Women's Venture Fund

The Women's Venture Fund (WVF) is a nonprofit organization established in 1994 to support women in launching and growing businesses within urban communities. WVF offers a range of services, including entrepreneurial training, technical assistance, advisory services, and small loans, aiming to foster economic development and self-sufficiency among women entrepreneurs. Over the years, the organization has assisted more than 17,000 firms and helped launch over 3,200 small businesses.

WVF focuses on providing resources tailored to the unique challenges faced by women in business, offering workshops, events, and micro-loan applications to foster growth and development. Their commitment to building a supportive community is evident through their success stories and initiatives designed to inspire and promote women in business. The organization is a Certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), enabling it to offer financial products and services to underserved communities.

The organization's founder, Maria Otero, Esq., launched the Women's Venture Fund in 1996 with the idea that women could succeed as entrepreneurs when they had access to credit and resources. She has been instrumental in shaping the organization's mission and services, serving as a speaker at forums focused on issues affecting minorities and women's economic development. Under her leadership, WVF has expanded its reach and impact, continuing to empower women entrepreneurs across various industries and stages of business development.