Microfinance Meets Crowdfunding

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At Accion, we're committed to bringing affordable microfinance solutions to small business owners who need them. We're an organization with a nationwide reach that has helped thousands of small business owners grow and thrive. A recognized leader in U.S. microfinance, we help small business owners use microloans to build their businesses. We are part of the U.S. ACCION Network, the largest domestic microlending network, with over $272 million lent since inception in 1991. About the Accion/Smallknot Partnership Accion and Smallknot have partnered to create a revolutionary co-funding product that brings microlending and crowfunding together to provide a new funding alternative for small business owners. This partnership helps small businesses leverage crowdfunded capital on Smallknot to get access to loans from Accion and helps increase visibility of the business' campaign. How It works Small business owners apply for a microloan through Accion (loan requirements)and are prequalified for loans ranging from $500-$50,000 (average size $8,000). In order to improve and grow credit history and grow the visibility of the business, small businesses create a crowdfunding campaign on Smallknot and use the money raised to guarantee a larger loan with Accion. Once the Smallknot campaign has been created, Accion, the small business owner, and Smallknot promote the campaign. When the goal is reached, all or a portion of the money raised on Smallknot is sent to Accion who then disburses a larger loan to the small business owner. Once the loan is paid in full, Accion returns the cash collateral (money raised on Smallknot) to the business owner who uses it to continue to invest in the business. Why the Smallknot/Accion co-funding program? Co-funding with Accion/Smallknot helps build your credit history which is very important for small business owners who are trying to grow their business and eventually access higher amounts of capital. In addition to the business owner and Smallknot, Accion helps bring more visibility to the campaign on Smallknot increasing the chances of funding success and ultimately raising the visibility of the business itself. Once the loan is paid in full, the business owner has a cash cushion that can be used to further invest in the business.

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Boost Your Business with a New Kind of Localized Funding

Erica Dorn Community Development Manager, Accion

Ben RossenCo-Founder & COO, Smallknot

October 4th, 2012

Agenda

• Introductions

• Who are Accion and Smallknot

• Funding Products

• How to Prepare for a loan and for a crowdfunding campaign

• Group introductions

• Growing your business

• Questions

Who is Accion?

• Limited credit history

• Informal financial documentation

• Small capital needs

• High risk industries

• Under two years in business

• Flexible, community-based lender

• Cater to home-based business"I wanted to create a welcoming space for all," says Lyn, who began the studio with the help of her first ACCION USA small business loan two years ago. The business became profitable one year after opening and grew to employ twelve part-time employees. "Just as important," she continues, "I wanted to create work for myself that was fulfilling.“

- Lyn Genet Recitas, owner of Neighborhood Holistic in Harlem

Why Accion?

20% African American

Who do we lend to?

Friends & Family Crowdfunding PersonalSavings Equity

Credit Cards

ACCION MICROLOANS

BankSBA Loans

An overview of the credit continuum

Equity and Investments

Jesse, recipient of the Sprout Loan at ACCION, owner of Brooklyn Taco. Manhattan, NY

Jason, Accion client and owner of a home-based soap company

*Credit cards, Microloans and Bank Loans build a credit history.

Product Definition

Established Businesses(> 6 months)

Up to $50k

Emerging Businesses(> 6 months but not yet profitable)

Up to $30K with outside cosigner

Sprout Loan(< 6 months)

Home-based/incubator up to $5-*10K without cosigner

Products and ProgramsProducts and Programs

• Registered business owner

• Credit Score over 525 (FICO)

• No more than $3,000 in past due debt*

• No Bankruptcy in the last year

• No Foreclosure in the last 2 years

• No late payments on mortgage and rent in the last year

Natasha, Accion client and owner of Natasha Wozniak Jewelry. Brooklyn, NY

*Except The Sprout Loan, which cannot exceed $500

Basic Loan Requirements

What is Smallknot?

Smallknot is a crowdfunding platform that allows

anyone to fund a local businesses in exchange

for in-kind returns like goods, services and

special benefits.

Option 1: Raise Funding

Option 2: Build a Crowd

Benefits of Using Smallknot

• Inexpensive access to extra capital

• Build real customer loyalty and get word-of-mouth marketing

• In-kind rewards at a premium offer real value to customers

• Improve and connect with your community

• Keep money local

• We make it easy to activate your networks

Microfinance Meets Crowdfunding

Accion/ Small Knot Partnership

Build your credit history (bridge to accessing higher amounts of capital)

Increase the visibility of your business

Create a cash cushion for future investment into your business

The Accion/Smallknot Partnership

The Accion/ Small Knot Partnership

First Accion/ Small Knot Partnership:

A7

Brooklyn | NY

Hand crafted leather camera straps, made with care in Brooklyn.

Amount invested: $8,110 of $7,500

• Loan process: 5 to 10 business days* plus 30 days to raise on Smallknot

• Terms up to 60 months

• Optional auto payments

• Interest fixed rates: start at 8.99% average 11.99%

• 3-5% closing fee

• No prepayment penalties

• Payments applied to principle and interest

*Once all documents are collected

Affordable Loans

How to Prepare for a Loan

Credit Today: Scoring Systems

FICO is still the most widely used system among lenders. Scores range from 300 to 850.

New Credit

Amounts Owed

Types of Credit UsedLength of Credit History

Payment History

Key Strategies for Managing Credit

• Pay on time

• Keep a healthy percentage of available revolving credit

• Diversify your trade lines

• Pay credit cards down one by one

• Be proactive in calling your creditors

• Check credit reports annually for errors at www.annualcreditreport.com

• Use www.myfico.com to see a copy of your FICO credit score

Key Strategies for Managing Credit

Things to Consider: Coverage for a Loan Payment

• Can your business afford the loan payments?

• Is net income greater than 2x the loan payment?

• Can you afford to pay yourself and cover your personal expenses?

How much would my monthly payment be?

Principal Portion

$2,000 $5,000 $10,000 $20,000

Loan Total (including closing fee & UCC fee)

$2,130 $5,280 $10,610 $20,910

Term 12 24 30 40

Monthly Interest Rate

0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75

Monthly Payment

$186 $241 $396 $607

Things to Consider: Bank Statements

• Are deposits greater than withdrawals?

• Are there Insufficient Funds Fees (NSFs)?

• Are the balances declining or increasing over time?

• What are the frequent expenses?

Sample Personal Bank account analysis:

Example of your bank statement analysis

ACCION USA’s Products

• One-on-one: We provide coaching throughout the loan process on credit, cash flow and record keeping

• Online: Free webinars and a monthly newsletter help create meaningful connections with our clients

• Partnerships: We team up with other organizations to leverage resources and maximize strengths

More Than a Loan

Have More Questions?Contact Accion:

Erica Dorn, Community Development Manager

edorn@accionusa.org646-833-4533

Contact Small Knot:Ben Rossen , Chief Operating Officer

Ben@smallknot.com646-552-4654

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