SheEO

SheEO, which rebranded as Coralus in July 2022, operates as a global non-profit organization with a mission to restructure the financing ecosystem for female and non-binary entrepreneurs. Founded in 2015 by Vicki Saunders, the Toronto-based organization was born from her realization of the systemic bias in venture capital, where female-founded startups received disproportionately low funding. Saunders, a serial entrepreneur with a history of starting businesses in Europe and Canada, including Canada's first incubator, drew upon her extensive experience to create a new model. Her upbringing on a family farm instilled a problem-solving and iterative mindset, which has been a cornerstone of her entrepreneurial journey.

The organization's business model is centered on a concept termed "radical generosity." It operates by creating a perpetual fund through community-based fundraising. In each region, Coralus recruits a cohort of "Activators," who each contribute a set amount, for instance, $1,100 in some campaigns. This capital is pooled to create a fund that provides zero-interest loans to a select number of ventures. The selection process is democratic, with the Activators themselves voting to choose the recipient businesses. To be eligible, ventures must be led and majority-owned by women or non-binary individuals and have a minimum annual revenue, such as $50,000. The loans are structured with a five-year repayment plan in 20 equal installments. A key feature of this model is that the repaid capital is not returned to the Activators but is reinvested back into the perpetual fund to support future cohorts of entrepreneurs, creating a self-sustaining financial ecosystem.

Coralus serves women and non-binary-led businesses that often face barriers in traditional funding channels. The focus is on ventures that are working on what the organization calls the "World's To-Do List," which aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. This means the supported businesses typically have a strong social or environmental impact mission, addressing issues like sustainable menstrual products, inclusive eyewear, and digital mental health services for underserved communities. Beyond just capital, the organization provides a comprehensive support network. Ventures gain access to the Activators' collective knowledge, professional networks, and mentorship, creating an "ask/give ecosystem" that fosters collaboration and guidance. Since its inception, Coralus has expanded its operations from Canada to the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, with a 95% payback rate on its loans.

Keywords: impact investing, women entrepreneurs, non-binary founders, social enterprise funding, perpetual fund, zero-interest loans, community-based finance, radical generosity, venture philanthropy, female-led businesses, sustainable development goals, crowd-lending, inclusive economy, founder support network, peer-to-peer lending, social impact ventures, global entrepreneurship community, alternative finance, ecosystem building, regenerative capital