Our Mission
Micro-businesses make up 95% of all U.S. companies, yet they are denied capital at more than twice the rate of larger corporations. Nearly half are based in low-income neighborhoods, where many fail or never grow due to lack of financing, mentoring, and essential tools.
Entrepreneurship is a proven pathway to prosperity: for every 1% increase in entrepreneurship, poverty rates decline by 2%. Business owners have a median net worth 2.5 times higher than non-owners, and with the right support, their ventures grow 4.5 times faster.
BrightStreet was founded to close this gap. By combining capital with wraparound support, we provide the conditions entrepreneurs need to build wealth, uplift families, and fuel economic vibrancy in underserved communities.
About BrightStreet
BrightStreet is a nonprofit providing loans, grants, services, and technical assistance to new and expanding small businesses. Our focus is on those most often excluded from traditional financing: startups, solopreneurs, and micro-enterprises.
We help entrepreneurs LEAP toward success through our holistic program of support.
Through LEAP BrightStreet provides:
Loans & Grants
Affordable loans ($1,000–$50,000) paired with matching retirement savings grants.
Education & Tools
Mandatory business and finance bootcamps, mentorship, and technical assistance.
Access to Financial Resources
Banking, insurance, and retirement accounts established at the start of each loan.
Peer Networks
Entrepreneur cohorts and professional networks that create social capital and long-term support.
Together, these four pillars give entrepreneurs the tools, resources, and networks they need to succeed and create stronger, more vibrant communities.
What’s Next for Us
BrightStreet is launching a pilot program in Newark, New Jersey, and plans to grow and expand into additional underserved urban centers across New Jersey.
Our Partners
BrightStreet’s strength lies in collaboration. Our model is built on partnerships that bring together capital, mentorship, training, and financial tools for entrepreneurs.
For our Newark pilot, we are working with:
- Endowment Sponsors – Providing the foundational capital to establish BrightStreet in each market.
- Corporate & Community Associations – Trusted local partners that assist with outreach, mentoring, and volunteer support.
- Universities & Technical Assistance Providers – Delivering training, coaching, and professional development opportunities.
- Banking Partners – Offering business accounts, loan disbursement, repayment services, and a pathway to traditional financing.
Sponsors and partners in our Newark pilot include Prudential, Newark Alliance, Rising Tide Capital, and Rutgers University.
Leadership Team
Rob Falzon
Founder & CEO
About Rob
Rob Falzon
Founder & CEO
Rob Falzon is the Founder and CEO of BrightStreet. He applies decades of financial leadership to closing the credit gap and accelerating small business growth in underserved communities.
Previously Vice Chair of Prudential Financial, Rob brings more than 40 years of investment, insurance, and retirement industry expertise. At BrightStreet, he is advancing a bold vision to expand access of microloans and entrepreneurial support, starting with a Newark pilot and expanding across the state.
Falzon founded BrightStreet to close the wealth gap and expand opportunities for entrepreneurs traditionally excluded from mainstream finance. Driven by a belief that access to capital and financial tools can transform lives, he launched the nonprofit to accelerate small business growth, drive neighborhood revitalization, and create lasting pathways to prosperity in underserved cities, beginning with Newark.
A recognized business leader and community advocate, Rob also serves on the boards of Rutgers University and The Salvation Army of New Jersey and its Newark Corps.
Nemin Jaya
Co-Founder & COO
About Nemin
Nemin Jaya
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
Nemin Jaya is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of BrightStreet, bringing nearly two decades of experience in organizational leadership, capital planning, and nonprofit management. He also serves as the Administrator of The Salvation Army Newark Area Services, where he oversees community development initiatives and institutional growth.
Jaya’s career bridges the financial and nonprofit sectors, beginning in banking with Standard Chartered and Citibank before moving into mission-driven leadership roles. At Boys & Girls Clubs of America, he guided affiliates in developing sustainable business models, mergers, and long-term growth strategies. His work across South Asia further reflects his commitment to economic empowerment, where he supported cooperative models and micro-lending programs that helped low-income individuals launch small businesses and achieve financial independence.
Jaya co-founded BrightStreet out of a belief that integrated solutions such as combining financial tools with social impact, can help entrepreneurs build resilience, scale their businesses, and transform communities. He holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School and advanced credentials in business management, nonprofit leadership, and project management.
Paul Curcio
Co-Founder & CFO
About Paul
Paul Curcio
Co-Founder & Chief Financial Officer
Paul Curcio is the Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of BrightStreet, overseeing all financial and accounting functions for the organization. He brings more than 30 years of experience in investment management, real estate, and corporate finance, with a strong track record of building and managing complex financial strategies.
Before joining BrightStreet, Curcio served as Chief of Staff and Head of Special Projects in Prudential’s Vice Chairman’s Office, where he helped to lead initiatives including the master planning for the redevelopment of Newark’s Mulberry Commons and the creation of a community center and affordable housing project with The Salvation Army. His earlier roles at Prudential and PGIM Real Estate included senior leadership positions in impact investing, portfolio management, capital markets, and structured finance.
Curcio joined BrightStreet to advance his commitment to Newark and other underserved communities. He is passionate about using his financial expertise to expand access to capital, support local entrepreneurs, and strengthen neighborhoods through sustainable economic growth.