Let the Pigeons Fly
Erik Drumm founded pidj.co in 2016, paying respect to the very first type of long-distance messaging methods: the carrier pigeon. He saw a gap in the market and created pidj.co as a SAAS-based text communication platform for businesses to better interact with their prospects, their employees, and even their constituents. They primarily serve municipalities, along with HOAs and non-profits such as the Red Cross and United Way; they provide a simple method for community-based organizations to keep their members in the loop and connect them to the resources that they need.
A few years after launching the company, they faced the same dilemma similar to other tech companies; they weren’t quite sure how to continue making their software feature-rich for their existing customers, while also having the liquidity to expand sales and marketing to gain new clients and open distribution channels. With a large potential to expand their portfolio, they needed flexible capital and additional liquidity to help grow their operations, sales and marketing.
However, while pidj.co was not exactly a startup, they relaunched their company entirely in 2021. This meant they were not able to show a lengthy track record of financial success. Unable to obtain a traditional loan, they needed a different financing option.
After researching a variety of options, pidj.co was introduced to B:Side Fund through the Colorado Startup Loan Fund. The Colorado Startup Loan Fund provides capital to mission-based lenders, such as B:Side Fund, who, in turn, finance small business owners unable to obtain a bank loan.
The loan has enabled them to expand sales and marketing, along with providing some breathing room in their cashflow and confidence to pursue larger opportunities.
“Grow, grow, grow. That’s what we want to do.
We want to expand the game, get in more business, more communities, and let the pigeons fly!”
