Toronto’s Uplinq raised capital (twice) in 2022, and again in 2023, for its global credit decisioning support platform targeting small business lenders.
The startup’s financial technology innovation, recognized in last year’s Finovate Awards, empowers lenders to approve and manage risks on loans they would have otherwise declined based on traditional loan underwriting criteria, while incorporating market and community data to better understand each specific loan applicant.
Uplinq’s flagship fintech has drawn the attention of payments titan Visa. The pair recently revealed the latest result of an ongoing collaboration.
As part of their evolving partnership, Uplinq and Visa released a joint case study that considers the advantages of AI-powered credit decisioning technology for lenders.
The study’s report, “Transforming global small business underwriting with augmented data,” details challenges small businesses face in securing affordable credit, and also demonstrates how “leveraging sophisticated AI and machine learning models to augment existing underwriting processes” can result in more approved loans as well as save money and time.
On average, financial institutions using Uplinq’s technology have seen a 50% reduction in underwriting operating costs, a significant rise in average business profitability, and a major reduction in credit losses, according to data from the fintech.
“If banks can make a profit growing the economy, and small businesses can prosper in the process, everybody wins,” believes Uplinq cofounder Patrick Reily.
“Fairness, inclusivity and success in the economy are all objectives that AI can optimize itself around, and Uplinq is turning that vision into reality,” he added.
This case study builds on Uplinq’s “ongoing relationship” with Visa, through which Visa refers U.S. and Asia Pacific-based financial institutions that lend to small businesses to Uplinq.
“We’re grateful to Visa for their continued strategic collaboration,” stated Uplinq CEO Ron Benegbi, “and this case study underscores the significant potential for Uplinq’s technology to positively impact both financial institutions and the communities they serve.”
“AI-powered credit decisioning not only broadens access to affordable credit by empowering lenders to approve small business loans they would otherwise deny, but also significantly improves lenders’ underwriting efficiency and profitability—a true win for all involved,” he continued.
Ranked as a Canadian Fintech Startup to Watch in 2025, Uplinq has served as a foundation for more than $1.4 trillion in underwritten loans.
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