Back to the Bodega and Small Family Farms: Where Does Catalytic Capital Fit In?

Social entrepreneurs and investors generally agree that the industrialization of agriculture has wreaked havoc on human health, the environment, and community ecosystems. Yet, those with boots on the ground employing nature-based climate strategies and growing economic prosperity in their communities tend to be overlooked and/or undervalued by allocators.

James Grevious is the founder of several BIPOC food justice-related businesses and non-profit organizations that serve Aurora, Colorado, a part of Denver plagued by food deserts. James’ leadership, creativity, collaboration, and grit have impacted his community in deep and diverse ways; for instance, non-chemical local food production, community and backyard gardens, local CSA infrastructure, collaborations with commercial kitchens, a farm incubator, retail space for local entrepreneurs, land access for new-farmers and value-added product entrepreneurs, and youth development.

Can catalytic capital scale the impact that James is having within his community and what model of community-based returns/reinvestment would encourage allocator engagement?

This session will be a moderated conversation between James and an impact investor selected by SOCAP25 Content Staff. It will start with brief introductions and then a short pitch by James on how catalytic capital could boost his successes. The impact investor would tease out more information from James that he might not know was relevant. The moderator would step in when needed to ask the audience to clarify terms, address communication disconnects, and offer redirects/suggestions.