At Ascendus, we believe that progress begins with people, their ideas, their determination, and their drive to create lasting change. Access to capital is only part of the journey. Real transformation happens when funding is paired with guidance, trust, and relationships that empower entrepreneurs to thrive.
Our collaboration with M&T Bank reflects that belief. Together, we are unlocking financing and providing the trusted guidance that small business owners need to grow with confidence and purpose.
For years, M&T Bank and Ascendus have worked hand in hand to expand access to opportunity, helping entrepreneurs build stronger businesses and healthier financial futures.
Through this collaboration, we have delivered:
The partnership is rooted in shared purpose and long-term commitment, building pathways to credit readiness, business strength, and community resilience. M&T Bank teams identify clients with vision and potential who may not yet qualify for traditional lending. Instead of turning them away, they open a door to Ascendus, where flexible capital and one-on-one coaching help entrepreneurs achieve stability and success.
This collaboration has reached across industries, from neighborhood cafés and wellness studios to professional services and retail ventures. Entrepreneurs like Francois from Yego Coffee, Kaisha from Le Massage de Kai, and Rejane from RJ Aesthetics are among those whose businesses have flourished through this partnership, each one a reflection of resilience, creativity, and community impact.
Among all the entrepreneurs supported, 92% identify as Entrepreneurs of Color and 46% identify as women. Each business strengthened represents a story of vision turned into impact. Clients supported through this partnership report improved credit, steadier cash flow, and greater financial confidence both at work and at home. Collectively, they are fueling local economies and expanding representation in business ownership.
Businesses thrive, households gain stability, and communities grow stronger.
The relationship between M&T Bank and Ascendus stands as a model for what shared purpose can achieve. By aligning resources, expertise, and compassion, we are not only creating access to capital, we are creating opportunity that lasts.
Together, we are turning vision into impact, and we are just getting started.