How many investments has Community Development Venture Capital Alliance made?

Community Development Venture Capital Alliance has 5 tracked investments.

What stage does Community Development Venture Capital Alliance invest at?

Community Development Venture Capital Alliance invests at the Seed, Series A stages.

What sectors does Community Development Venture Capital Alliance focus on?

Community Development Venture Capital Alliance focuses on Impact & Social Good.

Who does Community Development Venture Capital Alliance co-invest with?

Community Development Venture Capital Alliance most often shares deals with BMW i Ventures, Collaborative Fund, Evolution VC Partners, among 16 tracked co-investors.

Community Development Venture Capital Alliance

Impact investor

New York · Seed–Series A · 15 people tracked

Also known as THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT VENTURE CAPITAL ALLIANCE

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Investment thesis

CDVCA serves as the network for the community development venture capital industry. The associated funds provide flexible equity risk capital to businesses located in low-income and distressed communities, with the goal of creating good jobs, building productive wealth, and expanding entrepreneurial capacity to improve the livelihoods of low-income people. As an alliance, CDVCA advances the field through education, networking, dissemination of best practices, improving capital availability, communications, and public policy development.

Invests inImpact & Social Good New York United States

Source: firm website, verified Sep 29, 2026.

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Stage

Seed–Series A

New York, US

Instruments

Equity

AUM

$350M

Tracked investments

Team · 15 people

from the firm's website

Kerwin Tesdell· President· Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, United Kingdomin

President of CDVCA, overseeing the organization's mission to use venture capital tools for community and economic development. Formerly a program officer at the Ford Foundation and an adjunct professor at NYU; holds JD and MBA from NYU and an economics degree from Harvard.

Ernesto Villarini-Baquero· Managing Director· Puerto Rico

Managing Director leading CDVCA's Puerto Rico office, co-managing the $45M Puerto Rico Fund for Growth and directing the Unlock Capital program. Has over 20 years of executive management and entrepreneurship experience and holds doctoral and master's degrees in business administration.

Alexandria Harris· Senior Vice President· Cupertino, California, United Statesin

Attorney and Senior Vice President managing CDVCA's Innovate NY Fund, Puerto Rico Fund for Growth, and New Market Tax Credit allocations, overseeing outreach, due diligence, and investment memoranda. Earned a JD from George Washington University.

Jillian Gerstley· Vice President of Field Building· Rimouski, Quebec, Canadain

Vice President of Field Building and strategic advisor to Unlock Capital, contributing to CDVCA's investment activities. Previously managed impact-focused angel groups and holds a venture capital certificate from Columbia Business School.

Luke Jones· Vice President

Vice President coordinating investment and compliance activities with expertise in federal funding management and public-private financing. Previously a managing consultant at Guidehouse and worked at TruFund Financial Services; holds an MPA from NYU.

David Geeter Alvarez· Program Manager

Program Manager of the Unlock Capital National Capital Readiness Program, with over a decade in business accelerator development and impact investment. A diaspora Puerto Rican, StartX core member, and founding member of the Puerto Rico Impact Investment Network with a Stanford degree in sustainability.

Dorien Nunez· Senior Consultant· New Orleans and Houston

Senior Consultant working on special projects including Unlock Capital cohorts and member recruitment. A longtime Wall Street veteran and economic activist, co-founder of OMNIResearch Group, and Harvard alumnus who earned his CFA in 1986.

Emmanuel Loubriel Carreras· Senior Program Manager· Puerto Rico

Senior Program Manager and CPA, attorney, and Certified Investment Management Analyst. Previously a tax and corporate attorney at Ferraiuoli LLC in Puerto Rico and launched an investment advisory startup; holds a BA and JD from the University of Puerto Rico.

Gina Elizabeth Vriens Baranski· Vice President of Communications· Riverdale, NY

Vice President of Communications leading CDVCA's internal and external communications, including the Field Building and Unlock Capital programs. A former entrepreneur with marketing experience across tech startups and Fortune 500 companies.

Kerstin (Zijia) Du· Analyst

Analyst gathering and analyzing financial and social impact data on CDVCA's investments. Previously worked at an asset management firm, an impact investing firm, and a large pension investor; holds an MS in Actuarial Science from Columbia and the CFA ESG Investing certificate.

Lucciano Diaz-Skoff· Program Manager· Puerto Rico

Program Manager supporting the Unlock Capital Investment Readiness Program, with a decade in engineering, entrepreneurship, and economic development. Author, patent holder, certified personal finance coach, and former project manager for post-hurricane recovery in Puerto Rico.

Maria Roberta Duarte Miranda· Program Administrator· Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, United Kingdomin

Program Administrator for the Unlock Capital Program supporting both the Puerto Rico cohort and national Capital Readiness Program, ensuring compliance and monitoring program data. Previously a Principal at JumpStart Inc. and a graduate of Mount Holyoke College.

Mark Wilson· Entrepreneur in Residence· US - Atlantain

Entrepreneur in Residence supporting CDVCA activities including the Unlock Capital program. Founded and sold RYLA Teleservices and Chime Solutions, raising over $250M and creating thousands of jobs in marginalized communities.

Olivia Al· Venture Associate· New York, New York, United Statesin

Venture Associate contributing to the Unlock Capital program and supporting CDVCA's investment research and due diligence. Previously a fellow at an early-stage venture fund and an investment reporting associate at a private credit firm; holds a finance degree from American University.

Salvatore Virgadaula· CFO

Part-time CFO with CDVCA since 2003, handling accounting, financial reporting, audits, and debt compliance across CDVCA and its subsidiaries. Previously worked at Kiwi Partners and as an auditor at Ernst & Young.

What they invest in

from 3 of 5 portfolio companies

Advanced Manufacturing ×2Circular Economy ×2Cleantech ×2Climate Tech ×2New Materials ×2Consumer ×1Direct to Consumer ×1FoodTech ×1

HQs:United States×3

Investments · 5 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

88 Acres88acres.com in

88 Acres makes seed-based food products such as seed butters and granola/protein bars, using roasted seeds and simple ingredients.

ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTechBoston, US

Rob Dalton(Founder)in

Co-investorsCEI Ventures Maroon Venture Partners Fund Boston Impact Initiative (BII)

Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.nfw.earth in 𝕏

NFW (Natural Fiber Welding) develops plant-based, plastic-free materials including a leather alternative (MIRUM), engineered textiles (CLARUS), footwear outsoles (PLIANT), and biobased foam (TUNERA) for use by fashion, footwear, and consumer brands.

Advanced ManufacturingCircular EconomyCleantechClimate TechNew MaterialsPeoria, US

Luke Haverhals(Founder and Chemist)inLuke Haverhals, Ph.D.(Founder)Steve Zika(Co-Founder, CEO)inRob Salter(CFO)inRobert E. Turner(Director)Rob Goldman(Executive Officer)

Co-investorsAsahi Kasei Corporate Venture Capital BMW i Ventures Collaborative Fund Ethos VC Evolution VC Partners Gaingels +9 more

Nature Coatingsnaturecoatingsinc.com inJan 2023

Nature Coatings makes BioBlack, a biobased pigment that serves as a nontoxic, sustainably-sourced alternative to carbon black for use in textiles, cosmetics, asphalt, and other industrial applications.

Advanced ManufacturingCircular EconomyCleantechClimate TechNew MaterialsLas Vegas, US

S. Jane Palmer(Jane is the chief executive officer of the corporation.)in Jane Palmer(Founder & CEO)inKevin Bratcher(President & COO)inJames Palmer(Director)

Co-investorsChrysalix E8 Angels Portfolia Regeneration.VC Safer Made Apex Black +2 more

Other

Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.

Journey FoodsRepurpose

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has Community Development Venture Capital Alliance made?: Community Development Venture Capital Alliance has 5 tracked investments.
What stage does Community Development Venture Capital Alliance invest at?: Community Development Venture Capital Alliance invests at the Seed, Series A stages.
What sectors does Community Development Venture Capital Alliance focus on?: Community Development Venture Capital Alliance focuses on Impact & Social Good.
Where is Community Development Venture Capital Alliance located?: Community Development Venture Capital Alliance is headquartered in New York, US.
Who does Community Development Venture Capital Alliance co-invest with?: Community Development Venture Capital Alliance most often shares deals with BMW i Ventures, Collaborative Fund, Evolution VC Partners, among 16 tracked co-investors.

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