CORi - Sorenson Impact Foundation

CORI

The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) launched the CORI Innovation Fund(CIF) to invest in growth businesses located in rural Opportunity Zones. CIF seeks attractive technology-enabled operating startups in rural geographies, which are under-served by traditional venture capital institutions. We identify, fund, and support the best and most innovative tech entrepreneurs in rural America, enhancing economic growth and tech job creation in small communities across the United States.

CIF invests in early-stage technology businesses located in, or willing to relocate to a rural Opportunity Zone. In general, we fund companies that are generating revenue and need capital for their plans to scale significantly over time. As a Qualified Opportunity Fund, we invest only in equity and typically in a company’s seed round. We can act either as a lead investor or as a participant in a funding round.