CoFund

University of Virginia, Darden School of Business

Industry: FinTech

MBA Founding Student Name(s): Maximilian Martin

Brief Description of Solution: CoFund is a microlending platform that connects borrowers with community-driven investors, offering small-dollar loans through individual and group options. By simplifying the lending process and providing transparent, flexible terms, CoFund enables borrowers to access capital while giving investors the opportunity to make both a positive social impact and financial return. CoFund is disrupting traditional lending by making it more accessible, personal, and community-oriented.

Funding Dollars: $12,500

What led you to launch this venture? I was inspired to start CoFund after hearing countless stories from classmates about their struggles with student loans and how frustrating the borrowing process was. Initially, I wanted to solve this issue. Through deeper research, I discovered an even larger market: underbanked individuals with smaller financial needs who were often ignored by traditional lending institutions. This realization led to the creation of CoFund, a platform dedicated to providing fair, accessible, and transparent lending options for people seeking more flexible borrowing solutions.

What has been your biggest accomplishment so far with venture? Getting the right people onboard. The team is everything in a venture. When you have a strong, committed team, you build the momentum needed to overcome challenges and keep moving forward. I’m proud to have brought together talented individuals who share my vision for CoFund and have helped shape it into what it is today.

What has been the most significant challenge you’ve faced in creating your company and how did you solve it? The most significant challenge I’ve faced so far has been navigating the complex regulatory landscape for lending. Each state has its own set of rules and licensing requirements, making it difficult for a startup like CoFund to ensure compliance while still moving forward with development and scaling. To address this, I sought legal advice and worked closely with consultants who specialize in fintech and lending regulations. By staying proactive and informed, we’ve been able to build a platform that adheres to regulations without compromising our growth.

How has your MBA program helped you further this startup venture? The Darden MBA program has been instrumental in advancing CoFund. It provided me with more than just classroom knowledge—it offered a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem. From faculty who challenged my thinking to hands-on entrepreneurship programs that pushed me out of my comfort zone, the resources were invaluable. I was also able to collaborate with talented students from across UVA, building a strong team for CoFund. The program’s focus on practical learning, along with access to a network of mentors and industry experts, gave me the tools and confidence needed to turn CoFund into a reality. Darden fosters an environment where startups like mine can thrive and grow.

What founder or entrepreneur inspired you to start your own entrepreneurial journey? How did he or she prove motivational to you? Jim Zuffoletti is the entrepreneur who inspired me to start my own entrepreneurial journey. I first heard him speak during my first year at Darden, and I immediately knew he was different from other entrepreneurs I’d encountered. Jim is not only incredibly kind, but also generous with his time and refreshingly honest. His approach to business, grounded in authenticity and integrity, resonated with me deeply. It was his combination of these qualities, along with his willingness to mentor others, that motivated me to become an entrepreneur who leads with similar values.

Which MBA class has been most valuable in building your startup and what was the biggest lesson you gained from it? The MBA class I found most valuable in building my startup was Effectual Entrepreneurship. This class taught me that entrepreneurial success isn’t always about having a perfect plan from the start, but about being flexible, resourceful, and willing to adapt as you go. The biggest lesson I gained was to focus on what you can control—your means, your network, and your ability to take action—rather than being fixated on external factors that are out of your hands. This mindset shift has been crucial in helping me build CoFund, as it encourages constant iteration, leveraging the resources available, and making progress even in the face of uncertainty.

What professor made a significant contribution to your plans and why? Professor Saras Sarasvathy, who taught the class on Effectual Entrepreneurship, made a significant contribution to my entrepreneurial journey. Her energy and commitment to pushing her students to take action is truly unparalleled. Beyond her dynamic teaching style, her groundbreaking research in the field of entrepreneurship—particularly on the principles of effectuation—provided invaluable insights into what makes a successful entrepreneur. Her emphasis on resourcefulness, adaptability, and starting with what you have was vital in shaping my approach. It also gave me the confidence to start my own venture

How has your local startup ecosystem contributed to your venture’s development and success? The Charlottesville startup ecosystem has been incredibly supportive in the development of CoFund. I received valuable feedback from local entrepreneurs, which helped refine our business model and product. The ecosystem also provided numerous opportunities for pitch practice, allowing me to sharpen my communication skills and strengthen CoFund’s value proposition. Beyond that, the sense of community and willingness to collaborate made Charlottesville the perfect environment to grow a startup, and that support has been instrumental in CoFund’s early success.

What is your long-term goal with your startup? My long-term goal for CoFund is to build a platform that fundamentally changes how people access and provide loans. I envision CoFund becoming a trusted, scalable solution for borrowers seeking fair, transparent lending options, while offering investors a way to make both financial and social impact. Ultimately, I want CoFund to become a leading platform that empowers individuals and communities, creating a financial ecosystem where borrowing is more accessible, personal, and driven by mutual trust and benefit.

Looking back, what is the biggest lesson you wished you’d known before launching and scaling your venture? Looking back, the biggest lesson I wish I’d known before launching CoFund is the importance of flexibility and adaptability. When I started, I had a clear vision of the product and market, but over time I realized that pivoting based on user feedback and market conditions is essential to success. Being too rigid can prevent you from seeing new opportunities or adjusting to challenges. If I had embraced adaptability earlier, I might have been able to move faster and make even more impactful decisions. The ability to iterate quickly and evolve based on real-world feedback has been one of the most valuable lessons in scaling CoFund.

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