Our Story
Passion Ventures began with a simple dream: to reach beyond our local community and help address the immense, pressing needs in the developing world. But starting out, we didn't know anyone in those regions. We began reaching out to friends who had lived and worked abroad, especially entrepreneurs, to learn how we could focus on economic empowerment.
Driven by Values, Sustained by Business Skills
It is one thing to be motivated by values, but lasting change requires practical business skills. If a woman working in a red-light district wants to build a new life, she needs tangible skills and a reliable job to pull herself and her children out of that situation. We set out to find entrepreneurs willing to live in these target communities and build brick-and-mortar businesses to serve the people around them.
Catalyst for the Early Days
When we spoke to our entrepreneur friends abroad, they shared a consistent struggle: accessing initial capital. To get started, many wiped out their savings, borrowed from friends and family, and even slept in their offices. What they needed most was someone to believe in them and take a chance with them at the very beginning. We realized: we can do that!
A Global Fellowship
Because we lacked direct local networks across the developing world, we created an open fellowship program where entrepreneurs anywhere, regardless of nationality, could apply for funding. Today, our application process is rigorous, and we are deeply proud of the Fellows who have partnered with us, leaders who are now doing life-changing work in their communities every day.
Why “Passion”?
Why “Ventures”?
In its deepest sense, passion goes beyond emotion. It signifies an unwavering commitment to love and serve others, no matter the personal cost. We seek leaders whose passion drives tangible economic transformation in underserved communities.
A venture is a bold and courageous undertaking. Our Fellows bravely venture into the early, uncertain stages of launching self-sustaining organizations, relocating or staying to serve their intended communities directly.