Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs
(formerly Appalachian Community Enterprises)

ACE was one of five organizations selected to be part of the new Learning Group on Scale. The Learning Group will assist participating organizations in advancing their progress toward scale by learning from the experiences of current Scale Academy members, pursuing a customized agenda that addresses their specific issues and challenges, and participating in collective initiatives designed to advance the field's pursuit of scale.

The Learning Group first met in September 2009 and will continue through 2010.

Scale-up Strategy:
ACE's scale up strategy includes the development of the Georgia Green Loans platform for small business participation in the green economy. This platform goes beyond the provision of capital to the creation of collaborations and strategic partnerships that will provide specialized green technical assistance.

ACE is also pursuing an expansion of the traditional microloan program through expanded geographic areas served as well as through providing larger loans to address those "credit-crunched" small businesses.

Background:
Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) is an SBA Microloan Intermediary, USDA IRP participant, and certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) established in 2000. ACE provides microloans, non-micro business loans and green loans, along with Business Development Services, to small businesses in 51 North Georgia counties.

Core Microenterprise Services:

• Microenterprise loans between $500 and $35,000
• Financial Literacy Education and Business Coaching
• Focus on Green Businesses

Highlights:
ACE has been laying the groundwork for scaling up for over two years, as outlined below.

• Board expansion efforts to add additional expertise in banking and green industry. Additionally working to create a Green Advisory Committee to specifically advocate for green business statewide.
• Increased the size and capacity of their staff through the addition of a Vice President of Lending, three loan officers and a Director of Community Outreach.
• Using the Georgia Green Loans Business Plan, ACE is approaching multiple sources for equity capital and operating support in 2009.
• Upgraded its portfolio management, underwriting and financial systems. Using ACCION Texas' automated underwriting system and reporting customer repayment to Credit Builders Alliance.
• Created a separate website and brand for Georgia Green.

Scale Projections: 
FY2009: 65 microloans disbursed
FY2010: 80 microloans disbursed

Learning Questions:
What type of outcome measurements/metrics associated with green loans have been developed already?

What are the greatest hurdles other organizations experience and how do they deal with them while simultaneously trying to scale up and maintain high-quality current operations?

What are others' experiences in diversifying sources of both capital and operating funds? Have others used religion-affiliated sources and what is their experience?