Investment Themes and Criteria
Investment Themes
Investment themes will fall into two separate but connected spheres: Social Impact and Environmental Impact. We selected these themes with a singular goal of achieving sustainable, long-term positive impact. Chosen to maximize our impact today, these themes will evolve as new and better solutions become available from our entrepreneurs.
| Pillar | Investment Themes |
| Climate Solutions and the Environment |
Renewable & Clean Energy |
| Racial and Gender Equality |
Women and People of Color Entrepreneurs and Owners |
| Community Wealth Building | Quality Jobs Education / Early Childhood Development Health & Wellness / Nutrition Access to Fair and Affordable Capital / Financial Inclusion Affordable Housing / Homeownership Assistance Community Economic Development Microfinance Arts & Creativity |
Investment Criteria
- Fit: Entrepreneurial concept must meet investment themes with potential to achieve measurable social and/or environmental benefits in the community
- People: Passionate entrepreneurs with desire to make a social impact
- Stage: Idea, working prototype, go-to-market
- Sectors: Any sector that provides social and/or environmental impact
- Location: Dallas/Fort Worth
- Capital: Typical financing of $5,000 - $50,000
Deal Screening and Due Diligence
The screening and review process ensures investments meet the fund objectives and reduce investment risk.
Investment Allocation
Companies selected for investment will be evaluated to determine their development stage and assign the amount of funding, education, mentorship and support needed to promote their success. Allocations will be approved at CCPA Division level and then by Meadows’ Director of Business and Finance.
| Development Stage | Description | Investment Goal | Resources | Funding Target |
| Idea Stage | The initial stage of a project; it is the business idea and the development of a product or service. This level is for startups that have an idea that shows a high potential of social impact per the investment themes. |
Provide entrepreneurship education, resources and mentoring for the startup to conduct primary research (customer discovery and customer validation) to prove that there is a product/market fit for the product or service. |
|
$5,000-$25,000 |
| Early Growth Stage | In this stage the startup already shows some evidence of a product/market fit in areas covered in the investment themes. Some initial customers and/or market traction can be demonstrated, and the product or service begins to make improvements and become more competitive. |
Provide entrepreneurship education, resources and mentoring for the startup to refine the product/MVP, grow the team, create more demand, and start to scale. |
|
$25,000-$50,000 |