We really looked to the company, Working Assets, for our model. Working Assets is a purpose driven for profit that found a way to support progressive causes. So, the founders came up with financial products they could sell, made alot of money, and earmarked a portion of their profits to donate to non-profits.

Indigo Financiera mimics this model. We make money from our basic financial services, earmark a portion of the profits to fund the company's foundation. The Foundation is then able to make investments. Unlike a traditional venture fund which has to go raise money from limited partners, Indigo's fund has one 'LP', the corporation itself. Since it's set up as a 501 c(3), it doesn't have to produce a return to the parent company.

The customers help to indirectly create this fund by purchasing Indigo's products and services. The customers have a longer term financial incentive to prefer Indigo over other competitors because Indigo is creating a pool of investment capital for them in the long run.

This is the model we've worked out so far. Of course, the devil's in the details and we'll see how it evolves as we work with our community partners.

Margarita Quihuis
Founder, www.indigofinanciera.com
Co-Founder, TechPlaza Ventures, www.techplaza.typepad.com