“Entrepreneurs often face barriers to obtain the capital they need for their business growth. Some are simply too small to qualify for traditional loans. Others lack the financial literacy to navigate the system. Even internet access can be a barrier, as it is not always reliable in rural communities. Non-traditional financing, like crowd-lending, can help overcome those roadblocks and give entrepreneurs the chance to grow.”
Ana María Cintrón is helping rejuvenate entrepreneurship and innovation throughout the island of Puerto Rico.
Ana María is the founder and executive director of Causa Local, a non-profit that provides financing to small business owners in Puerto Rico, particularly those serving low-income communities, led by women. Under her direction, Causa Local has financed over 200 small business owners in Puerto Rico, and raised over $250,000 in KIVA matching funds for small businesses, among other purposes; leading a local economic impact of over $1.5M in PR.
Prior to her work at Causa Local, Ana María served as portfolio director at a local non-profit, and had collaborated for years with small businesses by facilitating non-traditional business development support. She also worked at traditional banks that serve the island—which have consolidated in recent years--and as an auditor for Deloitte.
Organization
Causa Local, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Area of Focus
Alternative models for small business financing and business development
Fellowship Project
Build on successful KIVA lending program in order to bring crowd-lending to rural Puerto Rico, educate, and connect small business owners in under-banked communities to the broader economy.