Codefi Brand Guide

How we look. How we sound. How we show up — every time.

Foundation

Mission, Vision & Purpose

Mission, Vision & Purpose

Our foundation is the reason we exist. Every program, every message, every piece of content ties back to this.

PURPOSE - OUR WHY

Talent and opportunity shouldn't be limited by geography.

We exist to empower founders and communities, building scalable tech companies that ensure lasting economic impact. Location is a condition. Not a destiny.

MISSON - WHAT WE DO

Eliminate the skills and opportunity gaps preventing talent and entrepreneurs from thriving in the digital economy.

Missouri is where we proved it. Now we're building everywhere.

VISION - WHERE WE'RE GOING

A future where location no longer limits access to technology skills, startup support, or economic opportunity

We're not waiting for that future. We're building it.

Core Values

Collaboration over Competition

We build stronger together. Shared success is the ultimate goal.

Community over Agenda

The communities we serve drive every decision. We listen first.

Doing over
Saying

Results matter more than promises. We're practitioners, not commentators.

Always
Innovating

AI-Native by Default. We stay on the cutting edge. Not by exception — by design.

Brand Promise

Codefi empowers founders and tech talent with the skills, tools, and guidance to advance their economic position — creating thriving communities where families prosper and economies grow.

We bring world-class startup resources and AI training to founders and builders wherever they are. In Missouri, grant funding removes access as a barrier. Everywhere else, we offer the same methodology at market rate. Either way, you get the same thing: a real path forward.

Brand Voice

How We Sound

Our voice isn't a style choice — it's a standard. Every sentence we write should be clear, proven, and actionable. No hype. No hedging. No vague commitments. We write for founders who are skeptical of hype, short on time, and making real decisions.

Voice Principles

PRECISE LANGUAGE, CLEAR STANDARDS

Vague language signals vague thinking. Use numbers, deadlines, and specific criteria. Not "many founders" — "847 Missouri founders." Not "several weeks" — "6 weeks."

SHOW RESULTS, NO PROMISES

"Committed to" is what you say when you haven't done it yet. Numbers and names are what you show when you have. Prove impact with data, not declarations.

MISSOURI FIRST, ALWAYS

We're all in on Missouri. No hedging. In Missouri content: name the city. In national content: name the outcome.

ACTION-ORIENTED

Use active verbs. Build, launch, test, deploy, create. Not "facilitate" or "leverage." Say what you're doing, then prove you did it.

LEAD WITH VALUE, FOLLOW WITH ACCESS

Grant funding is the reason to act now — not the reason to care. Always lead with the transformation. Mention access in the subhead or body, never the headline.

Before & After

These examples show the difference between vague language and the Codefi standard.

BEFORE - DON'T WRITE THIS

"Codefi is excited to announce our new AI training initiative! We're committed to empowering the next generation of tech talent across rural Missouri. Stay tuned for more information!"

AFTER - WRITE THIS INSTEAD

"We just released our AI-native developer frameworks. 847 Missouri founders used them last quarter to validate ideas and build MVPs. Available to Missouri founders through Codefi Foundation. Download at codefiworks.com/frameworks. Start building this weekend.""

BEFORE - DON'T WRITE THIS

"Codefi's accelerator program is designed to empower emerging entrepreneurs by providing them with the resources and mentorship needed to facilitate their entrepreneurial journey."

AFTER - WRITE THIS INSTEAD

"Our 12-week accelerator: 20 teams per cohort, selected based on traction. If you have 50+ customer conversations, a working MVP, and $1 in revenue, apply by Friday. We decide in 48 hours."

BEFORE - DON'T WRITE THIS

TractionStudio.ai is free for Missouri founders! Sign up today and start validating your idea at no cost.

AFTER - WRITE THIS INSTEAD

Missouri founders: validate your idea with real customer interviews before you write a line of code. TractionStudio.ai Wave 1 access is available through Codefi Foundation. Check your eligibility at app.tractionstudio.ai."

Our Lexicon

The words we use and avoid reflect the precision and authenticity of our brand.

WORDS WE USE

AI-native

Access

Build

Launch

Test

Deploy

Founder

Traction

Revenue

Framework

Missouri

Prove

Data

Demonstrate

WORDS WE AVOID

Leverage

Synergize

Utilize

Stakeholders

Passionate

Committed to

Exploring

Innovative

Impactful

The region

Brand Voice

How We Sound

Our voice isn't a style choice — it's a standard. Every sentence we write should be clear, proven, and actionable. No hype. No hedging. No vague commitments. We write for founders who are skeptical of hype, short on time, and making real decisions.

Voice Principles

PRECISE LANGUAGE, CLEAR STANDARDS

Vague language signals vague thinking. Use numbers, deadlines, and specific criteria. Not "many founders" — "847 Missouri founders." Not "several weeks" — "6 weeks."

SHOW RESULTS, NO PROMISES

"Committed to" is what you say when you haven't done it yet. Numbers and names are what you show when you have. Prove impact with data, not declarations.

MISSOURI FIRST, ALWAYS

We're all in on Missouri. No hedging. In Missouri content: name the city. In national content: name the outcome.

ACTION-ORIENTED

Use active verbs. Build, launch, test, deploy, create. Not "facilitate" or "leverage." Say what you're doing, then prove you did it.

LEAD WITH VALUE, FOLLOW WITH ACCESS

Grant funding is the reason to act now — not the reason to care. Always lead with the transformation. Mention access in the subhead or body, never the headline.

Before & After

These examples show the difference between vague language and the Codefi standard.

BEFORE - DON'T WRITE THIS

"Codefi is excited to announce our new AI training initiative! We're committed to empowering the next generation of tech talent across rural Missouri. Stay tuned for more information!"

AFTER - WRITE THIS INSTEAD

"We just released our AI-native developer frameworks. 847 Missouri founders used them last quarter to validate ideas and build MVPs. Available to Missouri founders through Codefi Foundation. Download at codefiworks.com/frameworks. Start building this weekend.""

BEFORE - DON'T WRITE THIS

"Codefi's accelerator program is designed to empower emerging entrepreneurs by providing them with the resources and mentorship needed to facilitate their entrepreneurial journey."

AFTER - WRITE THIS INSTEAD

"Our 12-week accelerator: 20 teams per cohort, selected based on traction. If you have 50+ customer conversations, a working MVP, and $1 in revenue, apply by Friday. We decide in 48 hours."

BEFORE - DON'T WRITE THIS

TractionStudio.ai is free for Missouri founders! Sign up today and start validating your idea at no cost.

AFTER - WRITE THIS INSTEAD

Missouri founders: validate your idea with real customer interviews before you write a line of code. TractionStudio.ai Wave 1 access is available through Codefi Foundation. Check your eligibility at app.tractionstudio.ai."

Our Lexicon

The words we use and avoid reflect the precision and authenticity of our brand.

WORDS WE USE

AI-native

Access

Build

Launch

Test

Deploy

Founder

Traction

Revenue

Framework

Missouri

Prove

Data

Demonstrate

WORDS WE AVOID

Leverage

Synergize

Utilize

Stakeholders

Passionate

Committed to

Exploring

Innovative

Impactful

The region

Brand Voice

How We Sound

Our voice isn't a style choice — it's a standard. Every sentence we write should be clear, proven, and actionable. No hype. No hedging. No vague commitments. We write for founders who are skeptical of hype, short on time, and making real decisions.

Voice Principles

PRECISE LANGUAGE, CLEAR STANDARDS

Vague language signals vague thinking. Use numbers, deadlines, and specific criteria. Not "many founders" — "847 Missouri founders." Not "several weeks" — "6 weeks."

SHOW RESULTS, NO PROMISES

"Committed to" is what you say when you haven't done it yet. Numbers and names are what you show when you have. Prove impact with data, not declarations.

MISSOURI FIRST, ALWAYS

We're all in on Missouri. No hedging. In Missouri content: name the city. In national content: name the outcome.

ACTION-ORIENTED

Use active verbs. Build, launch, test, deploy, create. Not "facilitate" or "leverage." Say what you're doing, then prove you did it.

LEAD WITH VALUE, FOLLOW WITH ACCESS

Grant funding is the reason to act now — not the reason to care. Always lead with the transformation. Mention access in the subhead or body, never the headline.

Before & After

These examples show the difference between vague language and the Codefi standard.

BEFORE - DON'T WRITE THIS

"Codefi is excited to announce our new AI training initiative! We're committed to empowering the next generation of tech talent across rural Missouri. Stay tuned for more information!"

AFTER - WRITE THIS INSTEAD

"We just released our AI-native developer frameworks. 847 Missouri founders used them last quarter to validate ideas and build MVPs. Available to Missouri founders through Codefi Foundation. Download at codefiworks.com/frameworks. Start building this weekend.""

BEFORE - DON'T WRITE THIS

"Codefi's accelerator program is designed to empower emerging entrepreneurs by providing them with the resources and mentorship needed to facilitate their entrepreneurial journey."

AFTER - WRITE THIS INSTEAD

"Our 12-week accelerator: 20 teams per cohort, selected based on traction. If you have 50+ customer conversations, a working MVP, and $1 in revenue, apply by Friday. We decide in 48 hours."

BEFORE - DON'T WRITE THIS

TractionStudio.ai is free for Missouri founders! Sign up today and start validating your idea at no cost.

AFTER - WRITE THIS INSTEAD

Missouri founders: validate your idea with real customer interviews before you write a line of code. TractionStudio.ai Wave 1 access is available through Codefi Foundation. Check your eligibility at app.tractionstudio.ai."

Our Lexicon

The words we use and avoid reflect the precision and authenticity of our brand.

WORDS WE USE

AI-native

Access

Build

Launch

Test

Deploy

Founder

Traction

Revenue

Framework

Missouri

Prove

Data

Demonstrate

WORDS WE AVOID

Leverage

Synergize

Utilize

Stakeholders

Passionate

Committed to

Exploring

Innovative

Impactful

The region

Visual Identity

Color Palette

These colors are the foundation of our visual identity. Use them consistently across all materials. Lime Green is our signal color — use it to draw attention, not as wallpaper.

PRIMARY WEB USE COLORS

PRIMARY WEB USE COLORS

Teal

#357C7A

Spring Green

#85BC59

Lime Green

#D4ED71

Action Red

#D83B02

Dark

#050505

Light

#FFFFFF

EXTENDED COLOR PALETTE - PRIMARY

EXTENDED COLOR PALETTE - PRIMARY

#031E1D

#082B2A

#124341

#225D5B

#357C7A

#589995

#80B7B4

#A9D0CE

#D9ECEB

EXTENDED COLOR PALETTE - NEUTRAL

EXTENDED COLOR PALETTE - NEUTRAL

#212121

#343A40

#4C5157

#64686E

#7C7F85

#94969C

#ACADB3

#C4C4CA

#DCDBE1

#F1F2F4

EXTENDED COLOR PALETTE - SECONDARY

EXTENDED COLOR PALETTE - SECONDARY

#1C3905

#315B10

#4C8023

#6AA23C

#85BC59

#92C669

#A9D486

#BEDFA4

#D3E9C1

#425201

#637A0A

#88A31F

#B2D03D

#D4ED71

#DDF090

#E6F3B0

#E9F2C3

#F3F9D9

Color Usage Rules

  • Lime Green is our signal color — use it for CTAs, key data points, and primary accents. Not as a background for large areas.

  • Teal is our primary brand color — use it for structural elements, headers, and key UI components.

  • Action Red should be used sparingly to accent and highlight key elements only.

  • Charcoal is the preferred dark background — not pure black.

  • Always ensure sufficient contrast. White text on Teal is approved. Black text on Lime is approved.

Visual Identity

Typography

We use two typefaces. Montserrat for structure and emphasis. Lato for readability in body copy and long-form content. Proxima Nova is an approved alternative to Montserrat when unavailable.

MONTSERRAT

Headlines, subheadings, labels, callouts, UI elements

font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif

Build AI Skills.

Build AI Skills.

Build AI Skills.

LATO

Body copy, captions, long-form content

font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif

Our programs are grant-funded for Missouri founders. Our standards are high. Our results are public.

Visual Identity

Typography

We use two typefaces. Montserrat for structure and emphasis. Lato for readability in body copy and long-form content. Proxima Nova is an approved alternative to Montserrat when unavailable.

MONTSERRAT

Headlines, subheadings, labels, callouts, UI elements

font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif

Build AI Skills.

Build AI Skills.

Build AI Skills.

LATO

Body copy, captions, long-form content

font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif

Our programs are grant-funded for Missouri founders. Our standards are high. Our results are public.

Visual Identity

Typography

We use two typefaces. Montserrat for structure and emphasis. Lato for readability in body copy and long-form content. Proxima Nova is an approved alternative to Montserrat when unavailable.

MONTSERRAT

Headlines, subheadings, labels, callouts, UI elements

font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif

Build AI Skills.

Build AI Skills.

Build AI Skills.

LATO

Body copy, captions, long-form content

font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif

Our programs are grant-funded for Missouri founders. Our standards are high. Our results are public.

Visual Identity

Logo Guidelines

The Codefi logo is always reproduced from master artwork. Never alter colors, proportions, or orientation. When in doubt, use the version with the most contrast against its background.

Abstract isometric illustration of an app on a mobile device

Primary

Light Background

Default use. On white or light gray backgrounds.

Abstract isometric illustration of an app on a mobile device
Abstract isometric illustration of an app on a mobile device

Primary

Dark Background

On charcoal, black, or dark teal backgrounds.

Abstract isometric illustration of an app on a mobile device

Primary

Teal Background

White version on brand-color backgrounds.

Logo Don'ts

These examples show the difference between vague language and the Codefi standard.

Stretch or distort the logo in any direction

Change logo colors outside of approved versions

Place the logo over a busy photo or background

Add drop shadows, outlines, or visual effects

Rotate the logo

Use low-resolution versions of the logo

Add text or graphics adjacent to the logo mark

Recreate the logo in a different typeface

Visual Identity

Logo Guidelines

The Codefi logo is always reproduced from master artwork. Never alter colors, proportions, or orientation. When in doubt, use the version with the most contrast against its background.

Abstract isometric illustration of an app on a mobile device

Primary

Light Background

Default use. On white or light gray backgrounds.

Abstract isometric illustration of an app on a mobile device
Abstract isometric illustration of an app on a mobile device

Primary

Dark Background

On charcoal, black, or dark teal backgrounds.

Abstract isometric illustration of an app on a mobile device

Primary

Teal Background

White version on brand-color backgrounds.

Logo Don'ts

These examples show the difference between vague language and the Codefi standard.

Stretch or distort the logo in any direction

Change logo colors outside of approved versions

Place the logo over a busy photo or background

Add drop shadows, outlines, or visual effects

Rotate the logo

Use low-resolution versions of the logo

Add text or graphics adjacent to the logo mark

Recreate the logo in a different typeface

Visual Identity

Logo Guidelines

The Codefi logo is always reproduced from master artwork. Never alter colors, proportions, or orientation. When in doubt, use the version with the most contrast against its background.

Abstract isometric illustration of an app on a mobile device

Primary

Light Background

Default use. On white or light gray backgrounds.

Abstract isometric illustration of an app on a mobile device
Abstract isometric illustration of an app on a mobile device

Primary

Dark Background

On charcoal, black, or dark teal backgrounds.

Abstract isometric illustration of an app on a mobile device

Primary

Teal Background

White version on brand-color backgrounds.

Logo Don'ts

These examples show the difference between vague language and the Codefi standard.

Stretch or distort the logo in any direction

Change logo colors outside of approved versions

Place the logo over a busy photo or background

Add drop shadows, outlines, or visual effects

Rotate the logo

Use low-resolution versions of the logo

Add text or graphics adjacent to the logo mark

Recreate the logo in a different typeface

Visual Identity

Photography & Imagery

Our photography should reflect the real energy and forward momentum of Missouri founders and builders — not idealized or symbolic portrayals of rural life. Show people doing work, not concepts about work.

DO - PRIORITIZE THIS

  • Founders working, collaborating, problem-solving

  • Real workspace environments — offices, co-working spaces, events

  • Images that convey confidence and momentum

  • Tech-adjacent visuals — laptops, whiteboards, tools

  • Authentic, unposed, real-world settings

  • Racial, gender, and geographic diversity

  • Missouri communities, storefronts, and main streets

DON'T - AVOID THIS

  • Pastoral or scenic-only rural imagery (barns, fields, empty landscapes)

  • Overly staged or stock-photo-feeling shots

  • Images that feel "nonprofit" rather than innovative

  • Urban skylines or metros that don't represent our communities

  • Images with visible watermarks or low resolution

Visual Identity

Photography & Imagery

Our photography should reflect the real energy and forward momentum of Missouri founders and builders — not idealized or symbolic portrayals of rural life. Show people doing work, not concepts about work.

DO - PRIORITIZE THIS

  • Founders working, collaborating, problem-solving

  • Real workspace environments — offices, co-working spaces, events

  • Images that convey confidence and momentum

  • Tech-adjacent visuals — laptops, whiteboards, tools

  • Authentic, unposed, real-world settings

  • Racial, gender, and geographic diversity

  • Missouri communities, storefronts, and main streets

DON'T - AVOID THIS

  • Pastoral or scenic-only rural imagery (barns, fields, empty landscapes)

  • Overly staged or stock-photo-feeling shots

  • Images that feel "nonprofit" rather than innovative

  • Urban skylines or metros that don't represent our communities

  • Images with visible watermarks or low resolution

Visual Identity

Photography & Imagery

Our photography should reflect the real energy and forward momentum of Missouri founders and builders — not idealized or symbolic portrayals of rural life. Show people doing work, not concepts about work.

DO - PRIORITIZE THIS

  • Founders working, collaborating, problem-solving

  • Real workspace environments — offices, co-working spaces, events

  • Images that convey confidence and momentum

  • Tech-adjacent visuals — laptops, whiteboards, tools

  • Authentic, unposed, real-world settings

  • Racial, gender, and geographic diversity

  • Missouri communities, storefronts, and main streets

DON'T - AVOID THIS

  • Pastoral or scenic-only rural imagery (barns, fields, empty landscapes)

  • Overly staged or stock-photo-feeling shots

  • Images that feel "nonprofit" rather than innovative

  • Urban skylines or metros that don't represent our communities

  • Images with visible watermarks or low resolution

Questions?

Email crystal@codefiworks.com

Questions?

Email crystal@codefiworks.com

Questions?

Email crystal@codefiworks.com