We encourage all clients to first connect with a local business resource center (like an SBDC) or bank partner before applying. Their guidance will help you submit the strongest possible application.

Clients who take this step are often better prepared and more successful in the loan process.

👉 If you’ve already worked with a partner, simply include their name when asked “How did you hear about us?” on the application.

Need help finding one? Click here to find your local SBDC.

Before you apply, make sure we’re a good fit

To help you save time, here’s a quick snapshot of our minimum eligibility criteria. Final decisions consider your full financial picture.

• Business has been generating consistent revenue for at least 6 months
• FICO score of 575+ (a cosigner may be required in some cases)
• $3,000 or less in unpaid or past-due debt
• Any bankruptcy must be discharged for a minimum period. Eligible loan amounts are based on the time since discharge. Please refer to the product pages for details.
• Any foreclosure must be completed for over 2 years
• Startups or newer business may qualify if it has been registered and generating consistent revenue for at least 6 months, and meets the rest of the eligibility criteria.

👉 Other requirements may apply. Loan terms and conditions may change based on program guidelines. We’ll confirm final details during the review process.
👉 Not sure if you qualify? Start a live chat—we’re happy to walk through it with you.

At Ascendus, a startup or newer businesses may qualify for a loan if the business:

• Has been officially registered for at least 6 months, and

• Has been generating consistent revenue for at least 6 months

You’ll also need to meet the rest of our eligibility criteria, which may vary by loan program.

Credit is just one of many factors that we look at when we work with business owners. If your credit isn’t well established or damaged, we can work to find strengths in your business or finances to make the loan possible. In some cases, we have firm requirements such as amount in past due debt, bankruptcies and credit score minimums. So please check our loan requirements to see if we are a good fit for you.

Local businesses choose to work with us for more reasons than just access to loans. Our staff will go the extra mile for you throughout your application process, the life of your loan and beyond. We can help you connect with peers, local organizations, banks and more to provide as many opportunities for growth as possible. You can call us any time and connect with a live person. And of course, you can access our business resource library anytime.

Ascendus is a nonprofit, community organization dedicated solely to helping small business owners succeed and communities thrive. We are often able to lend to small business owners who have trouble finding loans elsewhere thanks to our smaller loan sizes, a process that looks at more than just a credit score, and terms that are designed to best meet your needs.

Ascendus works with businesses in a variety of different industries such as construction, retail sales, landscaping, restaurants, professional services and more.

Ineligible Industries: Real Estate, Transportation, Adult Entertainment/Materials, Drug Paraphernalia, Distribution, Sale or Manufacturing of Firearms: Non-FDA Weight Loss Products, Traditional Lending Institutions, Alternative Lenders, Check Cashing, Factoring Organizations, Non-Bank Cash Advances, Pawn Shops, Non-Profit Organizations, Non-U.S. Companies, Collection Agencies, Currency Exchanges, Precious Metal Sales, Investment Opportunities, Gambling Establishments, Lotteries/Raffles, and pyramid or multilevel sales plans.

Our loan products

We offer flexible financing options designed to meet your business where it is today and support what comes next.

• Business Term Loans – Structured financing with predictable payments to support growth, equipment, or working capital.
• SBA Microloans – Long-term financing with competitive rates for established small businesses.
• Business Lines of Credit – Ongoing access to capital for short-term needs and cash flow management.

👉 Explore loan options

Once you submit your online application, we’ll be in touch within 2 business days to let you know if you’re a good fit for Ascendus. If you are, you’ll be put in touch with a lending team member who will work with you one-on-one to assemble the strongest loan application possible. This will include documentation to confirm some of the information submitted in your application, as well as some other documents to help us understand your specific business situation as best we can.

Common Application Issues

Running into an issue? Here’s how to fix it quickly.

• I didn’t receive a confirmation email.
  Check your spam or junk folder first. If you still don’t see it, contact us via live chat or email [email protected] and we’ll confirm your application status.
• I’m having trouble uploading documents.
  Try using a different browser or clearing your cache. If the issue continues, our team can help—reach out via live chat or email [email protected].
• My application shows as withdrawn due to a duplicate.
  No action needed. This means we received more than one application and are reviewing the most complete version.
• I want to check the status of my application.
  You’ll typically hear from us within 2 business days. If it’s been longer, contact us and we’ll look into it.

If you don’t qualify for a loan with us at this time, we’ll give you the information you need to improve your business and financial situation so that you have an improved chance of qualifying on your next application.

We base our decisions on factors such as business revenue, credit history, and completion of required documentation.

Typically, you’ll be eligible to reapply in three to six months.

When thinking about how much you should apply for, consider the following: Loan Use – What will I use the loan for specifically and do I know how much that costs? Monthly Payments – Will I be able to comfortably afford the monthly payments that will come with the loan? Click here to check out a monthly payment calculator.

If you want to calculate the monthly interest rate click here

Ascendus loans are always personally guaranteed. We never take your home as collateral but may ask for a cosigner or collateral such as a vehicle or piece of equipment to add strength to your application.

We report your loan payment history to personal credit bureaus—not to business credit bureaus (with the exception of SBA 7 (a) Community Advantage Loans)

Because all of our loans are personally guaranteed, your payment activity will impact your personal credit history. This is standard for many microloans and small business loans and helps small business owners like you build or strengthen personal credit, which is often essential for future financing.

We understand this may be different from what you’ve seen online. If you have questions or want help understanding your credit options, we’re here to support you.

Support that goes beyond funding

Once your loan is active, you’ll have access to tools and support designed to help your business stay on track and keep moving forward.

• Make payments through our Customer Portal
• Set up automatic payments (autopay) to stay current and avoid late fees
• Request payoff or paid-in-full letters when needed
• Explore refinancing options, when available and appropriate
• Access hardship support if your business experiences financial challenges

For questions about your existing loan, contact us via live chat, call (866) 245-0783, or email [email protected].

No, we’re not a bank–although we work closely with banks and other financial institutions as partners.

We’re a nonprofit, mission-driven Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). That means we specialize in providing business loans and financial coaching to small business owners with big dreams.

Our goal is to help your business grow, thrive, and reach new financial milestones. Many of our clients use their loan as a first step, and over time, graduate to larger loans or traditional financing as their financial health improves.

We’re here to support that journey–this way up.