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Michael Belles

Michael Belles

Co‑Founder at Catalyze — expanding capital access for diverse fund managers.

michaelbelles
Atlanta, Georgia
Denver, Colorado
Joined November 2025
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Network

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Innovative Finance Initiative
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Catalyze

Summary

Leader focused on democratizing access to capital: As co‑founder of Catalyze, Michael has centered his work on supporting first‑time and underrepresented fund managers (‘capital entrepreneurs’) through fellowship programs, flexible financing (e.g., GP Runway Fund), convenings, and partnerships aimed at shifting who controls capital and how it flows. catalyze+2
Practitioner and writer on innovative finance (especially revenue‑based financing): Michael co‑authored analysis and practical resources (Innovative Finance Playbook and a Nowak Lab newsletter) that promote alternatives to the traditional debt/equity binary — notably revenue‑based financing (RBF) — and helps CDFIs and mission‑driven capital providers pilot and adopt these products. innovative+1
Hands‑on experience in community lending and small‑business finance: Prior roles at DreamSpring and other impact organizations give Michael practical lending and client‑facing experience with small businesses and community finance, informing his current work designing capital products and programs for underserved entrepreneurs. dreamspring+1

Work

Education

Projects

Writing

Innovative Capital for Small Businesses: The Rise of Revenue Based Financing

January 1, 2024

A Nowak Metro Finance Lab newsletter / report co‑authored with Michael Belles and others that examines revenue‑based financing (RBF) as an alternative capital product for small businesses and CDFIs, provides a framework for RBF adoption, and shares peer‑group findings and case studies.

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Innovative Finance Playbook (contributors' materials)

November 1, 2022

Contributor materials and resources compiled in the Innovative Finance Playbook, documenting emerging capital models and practical guidance for investors, CDFIs, and fund managers.

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