The Hoop Fund

The Hoop Fund was an innovative crowdfunding platform that combined micro-loans, social technology, and media to build relationships between consumers & the people who make or grow their favorite products. Launched in August 2010, the Hoop Fund featured leading Fair Trade and organic products and producers from around the world. The Hoop Fund was featured at the 2010 Social Capital conference (SOCAP) and was backed by angel investors such as Kevin Jones, First Light Ventures, and Hub Ventures.

Role: CEO and co-founder

Raised angel funding, recruited team members, and contracted developers. Architected, designed, and led the development of the Hoop’s crowdfunding technology. Conducted product experiments and tested business models to increase project funding and company revenue. Negotiated partnerships with Fair Trade and ethical brands to create a marketplace of high-impact projects and products from communities around the world.

Key Skills: Startup founder, product management, fundraising, business development, business modeling, product design, user experience,  user testing, team management.

Location(s): Based in San Francisco, CA with crowdfunding projects in Cambodia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Iraq, Peru, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda and the U.S.

The Hoop Fund

Funding a project for One Mango Tree in Uganda.

Helping Alter Eco’s cocoa suppliers diversify their income.