ACE

What ACE does

ACE (Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs) is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) founded in 2000 in Cleveland, Georgia, by Grace Covington Fricks. The organization provides affordable small business loans ranging from $15,000 to $1.5 million to underserved entrepreneurs across Georgia, with explicit focus on women-owned, minority-owned, and rural businesses that lack access to conventional bank financing. ACE pairs every loan with complimentary business advisory services (one-on-one coaching, workshops, training) and operates an SBA-funded Women's Business Center (WBC) that has served over 10,000 clients since 2015 in English and Spanish. Core products include Small Business Loans, Commercial Loans, a South Georgia Emergency Disaster Relief Program, Business Advisory Services, the Annual Speed Coaching Event, and a DreamBuilder online business plan tool.

ACE's revenue model blends net interest income from its loan portfolio with philanthropic and government funding. Loan interest covers approximately 60% of the cost of providing client services, with the remaining ~40% sourced from corporate and foundation grants, individual donations, and federal cooperative agreements. Key funders include the Truist Foundation ($3.75M grant in 2022), the U.S. CDFI Fund ($2.48M award in 2023), and the SBA, which funds both the WBC ($300K annual program cost at 50/50 federal/non-federal share) and the Microloan Technical Assistance Program (~$974K at 80/20 share). The organization distributes services through direct lending via its website and field offices in Cleveland (headquarters), Norcross (Atlanta WBC), and Tifton (South Georgia regional office), and through referral partnerships with SBA, Opportunity Finance Network, UGA SBDC, and community organizations.

Cumulatively since inception, ACE has originated over $295 million in loans, funded more than 2,950 businesses, created or retained over 24,300 jobs, and delivered more than 500,000 consulting hours across 68+ Georgia counties. The organization is recognized among Atlanta's 75 Largest Nonprofits for the fifth consecutive year (2024) and was named a Top 15 Best Place to Work in 2024. Following founder Grace Covington Fricks's retirement on December 31, 2024, Martina Edwards assumed the President and CEO role on January 1, 2025, executing a board-approved five-year strategic plan.

Name

ACE

Legal name

Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, Inc.

Website

https://aceloans.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ACE is a Georgia-based nonprofit CDFI providing small business loans ($15K–$1.5M), business advisory services, and SBA-funded Women's Business Center programs to underserved entrepreneurs across 68+ Georgia counties, with a focus on women, minority, and rural business owners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Lending & Small Business Financial Services

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)

SIC

Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)

akta.pro primary industry

SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK), Financial Coaching & Budgeting Advisory (FSAEAAAH)

Keywords

• Small business lending
• Community development finance
• Women business center services
• Business advisory coaching
• Disaster relief lending

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Loan Interest Income: ACE generates revenue primarily through interest on small business loans. As a CDFI, they keep loans fairly priced and affordable while generating operational revenue. Interest on loans covers approximately 60% of the costs of providing services to clients.
2. Philanthropic Support and Grants: ACE relies on grants and donations from corporations, foundations, and individuals to supplement loan interest income and cover operational costs. Key funders include Truist Foundation ($3.75M grant), SBA cooperative agreements, and corporate partners like Sage.
3. Training and Event Fees: Some programs like the Annual Speed Coaching event charge fees ($65) to cover costs. Most WBC services are free or low-cost, funded through SBA cooperative agreements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ACE is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution that provides small business loans ranging from $15,000 to $1.5 million to Georgia entrepreneurs, supplemented by complimentary business advisory coaching and SBA-funded Women's Business Center programs. Its offering combines affordable capital with one-on-one coaching, workshops, training, and a disaster relief lending program to serve women, minority, and rural small business owners across 68+ Georgia counties.

Product overview

ACE (Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs) is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) providing a comprehensive suite of small business financing and advisory services across Georgia. The core offering consists of small business loans ($15K to $1.5M) and commercial loans, supplemented by the Women's Business Center (WBC) program offering coaching, consulting, workshops, and training. Additional services include the South Georgia Emergency Disaster Relief Program for affected businesses, Business Advisory Services with complimentary one-on-one coaching on every loan, and the annual Speed Coaching Event. The organization provides complementary business coaching included with every loan to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses alongside the loan capital.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Small Business Loans Small business loans ranging from $15,000 to $1.5 million offered to Georgia-based entrepreneurs, including SBA-backed financing and accessible capital for underserved communities. Designed for startups and existing small businesses seeking affordable capital.
• Commercial Loans Commercial lending products for Georgia businesses requiring larger capital infusions for growth, equipment purchase, or real estate.
• Women's Business Center (WBC) Program SBA-funded program providing one-on-one coaching, workshops, training series, business start-up hub, and webinars for entrepreneurs, with specific focus on empowering women business owners. Services offered in English and Spanish at locations in Atlanta (Norcross) and Savannah. The program has served over 10,000 clients.
• South Georgia Emergency Disaster Relief Program Specialized loan program providing funds for businesses impacted by natural disasters such as drought and fire in South Georgia communities.
• Business Advisory Services Complimentary business coaching included with every ACE loan to assist entrepreneurs with growing their businesses, featuring one-on-one coaching and access to financial advisors.
• Annual Speed Coaching Event Annual signature event where business owners meet one-on-one with expert coaches for focused 30-minute sessions designed to address specific business challenges, combined with networking opportunities. Registration fee is $65.

Quantifiable outcome

• $295+ million in loans originated since 2000
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• Starbucks Coffee CompanyflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024ACE partners with Starbucks and WNBA Atlanta Dream for The Dream Collective initiative, supporting five ACE clients through marketing exposure at home games and $10,000 grants. The partnership celebrates and supports small businesses, helping them overcome marketing obstacles and connect with Atlanta Dream fans.
• Atlanta Dream (WNBA)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024WNBA team partnership for The Dream Collective initiative alongside Starbucks, providing ACE clients with exposure at home games, mentorship opportunities, and $10,000 grants. The initiative demonstrates collaborative commitment to fostering equitable opportunities for small businesses.
• Prospera USAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACE Financial Advisor Juan Colon serves on the Regional Board of Prospera USA, an organization with 33 years of experience supporting Hispanic community businesses. Prospera's mission is to help Hispanic-owned businesses achieve community prosperity.
• Opportunity Finance Network (OFN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOFN featured GrapeVine's Italian Restaurant (an ACE client) in their impact stories about CDFI helping Hispanic-owned restaurants in rural Georgia. ACE CEO Martina Edwards was elected to OFN's 2023 Board of Directors.
• UGA Small Business Development Center (SBDC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWBC Advisory Board member Carolina Ramon is Director of Specialty Programs for UGA SBDC's Office of Multicultural Business Development, overseeing training and consulting for minority business owners statewide.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• LiftFund: LiftFund is one of the largest CDFIs in the U.S., providing small business loans (typically $500 to $100K) and business advisory services across the Southern U.S. Closely comparable to ACE in mission, product, target segments (underserved entrepreneurs, minorities), and CDFI structure.
• Justine PETERSEN: Justine PETERSEN is a St. Louis-based CDFI providing small business loans, housing counseling, and financial coaching to underserved entrepreneurs. Highly comparable to ACE in combining lending with deep advisory/coaching services for women and minority-owned businesses.
• DreamSpring: DreamSpring is a CDFI providing microloans and small business loans (up to ~$2M) to underserved entrepreneurs, with explicit focus on women, minorities, and rural borrowers. Nearly identical mission and product set to ACE; differs primarily by geographic coverage (multi-state Southwest/Midwest).
• Grameen America: Grameen America is a nonprofit microfinance organization providing small loans (typically up to $15K) to women entrepreneurs in underserved U.S. communities. Directly comparable to ACE's women-focused mission, though smaller average loan size and less integrated advisory component.
• CDC Small Business Finance: CDC Small Business Finance is a California-based CDFI and SBA-preferred lender providing small business loans (SBA 504, 7(a), microloans) with bundled advisory services. Closely comparable to ACE in CDFI structure, SBA focus, and integrated coaching model.
• Opportunity Fund (now DreamSpring): Opportunity Fund (merged with DreamSpring) was a major CDFI providing small business loans to underserved entrepreneurs on the West Coast. Comparable mission and product line to ACE; differs by geography and post-merger scale.

Regional players

• Carolina Small Business Development Fund: Carolina Small Business Development Fund is a CDFI lending primarily in North Carolina to underserved small businesses, with similar products (microloans, SBA loans) and coaching. Regional peer to ACE in an adjacent Southeast geography serving a similar demographic.
• Virginia Community Capital: Virginia Community Capital is a CDFI providing commercial and small business loans across Virginia. Comparable to ACE in CDFI structure, product mix, and target market (underserved SMBs), but serves an adjacent geographic region without direct overlap.

Broad incumbents

• Accion U.S. Network: Accion is a global nonprofit operating the largest U.S. network of CDFI small business lenders, providing loans and advisory services to underserved entrepreneurs. Larger, broader, and more established than ACE; comparable mission and product category.
• Kiva: Kiva is a global nonprofit crowdfunding platform for microloans (typically 0% interest) to underserved entrepreneurs. Larger scale and reach than ACE, with overlapping mission but very different funding/underwriting model (crowdfunded capital rather than balance-sheet lending).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ACE.AccesstoCapital
• Facebookfacebook.com/AccesstoCapitalforEntrepreneurs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/access-to-capital-for-entrepreneurs
• Instagraminstagram.com/acecdfi
• Xx.com/aceloans

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ACE