NEW YORK CITY (November 14, 2016) - A new $100 million Clinton Foundation-sponsored platform bidding to take on predatory online lenders by offering America's underserved communities a low-cost alternative, is opening its doors for beta testing. Developed by the Global Social Enterprise Institute (GSEI), SourceFunding.org uses a proprietary common application and matchmaking software to help it connect individuals, businesses and other organizations with a national network of partner community banks, credit unions and economic development organizations.
SourceFunding.org National Launch Planned in Ashoka U Commons Accelerator
Photo Credit: Ashoka U Commons
ARLINGTON, VA (March 1, 2016) - The SourceFunding.org national expansion and announcement at the Clinton Global Initiative was planned in collaboration with university and foundation partners in the Ashoka U Commons Accelerator.
SourceFunding.org Founder W. Michael Short, president of the Global Social Enterprise Institute (GSEI) who at the time was serving as Social Entrepreneur in Residence at Le Moyne College, was specifically focused during the Commons on student entrepreneurial pathways and inadequate access to small business funding throughout GSEI's global network of 250+ collaborating universities and institutions.
The Ashoka U Commons, described as a "virtual accelerator for changemaking education," is an online professional development program for universities engaged in social innovation education initiatives. Over the course of a semester, accelerator participants are grouped into university cohorts as they work to advance a core component of social innovation education such as creating a new course, curriculum, or mapping student pathways at their institution.
Ceremony at Le Moyne College Highlights Launch of SourceFunding.org
SYRACUSE, NY (November 11, 2015) - The Global Social Enterprise Institute (GSEI), founded at the Madden School of Business by Le Moyne College's inaugural Social Entrepreneur in Residence W. Michael Short, will highlight at Wednesday’s ceremony the launch of SourceFunding.org - the nation's first socially responsible, transparent, and low-cost financing platform for businesses and community organizations.
The online financing platform uses advanced technologies to streamline the small business loan application process and match entrepreneurs of all backgrounds with the qualified community banks and loan programs that are most likely to provide financing. The platform will be working to empower veterans and other underserved entrepreneurs in particular.
SourceFunding.org Founder W. Michael Short
What sets SourceFunding.org apart existing online financing platforms, viewed by many to be "predatory lenders," is that it utilizes an innovative process tapping into the complete national network of 14,000+ community banks, CDFIs, & credit unions in the U.S., which typically offer lower and more competitive interest rates that save applicants money. Additional benefits include pursuing multiple financing opportunities simultaneously, saving considerable time, and also protecting the credit scores of entrepreneur applicants.
IN THE NEWS: SourceFunding.org Partners with Syracuse University's Whitman School of Management
SYRACUSE, NY (April 23, 2015) - SourceFunding.org was developed through a rewarding partnership between entrepreneur W. Michael Short, the Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University, & top MBA students collaborating to build the platform.
Work on Global Entrepreneurship Platform Practically Prepares Whitman MBAs
Via Whitman Magazine (Spring 2015) - The objective of the Whitman Consulting club is to develop and enhance the skills of members interested in a consulting career. There are many avenues for achieving that outcome, including the shared perspective of accomplished speakers like Dennis Huggins of Bain & Company, who is actively engaged in Syracuse University’s Fast Forward initiative, and career exploration opportunities, such as visiting Deloitte Consulting.
Another benefit of membership is the practical preparation gained through working on real life projects like the Startup Insider Initiative, a new cloud-based incubator platform developed through a partnership between Short Enterprises and the Clinton Global Initiative.
The goal of the initiative, which has a growing network of over 250 collaborators, is to provide entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses with tools, resources and support to help them thrive. Whitman’s Alejandro Amezcua, assistant professor of entrepreneurship, recently joined the initiative’s Leadership Council.
The connection between Whitman and Short Enterprises, founded by SU alumnus W. Michael Short, was first made last summer when Aishik Barua, a second year MBA student, joined the company as a communications intern. Barua felt the firm’s small size would afford him significant work experience. That assumption came to fruition.
“Not only were there opportunities to learn new things, I was able to witness the results of my plans and actions in real time,” shared Barua.
Upon completing his internship, Barua connected Short with the Whitman Consulting Club. Since last August, six MBA students have worked closely with the Short Enterprises team.
“In order for our global initiative to empower businesses to be successful, we needed to ensure our own business had a solid foundation for growth,” said Short. “The collaboration with Whitman students has been mutually rewarding, as it is providing the students with real-world experiences while helping us evaluate and strengthen our core communications consultancy business.”
Having worked on the initiative as an intern and now overseeing the student team as a Consulting Club officer, Barua fully recognizes the value of this experience. “This project provides unique opportunities to engage with budding entrepreneurs across the world,” added Barua. “Mr. Short is a wonderful mentor who gives insightful feedback, generous encouragement and meaningful learning opportunities to help prepare students for future success."
