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.