The Two Organizations are Teaming up to Help Change the Game for Local, Women-owned Small Businesses
The Los Angeles Sparks and Lendistry announced today that they are launching a three-year, mission-driven partnership as the WNBA season tips off this May, making Lendistry the Official Small Business Lender of the Sparks. The fintech will work with the Sparks to develop activities at games this summer designed to highlight the importance of supporting small businesses, including a contest to nominate and honor small businesses throughout L.A. The contest winners will be honored via social media vignettes showcasing their businesses and personal stories, and will be celebrated live in-game during a Small Business Theme Night on August 28.
The partnership kicks off this month with Lendistry’s “Small Business Summer” campaign, which will feature the fintech’s local Los Angeles customers on social media. A selection of these customers will also be featured at Sparks home games. Visit smallbusinesssummer.com for more information.
“We are thrilled to partner with Lendistry to celebrate local and women-owned businesses throughout the Los Angeles area,” said Sparks President Christine Monjer. “Small business ownership is so important to our community, and having the support of dedicated Sparks fans will amplify this partnership and benefit local entrepreneurs in an impactful way.”
“We’re so excited to partner with our home team, the Sparks, because, like us, they play to win,” said Leeann Lynch, Chief Strategy Officer at Lendistry. “And the most important part of winning is using your power to empower. We hope that through this partnership we will get Sparks fans fired up about supporting the entrepreneurs in their local communities and show local business owners that the right financing at the right time can help them make their dreams a reality.”
ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES SPARKS
Founded in 1996, the Los Angeles Sparks are one of three original franchises in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Sparks have won three WNBA Championships (2001, 2002, 2016), and have qualified for the playoffs in 20 of their 27 seasons. The Los Angeles Sparks are dedicated to ensuring each home game at Crypto.com Arena has a championship-level entertainment experience while showcasing the best female athletes from around the world on the court.
ABOUT LENDISTRY
B.S.D. Capital, Inc. dba Lendistry (lendistry.com) is a minority-led fintech that provides innovative lending products and access to grant programs for small businesses nationwide. Headquartered in a Los Angeles Opportunity Zone, Lendistry uses technology and community partnerships to overcome systemic gaps that inhibit access to capital, and to empower its customers with responsible financing options. Based on its reputation for deploying funds efficiently and equitably, Lendistry’s leadership is often called upon to share their expertise with both government and private organizations. Lendistry has both Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Community Development Entity (CDE) certifications and is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. Lendistry SBLC, LLC is an SBA Preferred Lender and the nation’s only African American-led SBA designated Small Business Lending Company. In collaboration with The Center by Lendistry, a nonprofit business education organization, Lendistry dedicates itself to providing economic opportunities and progressive growth for underserved urban and rural small business borrowers and their communities.
