EP 85: What Kind of Businesses Does IBAM Actually Fund?

What kind of businesses can really be started with just $1,000?In this episode, Steve Adams answers one of the most common questions IBAM receives: What types of businesses are you actually launching around the world?You’ll hear real examples of Christian entrepreneurs in Central Asia, Indonesia, Zambia, and Africa who started or expanded service-based businesses with loans capped at $1,000. From online gift services helping busy professionals remember holidays… to helmet and shoe cleaning across from a university… to a marketing agency expanding its digital capabilities… to a coffee entrepreneur who pivoted and launched a barista training school — these stories highlight practical, market-driven solutions .You’ll also learn why IBAM funds only service businesses, how experience shaped that decision, and how a 90%+ repayment rate reflects the strength of the model .More importantly, this episode reveals the deeper mission: helping unbanked believers access training and capital so they can launch businesses inside disciple-making movements. As persecution causes many believers to lose jobs, entrepreneurship becomes a pathway to sustainability, dignity, and local problem-solving .This isn’t short-term charity. It’s long-term strengthening of church movements — one entrepreneur at a time.00:00 Welcome & Overview01:06 Service Business Focus01:39 Global Success Stories08:28 Other Business Examples12:23 Impact & Mission14:18 Conclusion5 Key TakeawaysIBAM limits loans to $1,000 to encourage low-cost, service-based startups with lower riskService businesses outperform product businesses based on 15–18 years of experience and maintain a repayment rate above 90%Entrepreneurs integrate disciple-making into daily work, building relationships and sharing how God has helped them through problemsIBAM provides both training and capital, including budgeting, marketing, research, and business planningThe ultimate goal is strengthening church movements by helping believers become job creators in places where persecution can cost them employmentWatch full episode on YT - https://youtu.be/q9zOb8tjq-8Here’s your next step: join the free Third Fish Academy at ThirdFish.org  If what you learn resonates, explore how IBAM is transforming communities through business and discipleship at IBAM.org