“Small businesses fuel our economy in Colorado. It has been a great privilege to help those companies gain access to capital that allows them to start, grow and thrive,” says Prinster. “I am humbled by this honor and thrilled to be part of the vibrant, innovative and entrepreneurial business community here in Colorado.” David E. Bailey was Prinster’s boss at her first job as a small business lender at United Bank of Denver over 30 years ago, and was instrumental in helping her realize her passion for assisting entrepreneurs and small businesses. Prinster adds, “In a time when the finance industry was heavily dominated by men, he was a supportive and encouraging manager who was particularly helpful to women seeking careers in banking.”
CEF is a non-profit lending source specializing in loans for small businesses and startups in the state of Colorado. CEF provides access to capital that impacts rural and urban communities in a unique way since their business customers create products and services that generate employment and economic development. CEF’s lending programs touch various industries, business sizes, and locations in the state, making the nonprofit invaluable to business communities. The organization’s lending guidelines are more flexible than traditional banks and it offers free business consulting services to all loan recipients, providing borrowers with the tools they need to help them succeed. For more information about CEF businesses and their success stories, visit: https://coloradoenterprisefund.org/meet-our-clients/.
An annual event, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Business Awards celebrate organizations from across the region that are leading in their field and making an impact in the community – writing the area’s next chapter as a great community to live and do business. Other 2018 award recipients include: Coffee at The Point (Small Business); Hotel Engine (Start-Up Business); Gleam Car Wash (Green Business); Food for Thought (Small Nonprofit); Denver Urban Scholars (Large Nonprofit); and, Emergenetics International (Minority or Woman-Owned).
About Colorado Enterprise Fund
Founded in1976, Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF) provides loans up to $500,000 to finance small businesses and start-ups unable to obtain funding through traditional banks. CEF has dispersed over $75 million in startup and growth capital to almost 2,000 businesses, and created or retained more than 18,000 jobs in the state. A non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), CEF is based in Denver with lending services available statewide.