Upon moving to Austin this past spring, I was struck by the amount of entrepreneurs contributing to this city. From tech start ups (too many to name!) to drive through coffee, to cupcakes served from a trailer, Austin is bursting with raw talent and drive. Unfortunately, one of the key elements to a successful business is funding. 

Now, ask any entrepreneur with a great idea and he/she will tell you that the most defeating feeling is to not be able to get an idea out to the public. After all, where is an idea without implementation?

On that note, I recently discovered Kiva, a non-profit that enables individuals to loan a small amount of money to an entrepreneur in need. Over time, the entrepreneur pays this money back to the individual(s) that lent it initially. Unlike my friends and co-workers here in Austin, however, these entrepreneurs are spread across the globe and are working to pull themselves and their families out of poverty. From a seamstress that needs money to fix her sewing machine to a young father in need of money to keep his general store open, the money loaned through Kiva serves an important purpose in lives around the world.

Kiva is not an angel investing service or a bank loan. It is merely a service that supports and facilitates human kindness. Coincidentally, TechCrunch discussed Kiva for Blog Action Day today as well and has formed its own lending team if any readers are interested. 

No innovative individual deserves to be ignored because he/she cannot afford the materials, space, or help necessary. Further, if this innovative thinking will provide a stable income and/or improve one’s means of living, can we not sacrifice $25 to their cause? Support Thought. Support Business. Support Humankind.