For small business owners shut out of traditional lending, a $500 credit line can feel like a dead end. Ascendus is betting that a 500% increase in its graduation ceiling will turn that starting point into a genuine launchpad.
NY, UNITED STATES, October 15, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — A five-year expansion will reach 480 entrepreneurs and lift the program’s graduation line from $5,000 to $25,000.
Ascendus is scaling up Get Ready, its credit-building initiative designed for small business owners who encounter obstacles to mainstream financing, thanks to a new $1 million grant from MetLife Foundation.
Across the next five years, the enlarged program will serve 480 small business owners and is projected to unlock roughly $4.2 million in graduated capital. Starting in 2027, participants who finish the program successfully will qualify for lines of credit up to $25,000—a fivefold jump from the existing $5,000 graduation threshold.
The program expansion and the MetLife Foundation grant were unveiled on September 16 during the event “Getting Ready to Grow: How Small Capital Drives Economic Mobility,” hosted at MetLife’s headquarters in New York City.
“For years, lenders have relied on credit scores to determine who receives capital and who does not,” said Paul Quintero, Chief Executive Officer of Ascendus. “Get Ready was developed around a simple idea: Entrepreneurs with limited credit history or lower scores can succeed when they have access to even small amounts of capital, individualized coaching and a clear pathway forward.”
From pilot to scale
Get Ready debuted in 2023 to confront a core dilemma for small business owners: many entrepreneurs need credit to build credit, yet conventional lending systems frequently shut out those with lower scores or sparse credit histories.
Instead of leaning on minimum credit score requirements, the program offers participants a modest revolving line of credit paired with one-on-one coaching, debt management guidance, and tailored action plans. Those who show steady progress can advance to larger capital amounts over time.
To date, the program has enrolled 174 business owners spanning 20 states. Research from the Urban Institute revealed that participants entered with an average credit score of 571—below the cutoff many lenders typically use—yet most borrowers stayed in good standing and a significant number moved on to larger lines of credit.
“I was struggling to find capital to invest in production, and I kept getting declined. At Ascendus we got to the bottom of it and worked on my credit. When I graduated, my line went from $500 to $5,000, and I felt confident. I could achieve my dream of being a successful entrepreneur.”
Gisele Eboma, Owner, Surfing Queen, and Get Ready borrower
The next chapter of the program builds on those early wins. Alongside serving 480 entrepreneurs, Ascendus will raise the opening credit line from $500 to $1,000 and boost the graduation line from $5,000 to $25,000, giving participants access to capital levels more in line with traditional microloan products.
A long-term partnership
MetLife Foundation has backed Ascendus in its efforts to broaden access to capital and financial coaching for entrepreneurs. A 2023 grant from the Foundation helped launch the Get Ready pilot and fund the ongoing research measuring its impact.
About the program
Get Ready pairs a small revolving line of credit with personalized credit and debt coaching. Personal credit scores are not a prerequisite for eligibility. Each borrower works with a program manager to co-create an action plan focused on credit building, debt management, repayment priorities, and budgeting. At a three-month check-in, consistent use and demonstrated progress can increase the limit and open doors to larger Ascendus loans. Since its 2023 launch with MetLife Foundation support, the program has enrolled 174 business owners and extended loans across 20 states.
About Ascendus
Ascendus is a mission-driven, nationwide Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with more than 35 years of experience empowering small business owners. The organization provides access to capital and personalized financial coaching to help entrepreneurs achieve financial health and ascend toward lasting success. With deep local impact and national reach, Ascendus has delivered over $435 million in financial support to more than 62,000 entrepreneurs, many from historically overlooked communities. From corner bakeries in the Bronx to beauty salons in Miami, the organization helps build thriving businesses and vibrant neighborhoods, shaping a future of financial ascension for all. ascendus.org
About MetLife Foundation
At MetLife Foundation, the mission is to drive inclusive economic mobility around the world. The Foundation collaborates with nonprofit organizations and provides grants aligned to three strategic focus areas—economic empowerment, financial health, and resilient communities—while engaging MetLife employee volunteers to help drive impact. Established in 1976, MetLife Foundation has contributed over $1 billion since its inception to strengthen communities where MetLife has a presence. metlife.org
Gustavo Banchero
Director of Communications
gbanchero@ascendus.org
Why it matters: This grant signals a growing recognition that credit scores alone are a flawed gatekeeper for small business lending. By scaling a model that pairs modest capital with hands-on coaching, Ascendus and MetLife Foundation are demonstrating a replicable path for CDFIs to move more entrepreneurs from financial margins into mainstream creditworthiness.
