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<\/p>\nA new chapter in inclusive capital is underway in Dallas.<\/p>\n
The Dallas-based nonprofit has introduced IV Capital, which it calls the state\u2019s first integrated capital fund investing flexible debt and patient equity in women- and BIPOC-led enterprises.<\/p>\n
The announcement came during a kickoff event hosted by JPMorgan Chase in downtown Dallas, just ahead of the 2025 Inclusive Capital Summit held in early October.<\/p>\n
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Guests connect during the kickoff of the 2025 Inclusive Capital Summit at JPMorgan Chase. [Image: Screenshot \/ The Shearer Group video<\/a>]<\/p>\n Certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in July, IV Capital is one of the few minority-led CDFIs headquartered in Dallas. The fund will provide flexible financing to underestimated entrepreneurs across the state with a goal of building economic power and community wealth.<\/p>\n The CDFI milestone, CEO Ben Vann said, has been years in the making.<\/p>\n \u201cThis started way back in 2017, 2018,\u201d Vann told attendees at the event. \u201cWe believe that breaking barriers isn\u2019t just about access to capital\u2014it\u2019s about shifting power, rewriting narratives, and building an economy that works for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n Attendees listen as IV Capital, a new fund from nonprofit Impact Ventures, is announced. [Image: Screenshot \/ The Shearer Group video<\/a>]<\/p>\n Impact Ventures, founded in 2017, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on removing social and economic barriers for communities of color through education, community, and capital. <\/p>\n The event also introduced the Underwriting Reimagined Project, a joint initiative with JPMorgan Chase, Beneficial State Foundation, UNT Dallas, and CoSpero Consulting. The effort convenes underwriters, lenders, and community leaders to challenge traditional credit models and reimagine how risk is assessed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can\u2019t wait for the next generation,\u201d Vann said. \u201cThis is our time.\u201d<\/p>\n Over the next two days, the Inclusive Capital Summit carried that momentum forward, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and civic leaders to explore how capital can serve as a tool for access, equity, and innovation. From early-stage investing to blended finance, inclusive leadership, and trust-based growth, speakers shared candid insights and calls to action.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what happened:<\/p>\n Inside the 2025 Inclusive Capital Summit A morning panel discussion took a candid look at how venture capital remains concentrated in the hands of a few firms<\/a>, leaving early-stage founders with limited access to funding. <\/p>\n Austin Clements, co-founder and managing partner at Slauson & Co, said ecosystems grow \u201cby investing in companies and people at the earliest stages.\u201d He added that a recent \u201cflight to quality\u201d among investors has made it even harder for new firms and ideas to gain traction.<\/p>\n Zach Ellis of South Loop Ventures challenged the idea of \u201cbacking the best,\u201d asking, \u201cBut how do you know you\u2019re backing the best if you haven\u2019t looked at everyone?\u201d He added, \u201cYou become diverse when you\u2019re open to the best ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n Panelists agreed that connecting founders to customers and networks is just as vital as connecting them to capital. Clements likened current practices to \u201cfishing from one corner of the pond,\u201d urging investors to widen their scope.\u00a0<\/p>\n Scaling for entrepreneurs: from founder to CEO<\/p>\n The panel of entrepreneurs and business leaders focused on how founders can shift from hands-on operators to strategic leaders. <\/p>\n Marissa Allen of Cookie Society said investing early in production helped maintain consistency and meet rapid demand after being featured on Oprah\u2019s Favorite Things.<\/p>\n Veronica Torres-Hazley shared how pivoting from brick-and-mortar to corporate wellness tripled her business, while Richard Thomas of Present House Hospitality Group advised leaders to \u201chire slow and fire fast,\u201d focusing on culture and systems that scale.<\/p>\n Across the board, panelists agreed that long-term growth isn\u2019t just about speed. It\u2019s about structure, trust, and intentional leadership.<\/p>\n Honoring a \u2018Trailblazer\u2019 in business and community<\/p>\n A highlight of the midday program was the presentation of Impact Ventures\u2019 highest honor\u2014the Trailblazer Award\u2014to Noe Hinojosa Jr., co-founder and CEO of Estrada Hinojosa & Co.<\/p>\n Hinojosa was recognized for more than 30 years of leadership in public finance and community development across North Texas. In the past three years alone, his firm has advised on more than 1,100 transactions totaling $114 billion, including landmark projects like Cowboys Stadium, DFW Airport expansion, and DART rail infrastructure, according to remarks made during the event.<\/p>\n Introducing him, Impact Ventures board member Roy Lopez called Hinojosa a leader who \u201cbuilt pathways where others saw obstacles.\u201d<\/p>\n Accepting the award, Hinojosa reflected on his journey from South Texas to the national stage. \u201cWealth comes in many ways,\u201d he said. \u201cThe most important is family, faith, and the people you lift along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n Centering well-being: Trauma-informed support for founders<\/p>\n A panel of practitioner-leaders from Impact Ventures, Restorative Economics Group, C\u00e1rdenas Coaching, and The BFM Fund explored how founder well-being influences the strength and creativity of the business ecosystem. <\/p>\n Sarah Crane referenced new research<\/a> defining trauma-informed practices as tools for understanding \u201chow lived experience alters the way people see the world\u201d and for building better systems to support them.<\/p>\n Nydia C\u00e1rdenas emphasized managing energy, not just tasks, and creating trust-based engagement with entrepreneurs. Himalaya Rao-Potlapally added that \u201cconnection and funding move at the speed of trust,\u201d stressing that empathy, care, and relationships are forms of capital that can be just as valuable as money.<\/p>\n How blended finance drives community growth<\/p>\n In this panel, local leaders dug into how creative capital stacking is reshaping community development in Dallas.<\/p>\n James Armstrong described blended finance as a way to \u201cspread risk and draw in partners who might otherwise stay on the sidelines,\u201d pointing to real-world projects that merge city funds, philanthropy, and private capital.<\/p>\n Dominique Pryor-Anderson said \u201creal estate and relationships are inseparable,\u201d while Becky Gligo noted success hinges on whether communities see themselves in new developments. Frances Smith-Dean stressed the need for shared expectations among all capital partners.<\/p>\n Panelists agreed that when capital is coordinated with purpose, it becomes a catalyst for growth, resilience, and opportunity.<\/p>\n Inclusive leadership in action<\/p>\n In the closing session, Benjamin Vann and Odessa Jenkins laid out what it takes to lead organizations built on equity, accountability, and long-term vision.<\/p>\n Vann called for closing the distance between investors, system builders, and entrepreneurs, noting that \u201ccommunity impact happens when those worlds align.\u201d<\/p>\n Inclusion is \u201cthe secret sauce\u201d that fuels innovation, Jenkins said, adding that equity \u201cbelongs on the balance sheet\u201d because culture drives performance.<\/p>\n The leaders closed on a note of optimism, saying that progress comes through persistence, transparency, and the courage to lead differently.<\/p>\n Quincy Preston contributed to this report.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss what\u2019s next. Subscribe\u00a0to\u00a0Dallas\u00a0Innovates.<\/p>\n Track Dallas-Fort Worth\u2019s business and innovation landscape with our curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \tR E A D\u00a0\u00a0 N E X T\t<\/p>\n \t North Texas has plenty to see, hear, and watch.\u00a0Here are our editors’ picks. Plus, you’ll find more selections to “save the date.”<\/p>\n \t D CEO and Dallas Innovates have expanded The Innovation Awards 2026 with more individual and company categories this year. Now is your chance to be part of the region\u2019s defining recognition for innovators.<\/p>\n \t Palo Alto, California-based Fiddler AI said its $18.6 million Series B extension brings the round’s total funding to $50 million. The company said the funds will help it “continue to build momentum in AI observability and AI safety.”<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/JPMorgan-CDFI-Impact-Ventures-screenshot-video.jpg\")
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\nState of the capital ecosystem:
Where we\u2019ve been and where we\u2019re going<\/p>\nSpeakers: Enisha Shropshire (CAPEQ), Zach Ellis (South Loop Ventures), Henry Noel Jr. (Boston Impact Initiative Fund), Austin Clements (Slauson & Co.)<\/p>\n
Speakers: Saria Hawkins (Manifest Your Purpose), Marissa Allen (Cookie Society), Veronica Torres-Hazley (Torres Hazley Enterprises), Richard Thomas (Present House Hospitality Group)<\/p>\n
Speakers: Jalyn Gordon (Impact Ventures), Dr. Sarah Crane (Restorative Economics Group), Nydia C\u00e1rdenas (Cardenas Coaching), Himalaya Rao-Potlapally (The BFM Fund)<\/p>\n
Speakers: Frances Smith-Dean (Zan Wesley Holmes Community Outreach Center), James Armstrong (Builders of Hope), Dominique Pryor-Anderson (TREC Community Investors), Becky Gligo (Ft. Worth Community Land Trust)<\/p>\n
Speakers: Benjamin Vann (Impact Ventures), Odessa Jenkins (Women\u2019s National Football Conference)<\/p>\n
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