Website: www.smartbizloans.com
Management: Evan Singer, CEO
Founded Year: 2009
Headquarters: San Francisco, California
Description: SmartBiz Loans is a unique combination of an online SBA loan marketplace and a bank enabling technology platform.
SmartBiz: To equip every entrepreneur with reliable access to smart capital
Evan Singer loves the journey of developing and nurturing SmartBiz® with an unparalleled customer experience to fit a large unmet need. He is passionate about team building and growing a team that loves what it does and supports each other to achieve a shared mission, expanding rapidly, and becoming a leader in the market. He is the CEO of SmartBiz® a leading AI-powered small business financing platform equipping entrepreneurs with access to the right capital at the right time.
Conception of SmartBiz
According to the SBA, more than half of Americans either own or work for a small business. Small businesses create about two-thirds of new jobs in the U.S. annually and it is vital that entrepreneurs have access to funding. Small business success helps to improve both local communities and the overall economy, observes Evan. “During the last financial crisis, banks had a difficult time serving small businesses profitably and efficiently. Entrepreneurs were paying the price with sky-high rates. The Company’s founders recognized that low-cost funding fuels small business growth and they focused on fixing a broken system.”
The SmartBiz bank-enabled technology platform helps banks streamline the loan application processes through industry-leading AI combined with exceptional customer service. “We’re proud of the fact that over 60% of the SBA and term loans funded by our bank partners are for women-owned, minority or veteran businesses.”
Fintechs – Innovating and Growing Rapidly
“In my opinion, delighting customers who use your product or service is key to overcoming pain points. SmartBiz is focused on serving both small businesses and banks to help entrepreneurs get the right capital at the right time. Cutting edge technology combined with a human element can help fintech firms flourish.”
The Core Solutions
SmartBiz is leveraging data science to help fulfill the company’s mission. “Our business is built so that human innovation + technology + risk and fraud management = happy small business customers who will help spread the word.”
Leadership Traits
“I practice love and gratitude to help my team and others in my personal and business life. Business relationships are critical. I strive to make a big impact on the world by bringing together top talent who can work through solutions together.” Evan is passionate about building great teams. “I love the journey of developing and nurturing a brand. SmartBiz has created an unparalleled customer experience to fit a large unmet need. It’s extremely exciting to grow a team that loves what it does and supports each other to achieve a shared mission.”
Because the difference between success and failure is razor thin, Evan doesn’t let the highs get him too high or the lows get him too low. “I strive to be tenacious with an optimistic, positive attitude. Heading up a rapidly scaling enterprise is an amazing journey. My team and I have developed a “never quit” attitude that supports individuals and enables the entire team to reach long-term and short-term goals.”
Success Mantras
“One of my success mantras is that discipline is the only way to freedom.” Evan urges entrepreneurs to stay focused, tenacious, and courageous while doing the right thing. “Another success mantra is based on one of my favorite quotes from Theodore Roosevelt: Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, then to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”
Awards Won
- Best Places to Work in Fintech 2022
- Honored as best ‘Small Business Lending Platform’ at the 2022 Lendit® Industry Awards.
- Honored as one of the “Best Fintechs to Work For” in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 by American Banker®.
- Honored as one of the “5 Best Fintech Companies to Work For” in 2019 by TechBullion®.
- Honored as #313 on the Inc.® 5000 list of fastest growing private companies in the U.S. in 2018.