Marty Teckler Joins Starfield & Smith, Accion Passes $1 Billion in Fundings

April 24, 2025

Bob Coleman
Founder & Publisher

Marty Teckler Joins Starfield & Smith, Accion Passes $1 Billion in Fundings

Marty Teckler Joins Starfield & Smith

The national expert in SBA SBLC and SBIC licensing has joined the SBA Industry’s boutique law firm of Starfield & Smith as Senior Counsel.

With over 30 years of experience, Martin Teckler specializes in general corporate law, real estate, administrative law, securities, private equity, and venture capital. His primary focus is on representing venture capital and private equity funds structured as Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs), as well as specialty lenders that provide financial assistance to small and mid-sized businesses.

His expertise includes:

  • Formation and licensing of multiple SBICs, including structuring fund entities, representing principal groups before the SBA, resolving investor issues, obtaining leverage from the SBA, and addressing regulatory matters for licensed SBICs.
  • Structuring venture capital and private equity investments by SBICs and other funds to comply with applicable SBA regulations.
  • Formation and structuring of non-SBIC venture capital and private equity funds.
  • Representing lending institutions in obtaining authority to make SBA and U.S. Department of Agriculture guaranteed loans.
  • Representing issuers, acquirers, and broker-dealers in secondary market and securitization transactions involving government-guaranteed loans.

In addition to his SBA expertise, Martin Teckler guides clients through small business programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, OPIC, and the Export-Import Bank. He also assists with government contracting and the provision of set-asides to small and minority-owned businesses.

Accion Opportunity Fund Passes $1 Billion in Fundings

“Philanthropy fuels our innovation, product development, and best-in-class free business advising services,” says AOF Board Chair Greg Avis. “Impact investments fuel our capital supply. For every dollar we deploy, 2 dollars in new economic activity is created, uplifting not only borrowers but their larger communities. Investing in small businesses creates incredible leverage for widespread economic benefit.”

AOF’s $1 billion lending milestone represents over 34,000 loans, yet the need in the marketplace is much larger. Nearly 80% of small businesses report not being able to access the capital they need from traditional financial institutions, which leads many to rely on expensive products that can negatively impact their financial health and sustainability.

“To meet the capital demand from small business owners in a way that nurtures their growth and sets them up for success, we must grow the market for safe, affordable capital,” says AOF President and CEO Luz Urrutia. “I consider this our first $1 billion. Now, our sights are set on deploying the next $1 billion – reaching exponentially more underserved small businesses with affordable loans while maintaining the educational resources and support networks that help business owners leverage their capital to build wealth and economic security for themselves, their employees, and their communities.”

Over the next five years, AOF aims to reach 65,000 small business owners with capital and accompanying services. This work has the potential to deliver $1.5 billion in economic impact and support or retain 30,000 jobs.