MicroPlace is a brokerage platform where US individuals can invest in companies creating positive social impact in the US and abroad and earn a financial return. Launched in 2007, it's a for-profit PayPal company whose mission is to create economic opportunity and stability for communities and people around the world.
Why MicroPlace? Many investments offering both a financial and social return (impact investments) are only available to high net worth and institutional investors. MicroPlace levels the playing field by giving retail investors a simple and affordable way of using a portion of their investment portfolios to do good in the world and earn a financial return.
MicroPlace selects and engages experienced intermediary organizations called issuers. Issuers offer short- term notes to investors, the proceeds of which are used to help develop communities, support women, promote fair trade, provide affordable housing, conserve land and water, promote health, support green causes, and more. The notes pay periodic interest and are repaid at maturity.
Issuers pay MicroPlace a fee for providing the platform, marketing, and customer service. An essential part of leveling the playing field is to provide issuers with the infrastructure and tools to be able to cost effectively involve these many retail investors in their mission.
Revenues are directed toward sustaining the operation and delivering on the mission as a social enterprise. MicroPlace is proud to continue the tradition of people-to-people economic power and innovation that is an essential part of eBay and PayPal’s culture. MicroPlace is an SEC registered broker-dealer located in San Jose, California.
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—Anna Julia Cooper (1859–1964)