For small businesses across the United States, access to financing remains a persistent challenge. Traditional banks have long dominated the lending space but have steadily withdrawn from issuing small-dollar loans, leaving a gap that fintech companies are now racing to fill. At Fintech Meetup, industry leaders convened to discuss how technology is revolutionizing small business lending—streamlining the application process, integrating AI into underwriting, and making capital more accessible to entrepreneurs who have historically struggled to secure funding.

The Evolution of SBA Lending

During the session, Cody, Founder of Find Out Ventures, reflected on the genesis of his lending platform, which emerged at the height of the pandemic. As small businesses scrambled to secure Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, inefficiencies in the process became glaringly evident. The traditional system was fragmented, manual, and riddled with bureaucratic hurdles. Recognizing an opportunity, his team built a technology-enabled lending infrastructure that serviced over 120,000 businesses, simplifying what was once a notoriously arduous application process.

“The SBA process has always been complicated,” Cody explained. “We saw an opportunity to create a digital-first platform that could remove friction and make it easier for small businesses to access capital.”

Find Out Ventures' approach evolved into Annuity, which has now scaled to become one of the largest facilitators of SBA-backed loans. By leveraging real-time data and automation, the company helps small businesses navigate the Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) loan program, offering financing tailored to their revenue cycles.

Bringing Fintech Speed to a Traditionally Slow System

SBA loans are often regarded as a gold standard for small businesses due to their favorable terms and low interest rates, but the cumbersome application process has deterred many. Borrowers face complex paperwork, extensive documentation requirements, and long approval times—barriers that fintech is now addressing.

A key player in this transformation is Praxis, a financial services consultancy specializing in human-centered design and regulatory compliance. The firm has played a pivotal role in digitizing loan applications for lenders like Annuity, ensuring that borrowers are guided through the process with minimal friction.

“When you look at the SBA process, it’s a labyrinth of forms, disclosures, and regulatory checks,” said a Praxis executive. “We focus on making the experience intuitive—helping borrowers understand what’s required, removing unnecessary steps, and ensuring real-time feedback to keep them engaged.”

The Role of AI in Lending Decisions

One of the biggest challenges in small business lending is underwriting risk. Traditional models rely on historical financial statements, credit scores, and manual review processes—a methodology that often overlooks high-potential businesses that lack conventional credit history.

AI-driven underwriting is changing that. Fintech lenders are analyzing real-time revenue streams, transaction histories, and behavioral data to assess borrower risk more accurately. The result? Faster approvals, more flexible loan structures, and a greater number of businesses qualifying for financing.

“We’ve moved beyond static underwriting models,” Cody said. “AI allows us to predict which businesses will succeed based on dynamic indicators, not just past performance.”

Addressing the Trust Gap in Small Business Lending

Despite these advancements, one of the biggest obstacles in lending is trust. Small business owners are naturally wary of sharing sensitive financial data, particularly with non-traditional lenders. The fintech industry is tackling this by enhancing transparency, offering pre-screening tools, and allowing borrowers to see estimated loan terms before committing to full applications.

“Trust is the most critical factor in lending,” said a Praxis executive. “We ensure that small businesses aren’t just another application number. They get clear, real-time updates on their status, personalized guidance, and a process that feels built for them—not for the lender.”

Scaling a Fintech Lending Operation

Scaling a fintech lending platform is no small feat. The session highlighted that building a digital-first lending infrastructure requires more than just technology—it demands deep relationships with banks, regulatory bodies, and funding partners.

Find Out Ventures initially expected to process a few hundred million dollars in loans. Instead, their lending infrastructure facilitated over $11.4 billion, servicing thousands of businesses at a time when traditional banks hesitated.

The firm has now established a network of banking partners to fund its SBA loan offerings, ensuring a stable capital pipeline to meet growing demand.

The Future of Small Business Lending

Looking ahead, the lending space is poised for further disruption. The panelists identified three key trends shaping the future:

1️⃣ Expansion of Embedded Finance – More platforms will integrate financing directly into merchant services, accounting software, and e-commerce platforms, allowing businesses to access loans within the tools they already use.

2️⃣ AI-Driven Risk Assessment – Lenders will continue refining machine learning models to offer instant credit decisions, reducing reliance on traditional credit scoring.

3️⃣ Regulatory Evolution – As fintech lending grows, regulators will play an increasingly active role in ensuring consumer protections while fostering innovation.

For small businesses, the message from Fintech Meetup 2025 was clear: Technology is eliminating the barriers that have historically made business lending inefficient and inaccessible.

“We’re building a future where capital is available at the speed of business,” Cody concluded. “The SBA loan process doesn’t have to be painful—it just has to be reimagined.”

Final Thought

With fintech innovation reshaping lending at its core, small businesses that were once locked out of the credit system are now gaining access to the capital they need—on terms that fit their reality.

Disclaimer: The above podcast episode was generated using AI based on an interview transcript. While the content remains true to the original conversation, the voices, tone, and delivery were synthesized and do not represent actual recordings of the speakers. This AI-generated format is intended to enhance accessibility and provide an alternative way to engage with the discussion.

We’re thrilled to welcome Liberis as an official Unofficially Fintech sponsor. Embedded finance is a major theme at this year’s event, and Liberis is leading the charge by providing seamless funding solutions directly within platforms that businesses already use. They’ll be attending Fintech Meetup, talking all things embedded finance, so be sure to book some time with them! 👇

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