The online lending platform Kiva was founded in 2005.
Kiva was established by Matt Flannery and Jessica Jackley as a nonprofit organization that connects lenders with entrepreneurs seeking loans. Its model allows people to contribute relatively small amounts through the internet, with partner organizations often helping identify borrowers and administer loans locally.
The name Kiva comes from a term used for a ceremonial structure in some Pueblo cultures. The organization’s focus has included small businesses, agriculture, education, and household needs in many countries. Unlike a donation platform, Kiva presents its standard lending model as money that borrowers repay, allowing funds to be lent again.
Kiva is sometimes confused with conventional banks or donation charities. It does not operate as a normal high-street lender, and its partner-based model means the experience can vary by country and loan program. Its founding nevertheless marked an important moment in internet-based support for small-scale enterprise.