WE RETHINK DEVELOPMENT
WITH DATA AND NEW INCENTIVES
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES
Our primary objectives by performing development services are to be:
- A market alterative to mainstream financiers in our communities
- A market catalyst to innovation from disadvantaged communities and founders
- Scale for lasting market impact and economic return for our portfolio investments and their communities
- A community quarterback, uniquely positioned to bring key public and private stakeholders together
- A key technology advisor to regional banks, asset managers, community organizations, and corporations
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The Company’s community development approach includes:
- Strong representative real asset and digital asset projects
- Innovation that brings people together
- Physical and digital community centers where voices are heard
- Government incentives to enhance social and financial return
The goal is to build up opportunities for businesses, leaders, and real asset owners, all the way down to the neighborhood level, where cultural norms are formed. This approach and mindset is the belief that it takes a village to lift a person up, and that this leads to increased civic engagement. By filling the gaps of civic engagement, we can develop communities from inside-out. We can change first how people feel about themselves, then what ideas and visions they have for their communities, and thirdly what resources are needed to be developed and implemented.
Community Advisors Network
Conscious Markets is building a network of Community Advisors, key leaders we identify from deals and neighborhoods we participate in. This Community Advisors Network (CAN) will work autonomously to meet the intended purpose. These individuals will be the local leaders who help us uncover each neighborhood’s strengths and problems, working side by side with residents to connect them with their neighbors and develop a plan to advance their area. From this process, we identify hidden gems, projects with high potential that may be shovel-ready and suitable for government incentive programs, as well as local vendors and developers.
PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT
Venture Advisor Network
Many companies face a tough time between prototyping and scaling – the so called “stagnation chasm”, where companies and projects tend to face inadequate funding, talent gap, and fragmented ecosystems. We will launch a web platform where small businesses in/outside of our portfolio can ask questions to venture professionals and connect for opportunities. Our seasoned experience as venture advisors includes helping companies with getting through:
- Business development, networking, franchising and commercialization
- Professionalizing, developing front and back offices
- Corporate governance and board advisory
- Programs and grants advisory
- Digital transformation and marketing
- Investor relations and long-term capital planning
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
As advocates of technology for the reduction of disparities found across sectors of society, we assist both early stage and mature organizations with mapping out and executing technology adoption strategies.
Examples of companies we selectively work with:
- Community, regional, and national banks and credit unions
- Asset managers looking to improve their impact measurement and management and impact investment strategy, technology and/or processes
- Licensed lenders such as community development financial institutions (CDFIs)
- Mature companies with existing technology looking to further develop, commercialize, monetize and capitalize these assets and/or further social impact
- Companies suitable to expand their impact with technology, such as save costs or better serve customers by adopting technology
- Stakeholders of program related-investments
Technology Partnership Banking
Technology partnership banking is a way of significantly increasing a financial lender’s revenues and product offerings – bringing old systems into completely new technologies that provide opportunities for new products.
According to a Cornerstone study, as of 2021 14 million+ US citizens (6% of the adult population) use digital-only banking products as their sole source of banking. According to a Plaid Research study, ~90% of US citizens have at least one fintech mobile app.
Our partners and management team have a combined 50 years of technology training and advisory experience, as well as 30 years of investment banking and community advisory experience. The approach is why our internal IT operations are lean and scalable, and we are developing innovative connectivity to impact and financial data regarding portfolio concerns. Our services include:
- Act as an advisor and/or manager for technology investments for banks, credit unions, and fund managers across the country, including assessment and introduction of opportunities for integration or investment
- Provide long-term support and development for technology solutions for our clients and partners, enabling us to directly impact the small business loan market, and in some cases directly participate
- Help with long term integrations, customer acquisitions, and technical support