Thread Capital is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a subsidiary of the Rural Center that specializes in small business loans for businesses who have typically encountered barriers in accessing capital. Thread was founded in 2018 on the belief that everyone in North Carolina who has a viable idea for a business that they want to start or grow, should have the resources they need to thrive. Their mission is to provide capital, coaching, and connections to small businesses who have traditionally had challenges accessing resources. Their specific focus is on small businesses that are owned by people of color, women, low-income individuals, and rural-based individuals. Thread is committed to creating a more robust, inclusive ecosystem, crafting a new era of entrepreneurship across the state of North Carolina, one that gives everyone an opportunity to achieve their small business dreams.