Rural Entrepreneurs

Rural Business & Entrepreneur Support

We believe rural residents are innovative idea-makers with the potential to positively impact their communities and the world. But agribusinesses and rural entrepreneurs need capital to bring their ideas to life. That can be hard to come by when geographically isolated from the traditional resources businesses and startups rely on.

Congress saw the need for capital investments in rural areas and established the Rural Business Investment Program in 2002. We participate alongside other Farm Credits, banks and private investors to promote economic development and job creation in rural America through our Rural Business Investment Company (RBIC) commitments.

We’ve invested in businesses covering food production, animal agriculture, input suppliers, ag biotechnology, equipment innovations and more. Each champions rural and ag entrepreneurs, bringing solutions to unmet needs including critical issues like farm safety, rural health care and rural broadband.

Types of RBIC Investments

• Venture funds help entrepreneurs scale their business and bring products to market.
• Growth stage funds provide capital to more mature businesses to finance new projects, complete acquisitions or create a path to retirement.

Contact us today if you’re a rural business owner along the food, fuel and fiber value chain in need of capital to see if RBIC funding is right for you.