Sustainably Addressing the small business financing gap
Our mission
Our secondary market is a tool that empowers CDFIs to close the small business financing gap that disproportionately affects very small businesses and entrepreneurs of color.
Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the driving force behind job creation, particularly during times of economic recovery. With more than 10.5 million new business applications in 2021 and 2022, women and people of color are leading the way in this historic small business boom. However, an ongoing small business financing gap always threatens to derail this progress.
A history of inequity
This financing gap reflects a long-standing pattern of disinvestment and discrimination by the financial system toward entrepreneurs of color. Despite controlling for factors like business performance and credit scores, Black and Latino entrepreneurs are routinely denied funding at higher rates than White business owners. These discrepancies entrench the racial wealth gap, leaving entrepreneurial potential untapped and exacerbating existing inequities.
Additionally, entrepreneurs of color are more likely to apply for small-dollar loans of less than $100,000. The market for these loans has all but evaporated since the Great Recession because they are not cost-efficient for banks compared to larger loans – meaning CDFIs are in many cases the only affordable financing option for very small and underbanked businesses.
Empowering CDFIs
CDFIs play a critical role in closing the small business capital gap and creating a more equitable small business financing system for the long-term. However, their resources are constrained, which affects their ability to expand their lending. This is where Scale Link's approach comes in. By providing consistent, unrestricted, and long-term funding to CDFIs through a viable secondary market, Scale Link can help power the resiliency and expansion of the CDFI industry in the coming years.
Where we work:
Board of directors
Robert Villarreal
Treasurer
Francisco Lopez
Alberto Paracchini
Secretary
Board Member
Joyce Klein
Andy Kaufman
Board Member
Chair
Bernard Worthy
Andrea Levere
Vice Chair
Board Member
Amber Kuchar-Bell
Sara Razavi
Board Member
Board Member
Board of Directors
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Ana Hammock
Director
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Andy Kaufman
Director
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Andrea Levere
Vice-Chair, Director
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Joyce Klein
Chair, Director
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Amber Kuchar-Bell
Director
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Jason Keller
Director
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Alberto Paracchini
Secretary, Director
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Sara Razavi
Director
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Robert Villareal
Treasurer, Director
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Bernard Worthy
Director
Fund Management
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Brett Simmons
Chief Executive Officer
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Jonathan Brereton
Chief Strategy and Finance Officer
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Laura Pich
Director of Operations and Portfolio Management
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Jeremy Mason
Controller
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Charlie Probus
Business Development Manager
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Max Gaegauf
Senior Financial Operations Analyst
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Amirah Hewitt
Data Analyst
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Jasper Jones
Program Manager
Working with us
Scale Link is intentionally designed as a lean, narrowly focused non-profit, intent on being agile and responding to CDFI microlender capital needs. It has no direct staff, instead relying on expert third parties properly incentivized to deliver results.
Career openings
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We currently have no open roles but you are welcome to express your interest by submitting a resume to info@scalelink.org.
Scale Link is the first of its kind non-profit that creates and manages a secondary market for CDFI originated microloans. Scale Link is a start-up in the impact and investing space trying to create unique and innovative methods for delivering more capital to entrepreneurs in need.
Position with Scale Link are remote but applicants must have the ability to travel on a limited bases (less than 10%). Compensation packages commensurate with experience. Healthcare, dental, vision, and retirement match provided.
