Capital to start , grow and move your business forward
Up to $15,000. 0% Interest. $0 Fees. 100% opportunity.
ZERO connects entrepreneurs across Puerto Rico to accessible small business financing through Kiva, with support from Friends of Puerto Rico and the Metro Women’s Business Center.
ZERO by Friends of Puerto Rico is a capital-access initiative led by the Metro Women’s Business Center in partnership with Kiva.
Kiva provides the 0%-interest, zero-fee lending model. Friends of Puerto Rico serves as a Kiva Trustee, providing entrepreneur support at no charge. 0% interest. 100% opportunity.
Entrevista en Noticentro al Amanecer de ZERO y Metro Women's Business Center
Access capital. Build your future
ZERO provides access and support but does not guarantee financing. Kiva determines loan eligibility, approval, amounts, crowdfunding requirements and repayment terms. Future financing is subject to each financial institution’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. Kiva financing is a loan, not a grant, and must be repaid.
Built for Entrepreneurs. Focused on Opportunity
Access to capital is one of the biggest barriers to starting and growing a small business.
ZERO is designed to help change that.
Kiva provides the 0%-interest, zero-fee lending model, while Friends of Puerto Rico provides Trustee support at no cost to entrepreneurs.
0% interest
Without collateral or traditional guarantees
Network of Lenders
Finance from all over the world
Personalized Support
We help you build your track record
How ZERO Works
Start with us
Get Support
Apply through Kiva
Fund your business
Build your track record
Your business. Your next step.
Help build Puerto Rico’s next generation of capital-ready businesses.
ZERO brings together banks, credit unions, community lenders, corporations, foundations, municipalities and economic-development organizations to expand pathways to capital.
Partners can contribute through:
- Entrepreneur referrals
- Financial Education
- Technical assistance
- Scholarships Mentroship
- Community Outreach
- Future Financing Opportunities
Your business. Your next step.
Help build Puerto Rico’s next generation
of capital-ready businesses.
- Entrepreneur referrals
- Financial Education
- Technical assistance
- Scholarships Mentroship
- Community Outreach
- Future Financing Opportunities
For financial institutions, ZERO provides an opportunity to engage entrepreneurs earlier, support their development and build relationships with businesses that may become candidates for larger financing as they grow.
The ZERO Capital Pathway
Up to $15,000 • 0% interest • $0 fees
Trustee support • Business development • Capital readiness
COMMUNITY + FINANCIAL PARTNERS
Education • Mentorship • Resources • Relationships
NEXT-STAGE CAPITAL
Preparation for larger traditional financing opportunities
Frequently asked questions
Zero is a program of Friends of Puerto Rico and Metro Women's Business Center that connects eligible entrepreneurs to community-funded small business loans and pairs financing with structured preparation, trustee support, business counseling, fundraising guidance, and post-loan follow-up.
It means you only pay back exactly what you borrowed. Eligible participants can access loans through Kiva at 0% interest with absolutely no hidden fees, origination charges, or compounding interest, subject to Kiva's terms and process.
Entrepreneurs who meet the criteria established by the Zero Program and Kiva’s minimum eligibility requirements, which include:
Being 18+ years old, having a business operating for at least 3 years in the U.S. or Puerto Rico, not currently being in bankruptcy, and using the funds solely for business purposes.
For our Pilot Cohort (October–December 2026), which is designed to validate the program with selected entrepreneurs from our MWBC and RESPOND initiatives, the preparation fee is completely waived.
Starting with our Open Implementation (January 2027), the program will require a preparation fee. This administrative fee covers your comprehensive support journey: in-depth business diagnostics, evaluations, specialized workshops, group mentoring, and complete profile preparation.
Please note that while this fee guarantees your extensive training and loan-readiness, it does not guarantee the final approval of the funds, as that is subject to the lending platform's independent criteria.
You can take the first step by filling out our official registration form here.
Please keep in mind our program's rollout phases: we are currently running a closed Pilot Phase (through December 2026). Any applications submitted now will be waitlisted and considered for our Open Implementation phase, which will officially welcome new participants starting in February 2027.
You can join the Zero Circle and lend directly to the campaigns of participating entrepreneurs on Kiva. You can make an impact by funding a loan with as little as $25. Once the entrepreneur repays the loan, you get your money back to lend again or withdraw.
No. The Zero Circle is open to anyone who wants to make a difference. Individuals, businesses, and institutions can all join and support our local entrepreneurs.