Guide Note

Kiva Loans is a service that provides capital to entrepreneurs in developing countries. The stated mission of the company is to "...connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty."¹ The organization is structured so that individuals from all over the world can lend to entrepreneurs in developing countries.

Fast Facts:

1. Website: Kiva.org
2. Entrepreneurs are profiled on the site
3. Investors have the ability to invest and track repayment via the website
4. Minimum investment: $25
5. Average loan request is $650²
6. 80% of lenders are from the United States²
7. Terms: Usually 6-12 months
8. Founders: Matt and Jessica Flannery
9. Founded in 2005
10. President: Premal Shah
11. CFO: Jen Hamilton
12. Kiva had nearly 270,000 investors as of May 2008³
13. Borrowers: 40,000 as of May 2008⁴
14. $27 million in funding has been provided⁵
15. Lender's are not allowed to charge interest