The Concept

We know it’s important to “buy local.”

What if we could also invest locally?

LION – the Local Investment Opportunities Network – connects local investors in the Madison, Wisconsin area with local business owners who need capital. It’s not a venture fund. Or a bank. Or an investment club. Or a financial institution of any kind.

LION is simply a way to connect local investors with local businesses that need loans. It’s a potent alternative to Wall Street, and a way for everyday folks like you and me to keep more of our money circulating in Dane County, stimulating our local economy.

For businesses, LION is an alternative to banks or other commercial lenders. The post-recession credit market has tightened, and LION offers businesses an alternative to borrow money from those who are your neighbors, customers, and others interested in your success.

For investors, LION is a way to see where your money is going, and who it is helping. It enables you to invest in what you know and can see, in the local businesses that make Madison and Dane County the unique place it is.

• If you’re a company in Madison/Dane County looking to borrow some money, visit this page.
• If you’re an individual who lives in Madison/Dane County and are interested in becoming a member-investor, visit this page.
• If you don’t live in Madison, but are interested in starting a LION group in your community, visit this page.

General information about the local investing revolution is updated frequently on our blog and via twitter.