Ignite Capital

Ignite Capital is a Baltimore-based social enterprise impact investment vehicle, strategically affiliated with Innovation Works. It was established in February 2020 by Innovation Works with a clear and purposeful mission: to invigorate Baltimore's social enterprises located in communities with a history of economic exclusion. By injecting essential social and financial capital into these areas, Ignite Capital spurs economic growth and fosters the redevelopment of neighborhood economies through entrepreneurship. This initiative is grounded in the belief that purpose, passion, and finance are key to nurturing vibrant communities and sustainable businesses. Ignite Capital prioritizes enterprises advancing racial, spatial, and economic equity in Baltimore City. We focus on local leaders who face systemic biases in raising investment and tailor offerings to meet these entrepreneurs where they are with below-market interest rates and diverse financial products. We leverage post-investment support from Innovation Works and connect to later-stage funds to facilitate and sustain growth. Ignite Capital offers stage-appropriate and sector-agnostic financing from the go-to-market stage through post-revenue stage enterprises, minimizing the debt burden for entrepreneurs. We seek to be catalytic by directly crowding in capital from co-investors and more broadly building the field of impact investing.