) to help you get what you need to start the business.

Business Launch Boot Camp Time Commitment: 15 hours/week for 12 weeks

Business Launch Boot Camp is followed by a full year of ongoing support through an intentional and customizable 12-month Launch Plan, which includes access to continued education, mentorship, networking, capital, markets, and more. In total, the Launch Phase of RMMFI programming lasts 15 months.

Our Impact

  • 87% of entrepreneurs have a clear vision of what their business will look like in 12 months after Launch
  • 96% have supportive mentors they can go to for advice and guidance
  • 96% feel capable to launch or relaunch their business venture after Launch

Our Impact

  • 60% of entrepreneurs are on the path to achieving what they want in life
  • 64% have increased their household income
  • 77% have been involved in community events and business partnerships over the past year

Thrive

Once you have successfully launched your business, the Thrive Phase helps you grow and sustain it. In addition to resources offered in the Launch Phase, entrepreneurs in Thrive have access to:

  • Cohort-based educational programs focused on the unique issues businesses face as they move from startup to expansion.
  • Relevant mentorship and technical assistance to help navigate the challenges that come with a growing business.
  • Expert-led workshops to continue developing the entrepreneurial and leadership skills necessary for business success.
  • Microloans (Thrive Loans up to $7,000 and Growth Loans up to $75,000) to support the continued growth of your business.

Thrive Time Commitment: You know your business needs better than anyone, so Thrive is a self-directed experience where you can choose the tools that are right for you. There is no minimum participation requirement in the Thrive Phase; the resources are available to you whenever you need them.


Program Eligibility

Icon Heading

RMMFI is focused on serving individuals and communities that are often overlooked and underestimated by traditional business and financial services. In order to qualify for our programs, your income must be at or below the following levels:

Income Limits by Household Size
1 Person 2 People 3 People 4 People 5 People 6 People
$69,520 $79,440 $89,360 $99,280 $107,280 $115,200

While we’d love to help all businesses thrive, RMMFI cannot support businesses that fall into certain categories or industries, which include but may not be limited to the following::

  • Liquor stores or bars where alcohol sales are more than 50% of revenue
  • Tobacco shops
  • Marijuana, cannabis, or any drug or substance that is illegal at the federal, state, or local level
    • This includes businesses primarily engaged in the manufacture, sale, or promotion of CBD products, psilocybin, or other substances that have been decriminalized, legalized or approved for certain uses by a local jurisdiction but remain illegal at the federal level.
  • Businesses engaged in any other activity or product that is illegal under Federal, State, or local law
  • Lending, loan packaging, debt buying, debt collection, money services, or similar activities
  • Speculative activities such as house flipping, cryptocurrency, investments/funds management, oil & gas, or others
  • Rental or investment real estate (including ground-up real estate developers)
  • Businesses providing or promoting credit repair services or debt management schemes suspected of violating consumer financial protection laws or CFPB regulations (reputable credit and financial coaching or counseling services may be allowed)
  • Gambling
  • Firearms sales or manufacture
  • Pawn shops
  • Anything of a prurient sexual nature (i.e. pornography, others)
  • Exclusive membership clubs
  • Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) businesses
  • Other businesses deemed to be disreputable, predatory, or detrimental to the community
  • Businesses primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities
  • Contractors for Uber, Lyft, Instacart, DoorDash, or similar
  • Nonprofit Organizations

If you have any questions about whether you qualify for RMMFI’s programs, please contact us at 720-941-5037 or [email protected].