New name, same purpose:

Mill Cities Community Investments + Foundation for Business Equity have become Nectar Community Investments.

Nectar Residential Logo

Nectar Logomark

How we support small business owners in Massachusetts and Rhode Island

With advisory services, capital and access to procurement opportunities, Nectar takes a holistic approach to supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners. Our commitment to innovation and flexibility means that we meet you where you are, share your dreams and help you transform those visions into reality.

Financing

Our small business lending team focuses on underrepresented entrepreneurs in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, working one-on-one with you and helping you find the right financing opportunity for your company. We offer competitive, flexible debt and equity products and a range of support services.

  • Small Business Loans

    Commercial loans for startups and expanding businesses throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Through dedicated loan funds, we also support businesses in Haverhill, Lawrence, Lynn and Salem, MA.

  • Business Equity Investment Fund

    Support for business owners through patient, longer-term capital.

  • Accounts Receivable Financing

    Financing for businesses seeking to turn unpaid invoices into capital.

Support Services

Thanks to the work of our long-term partners and our dedicated staff, we provide your business with what you need to stabilize and grow, depending on the current stage of your company.

  • Business Equity Initiative (BEI)

    BEI is Nectar’s flagship strategic advisory program. This award-winning, high-touch program uses a tailored approach to support Black- and Latinx-owned businesses as they plan for and drive sustainable growth.

  • BEI for Diverse Developers

    We’re proud to partner with the City of Boston on this advisory program, which assists developers in both building capacity and accessing capital. BEI for Diverse Developers is geared toward those selected for the City of Boston’s Welcome Home Program.

  • Technical Assistance

    We offer counseling to business planning, financial projections, and loan readiness to all our loan applicants and borrowers. Assistance is available in English and Spanish.

Stronger together

We’re fierce advocates at the state and regional level to improve the small business ecosystem. And successful advocacy comes through connection, which is why we regularly convene effective, multiracial coalitions to remove the most critical barriers to capital and access. Working together, we have the capacity to propel businesses forward and create healthy, thriving neighborhoods.

How we’re making a difference for small businesses

$15.3M

in flexible financing for small businesses

157

commercial loans in the past 9 years, 87% to small businesses of color

115

BEI participants across 19 cohorts since 2017

500+

businesses supported through loan technical assistance in the past 2.5 years

New name, same purpose

Mill Cities Community Investments + Foundation for Business Equity have become Nectar Community Investments. Our name might be new, but our history of helping our neighbors goes back to 2008.