Accessity: Using new technologies to build better pathways to capital for small businesses

There is a well-established gap between the financing small business owners need to manage and grow their businesses and the amount of affordable capital available to them. Moreover, when affordable capital is available, it often arrives in their bank account too late for them to take advantage of new opportunities.

With support from Mastercard Strive USA, a philanthropic small business initiative supported by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, Accessity, a southern California-based Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), set out to bring more efficiency, consistency, and speed to its lending operations through incorporating new technology tools such as AI. What followed was something far more significant: a shift in how the organization operates, makes decisions, and shows up for the entrepreneurs it serves.

In a conversation with Accessity CEO Mar Dietos Rendón, a clearer picture emerged of what that transformation has looked like in practice, from internal operational change to faster, more responsive support for small business owners.

What was this work designed to change?

This started as a push for efficiency using AI, but quickly became something much bigger: a transformation in how Accessity operates, with our team using technology more intentionally to move from reactive work to faster, more thoughtful support for Southern California small businesses.

What shifted as a result?

Our team increased processing capacity by over 100% using AI to move faster without losing the care small businesses rely on.

Why does this matter for small businesses?

For small business owners, speed, clarity, and access are critical. By improving our internal processes and integrating AI thoughtfully, we’ve made it easier and faster for entrepreneurs to navigate the lending process and access capital when they need it most, reducing stress, removing uncertainty, and allowing business owners to focus on running and growing their businesses instead of navigating complex systems.

What did you learn that others in the field should pay attention to?

Innovation isn’t about the technology itself; it’s about solving real problems and improving the experience for the communities we serve. The key is using tools intentionally and building a culture of continuous improvement so teams can adapt and make them actually work.

What is the next phase of this work?

Showing up earlier, using data and AI to spot risk sooner and support entrepreneurs before challenges grow, while staying aligned with our mission.

What makes Accessity’s lending model different from traditional small business financing?

Accessity’s model is differentiated by its structure and its execution. We combine responsible lending with technical assistance, and we deliver it through a system that is continuously improving through data, technology, and process optimization. Unlike traditional financing, which can be rigid and transactional, our approach is adaptive and high-touch, meeting entrepreneurs where they are, and using AI and data tools to deliver it more efficiently while maintaining strong portfolio performance.

How does expanding fair access to credit change the trajectory for entrepreneurs you serve?

It’s often the turning point, helping entrepreneurs stabilize, invest in growth, and move from surviving to building something sustainable. When access to credit is paired with the right support and delivered efficiently, it becomes a powerful driver of long-term economic mobility.

What are some of the biggest barriers small businesses face when trying to access responsible capital?

Limited credit history and complex, time-consuming processes continue to create unnecessary friction for small business owners.

What gives you optimism about the future of small business lending?

More lenders are recognizing that small business owners need flexible, inclusive capital, and we now have the tools and partnerships to better meet that need.