Small Business Pitch Competition
Pitch your idea for a chance to win a $25,000 grant in our small business pitch competition! This competition provides small businesses the opportunity to present an AI-enabled or cloud-based project to receive a $25,000 grant for development support. Applications will be evaluated based on the strength of your proposed AI or cloud-based solution, including […]
Black History Month: Honoring Resilience While Building Financial Power
Black History Month is a time to recognize the resilience, innovation, and determination that have long defined Black entrepreneurship. From historic main streets to today’s fast-growing startups, Black business owners continue to build, lead, and create opportunity in their communities. Yet the opportunity to expand access and close longstanding gaps remains just as important. Recent […]
SBA Fee Waiver Explained: What It Means for Manufacturers and Lending Partners
Effective October 1, 2025, the SBA is making it easier, and less expensive, for manufacturers to access capital by waiving fees on both the 7(a) and 504 loan programs for businesses in NAICS Sectors 31–33. That’s right—zero upfront fees, zero annual servicing fees (for 504s), and zero excuses for not helping your manufacturing clients seize […]
The Hidden Growth Tool in Your Loan Portfolio: How to Spot SBA 504 Opportunities Before Your Competitors Do
For lenders, the SBA 504 program isn’t just another product to place on the shelf. It’s a lever for deeper relationships and stronger portfolios. The most successful institutions are the ones that anticipate borrower needs before the client even recognizes the opportunity, positioning themselves as both advisor and capital partner. With this in mind, how […]