Start a business in downtown Cambridge

Cambridge Venture Capital Fund I, LLC

Cambridge entrepreneurs could receive $50,000 in assistance through new venture capital fund

Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? Dreaming of opening a retail shop? You may qualify for up to $50,000 in assistance from the Cambridge Venture Capital Fund I, LLC, formed in 2012 by local businesspeople. The funds are available to entrepreneurs hoping to open retail shops (sorry, no restaurants) in the core of downtown Cambridge on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

Highlights:
• Low-interest loans or other assistance up to $50,000 per entrepreneur.
• Funds can be used for inventory, building improvements, signage, marketing, point of sale systems, and more.
• The Venture Capital Fund also offers advice and guidance from a seasoned businessperson.

Guidelines:
• Entrepreneur must develop a business plan and present it to the members of the Cambridge Venture Capital Fund.
• Entrepreneur must be able to provide 10 percent of the capital. So if you're applying for $50,000, you need to have $5,000 in hand.
• Only retail businesses will be considered. Sorry, no restaurants or service businesses.
• Retail concept should be something that fills a need in the existing retail scene in downtown Cambridge. A few ideas:

  • Children's clothing
  • Women's clothing
  • Men's clothing
  • Toys
  • Shoes
  • Cards
  • Sporting goods
  • Jewelry
  • Antiques
  • Flowers
  • Home decor
  • Furnishings

• Must be a new business, not a new location; not an expansion of an existing business.
• The Cambridge Venture Capital Fund will consider plans for retail businesses on these streets:

  • 300 block of High Street
  • 500 block of Poplar Street
  • 400 and 500 blocks of Race Street


To get started, call Brett Summers at 202.315.1108.