The Opportunity: Small Businesses Change Lives

Owning a business can be a powerful driver of economic mobility. Entrepreneurs typically have higher income, more savings, and stronger household wealth than non-owners³.

Small businesses represent 99.9% of all companies in the U.S., generate nearly half of the nation’s GDP, and have created 12.9 million net new jobs over the last 25 years. They are responsible for 2 out of every 3 new jobs and form the backbone of local economies.⁴

But behind these numbers are people—dreamers, doers, and community builders.

Yet many remain excluded from traditional financial systems, and access to capital continues to be one of the greatest barriers to small business success. In fact, 77% of small businesses report concerns about their ability to access capital⁵, and 70% have less than four months of operating cash on hand⁶.

That’s where microlending becomes transformational—bridging the gap with financial tools for those long overlooked. Every small business needs access to capital and financial education to launch, grow, or sustain their work—especially those from underrepresented communities.