A zoomed in young man sitting on the ground, clutching his arms.

It's still about the money.

Two men posing with a large presentation check.

We started in prison.

Entre Capital, LLC is the commercial finance subsidiary of Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP), a Texas non-profit 501 ( c )(3) organization.

  • Our vision is to serve, as a community development financial institution, by providing credit facilities and loan servicing to PEP alumni and other re-entry businesses.
  • Our distinctive competency is de-risking small business lending activities for partner banks and social impact investors.
  • Our mission is restoring lives by transforming credit

Credit programs are historically based on how many times a borrower falls down – late payments, repossessions, liens, judgments, bankruptcies, felony convictions. Our heart is to calibrate how many times they get back up, but that only measures half the story.  Keeping up is the real challenge. And that requires transformation.

Several men, including some in prison uniforms, standing in a half circle with each man extending a hand to form a 'hand-stack'.

Business Plan Competition kickoff, Estes Unit, Spring 2019

Five men, one behind a podium and the other four sitting on high stools on a stage in front of an audience.

Center podium: Bryan Kelly, CEO of Prison Entrepreneurship Program.  Sharks, from left to right: Doug Deason, Deason Capital Services; Biggs Burke, Circle of Excellence; Dr. Joe Harford, Founder, Reclamere, Inc., Mark Holden, Koch Industries and Stand Together Chamber of Commerce.

From Barbed Wire to Business Accelerator.

November 20, 2019
George W. Bush Presidential Center

Commemorating its 15th year of facilitating “Start Up Lives” for incarcerated men, PEP hosted a shark-tank style event titled "Barbed Wire to Business Accelerator – Fueling Growth through Impact Investing”.  The venue showcased three PEP graduate-owned companies, competing for growth capital, as well as meaningful opportunities for social impact investors. And, Entre Capital was born.

Credit programs are historically based on how many times a borrower falls down – late payments, repossessions, liens, judgments, bankruptcies, felony convictions. Our heart is to calibrate how many times they get back up, but that only measures half the story.  Keeping up is the real challenge. And that requires transformation.

Community Development.

We provide affordable loans to small business entrepreneurs seeking a second chance at their vocational initiatives.  Underwriting criteria are accommodating, based predominantly on industry experience and collateral. We provide neither venture capital nor consumer lending, but work with financial service organizations that do.

The development services we provide are focused on the sustainability of the businesses we serve, within 3 principal pathways: Financial Literacy training, Collateral Management (including fraud mitigation) and Relentless Engagement with our volunteers.

From left to right: Amy and Pat Gotcher, Chairman of PEP Governing Board; Jay Hein, Sagamore Institute

Pathways to Sustainability.

Class & Individual Curriculum Business Plans
Legal Entity Formation
Insurance and Risk Management
Managing Cash Flow

Purchasing Assistance
Collateral Verification Maintenance Programs
Inspection and Recovery
Transfer and Re-Assignment

Assigned Mentors and Advisors
Bookkeeping Services
Drug and Alcohol Testing (as required)
Business Bank Account Monitoring
Financial Reporting and Review

A man dressed in a suit and holding a mic, is standing with his back to a standing poster, addressing an audience.

Carl Bracy
PEP 2019 Volunteer of the Year
Director, ESchool
Curriculum Champion