Access to Capital (A2C) is LSI’s initiative to make small business financing accessible to communities experiencing barriers to capital access. Its first tool is an AI-enabled navigator that connects entrepreneurs with the financing they qualify for, but struggle to find.
The Challenge
43.5%
of U.S. GDP comes from small businesses1
49%
of new U.S. businesses in 2024 were started by women2
69%
increase in women’s share of new business starts since 20192
Small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are the backbone of the American economy, representing 43.5% of U.S. GDP.1 The breadth of public, private, and mission-driven capital matches that scale: annually, these programs represent billions in allocations spread across federal agencies, state portals, local governments, CDFIs, and private sources, each with its own eligibility rules and deadlines. Historically, the cost of that fragmentation has proven most burdensome for entrepreneurs with the fewest connections. For example, women started 49% of new U.S. businesses in 2024, a 69% increase since 2019;2 yet they still face disparately higher rates of rejection when applying for financing.3
Get Involved
A2C represents what LSI was built to do: pair policy research with innovative technology so that the markets meant to expand opportunity actually deliver on their promise. If you are an entrepreneur, small-business owner, or organization dedicated to ensuring your community members can find the capital they qualify for, we want to hear from you.
Sources
