There has never been so many innovative ways to get a loan as there are today. The credit crunch has hit many consumers hard and many have been unable to attain bank loans because of it. However, in times of crisis, innovation tends to flourish.
Since the recession hit, concepts of collateral-free microcredit, online startup micro-financing and mico-lending have all become popular topics. People are innovating to help others out in their time of need and in the process, they are starting up very promising businesses.
The economic state of the world may seem uncertain, but savvy entrepreneurs who take advantage of this financial climate are sure to prosper (and maybe even change the lives of those who need help). These ways to get a loan are truly inspiring.
16 Innovative Ways to Get a Loan
From Collateral-Free Microcredit to Student Loan Micro-Lending:
Shelby Lee Walsh — Apr 6, 2011 — Social Good
16
Lebanese Liposuction Loans
First National Bank Promotes Plastic Surgery
15
Microfinance Investing
Kiva.org Lets You Become a Banker to the Poor
14
Ebay Ventures Into Microfinance
MicroPlace.com
13
Co-Branded Loaner Cars
Fiat 500 Edition Ferrari
12
Federal Help Sites for Homeowners
MakingHomeAffordable.gov Aids Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac Mortgages
11
Credit Crunch Netrepreneurs
‘Robin Hood Marketing' Takes a Social Networking Slant
10
Billion-Pound Borrowing
The UK's Olympic Village Loan
9
Fashionable Micro-Lending
Benetton's Global Campaign to Support Birima
8
Giving 2.0
Kiva Loans Lend Directly to a Developing World Entrepreneur
7
Microlending To Entrepreneurs
Richard Branson Launches Virgin Money
6
Collateral-Free Microcredit
Muhammad Yunus's Grameen Bank Has Revolutionized Finance
5
Online Startup Microfinancing
ProFounder Leverages Family and Friends for Seed Money
4
Student Loan Micro-Lending
Kiva Student Loans Let You Fund a Student's Education
3
$85 Billion Loans
AIG Bailout “The Most Radical Intervention” in History
2
Alternative Loan Products
Fair Finance Offers Affordable Banking to Urban Populations
1
American-Based Microlending
ACCION Chicago Provides Financial Access to Small Business Owners
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Viral Social Shopping Apps
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Purposeful Consumer-Focused Campaigns
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Patagonia's We Can Get There From Here Tells is Inspiring
Playful Entrepreneurial Metaverses
e.l.f. UP! on Roblox Helps Gen Z & Gen Alpha Build Skills
Humorous Payment Campaigns
Paypal's Latest Campaign Features Actor Will Ferrell
DIY Fandom Initiatives
Scotiabank's Make it Merch Launch Promotes Inclusivity & Sustainability
AI-Fueled Finance Apps
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Plastic Intervention Programs
Cleancult's Program Helps Households Make Sustainable Changes
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Beauty Innovation Contests
Estée Lauder Launches The Catalysts Program
Credit Score Repair Guidebooks
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Debt Relief Initiatives
Experian Announces a $10 Million Debt Relief for the Hispanic Community
Creativity Time Capsules
Crayola's Campaign for Creativity Reunites Adults with Childhood Art
Kids' Money Management Books
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Clothing Buy-Back Programs
Eileen Fisher Revolutionizes Clothing Recycling with Renew Program
Digital Currency Piggy Banks
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Mindful Eco-Friendly Banks
Climate First Bank is Ready to Expand Nationwide
Financial Coloring Books
Chime Boasts Activities for Financial Progress Month
Imitation Book Accessories
Novel Bookwallets Mimics Novels and Film Books for Small Leather Goods
Viral Video Databases
Viral Ideas Offers Inspiration for a Content Creator's Next Big Video
Micro-Influencer Marketing Services
SCREENSHOT Micro Boost Refines the Brand-Creator Experience
Ethical Premium Bedding
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Social Shopping Apps
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Buy Nothing New Campaigns
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Multi-Use Non-Payment Wallets
Google Wallet India Unveils an Expansion for Non-Payment Services
Marketing Idea Generators
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Future-Facing Charging Concepts
These Wireless Charger Concepts Imagine a True Wire-Free Future
Auto-Savings Digital Bank Features
Superbank Introduces a New Auto-Savings Feature
Neurodiversity-Exploring Textiles
Christopher Kelly Explores Crochet with the Interwoven Project
Financial Accessibility-Enhancing Cards
iCapital Ventures Launches the Liorcard Titanium
Hair-Reusing Fabric Companies
This Dutch Startup Uses Discarded Hair to Create Clothes and Carpets
Supportive Entrepreneur Communities
Ooutliers Shares Insights From Successful Startups
Business Founder Newsletters
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Inspiring Daily Bodycare
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Effective Retirement Calculators
Finabled Retirement Calculator Helps People Manage Their Finances
AI Startup Pitch Assistants
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20-in-1 Hair Treatment Sprays
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Beauty Innovation Funds
L’Oréal's Inclusive Beauty Fund Recipients Were Announced
Tech-Powered Business Solutions
Apple Business Connect Leverages the Brand's User Base
Battery-Ready E-Boilers
The BOLT Electric Boiler is Revolutionizing Home Heating and Hot Water
AI-Crafted Banking Ads
The U.S. Bank Debuts 'The Power of Us' Campaign
Rewarding Graduation Cards
Hallmark and Venmo Created Giftable Cards for the Class of 2024
Flying Umbrella Prototypes
This Hands-Free Device Hovers Above You to Protect From the Rain
Loneliness-Combating Social Campaigns
Hinge Launches the New One More Hour Campaign and Fund
Blockchain-Powered Credit Unions
KeyPoint Credit Union Joins a Banking Innovation Program
Petite Solar-Powered EVs
The 'Buggy' is a Micro Vehicle That Offers Comfortably Compact Motoring
Improved Car Shopping Experiences
The BofA is Streamlining Automotive Purchasing for its Clients
Insightful Fraud-Battling Initiatives
TPAY Addresses Fraud in Mobile Payments
Startup Name Generators
FindName Suggests Countless Ideas to Help Name Your New Business
Cheeky Financial Stress-Alleviating Campaigns
HOPWTR Has Debuted a Creative Promotional Campaign
AI-Driven Financial Education Games
Money Smarts Unveils AI Financial Game on Indiegogo
Accessible Home Improvement Services
IKEA Canada Introduces Payplan by RBC
Skincare Investment Campaigns
Kiehl's Skin-Vestment Pairs Skincare Solutions and Financial Jargon
Artist-Led Music Streaming Stores
The SoundCloud Store Lets Artists Create Their Own Merch
Money Management Platforms
Wealth Calculator Lets You Visualize Your Investment Journey
Meme-Inspired Bitcoin Debuts
DogeLend Generates Significant Interest with Its Innovative Presale
Small Business Grants Program
eBay Kicks Off Its Fifth Annual Up & Running Grants Program
Idea-Testing Startup Tools
Startup Idea Tester Streamlines the Early Stages of a Business
Youth-Focused Financial Literacy Guides
Lakefront Finance Targets Gen Alpha, Gen Z & Millennials
Account-Managing Finance Features
Entrust Launches a New Digital Account Opening Solution
Privacy-First Finance Apps
'Skwad' Helps Users Track Spending Without Linking Bank Accounts
BNPL-Backed Credit Cards
Klarna Debuts a New Credit Card with Maximized Savings and 10% Cash Back
Digital Student Opportunities
Campus Connect Links Students to Tailored Opportunities Worldwide
Visual Payment Apps
Vizme Turns the Experience of Sending or Spending Money Into Stories
Personal Cubicle Concepts
Ma. Camilla Isabel Reyes Designs a Personal Working Pod Concept
Student-Focused Credit Cards
Neu Launches a Credit Card for College Students Building Their Credit
Immigrant-Supporting AI Finance Apps
Lola4i is Leap Financial's AI Tool for Immigrant Support
Athlete Financial Partnerships
The Shaquille O’deal Campaign Educates on Financial Freedom
P2P Clothing Rental Platforms
Sizters: Rent & Lend Fashion Provides Luxury Wardrobes to Rent
Supportive Female Entrepreneur Scholarships
Swerve Boasts the Swerve(HER) Elevation Scholarship
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Sustainable Finance Accelerators
Commerzbank Taps Tenity for a New Sustainable Finance Accelerator
Inspiring Creator-Focused Decks
TikTok Launches a New Creative Content Inspiration Deck
BNPL Shopping Subscriptions
Klarna Adds a Subscription Plan for Frequent Shoppers
Youth Intern Social Stunts
Louis Vuitton Hires a 13 Year Old Intern After Sketches Went Viral
Global Money-Transferring Apps
HSBC Unveils its Inclusive 'Zing' App and Debit Card in the UK
AI-Powered Marketing Strategies
The M1 Marketing Strategy Generator Will Build a Strategy
Inspirational Learning Management Tools
'Get Inspired' Offers Digestible Snippets of Content
Upgraded Crowdfunding Platforms
Kickstarter Now Allows Users to Pledge for a Campaign Late
AI Business Consultants
15-Minute Business Plans Helps Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
BNPL Bank Programs
Marqeta and Credi2 Collaborate to Enhance the Banks' Payment Capabilities
Broken Bike Lock Furniture
Design Students Showcase the People and Places Exhibition
Layoff-Tracking Job Connectors
Layoff Tracker Helps Those Impacted by Layoffs Find Work
Entrepreneurial Mentorship platforms
GrowthMentor Connects Individuals for 1:1 Support
Financial Literacy Platforms
Secret U Supports Gen Z Women with Free Tools for Financial Success
Intelligent Loan Platforms
Levr.ai Helps Small Businesses Access Better Funding Options
Streamlined Job Application Tools
Flash Apply Saves Candidates Time and Energy
Effective Productivity Strategies
64Hacks Takes a Community-Driven Approach to Streamline Workflow
AI Elevator Pitch Generators
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Explorative Entrepreneur Ideas
Hustle Momumtum Invites You to Discover and Launch Side Hustles
Billboard-Transformed Tent Shelters
Wunderman Thompson Morocco Creates the Life-Saving Outdoors
Cryptopunk NFT Collections
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Transparent Fintech Lending Platforms
Scienaptic Helps Mitigate Risk with the Help of AI Tech
Supportive Entrepreneurial Communities
The Zenpreneur Community Provides Resources and Support
Vote-Encouraging Coin Campaigns
The Community Creates the Limited Electoral Coins
Beginner Business Wisdom
Beginner Maps Uses Insights From Experts to Help New Businesses Thrive
Global Money-Managing Apps
Zing Empowers Users to Send Money Internationally, Worry-Free
Millet-Based Healthy Snacks
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Hospitality Neighborly Initiatives
Hotel Indigo Launches Neighborly Borrowing Program
Kid-Friendly Financial Support Apps
Goaly Offers Financial Lessons for Kids and Their Parents
Democratized Financial Service Tools
Plaid Aims to Make Financial Services More Accessible
Integrated Business Banking Tools
PennyFlo Streamlines Financial Management for Businesses
Network-Connecting AI Solutions
Village AI Connect with Your Network to Close Deals
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One Year Wiser Interviews People One Year After Launch
Social Isolation-Combating Platforms
TimeBank by Healthfirst Foundation Has Debuted a New Platform
Connective Non-Profit Funding
Wingtap Connects Users with Charities in Need of Fund
Natural Material-Transformed Artworks
Borrowed Earth Collaborative Uses Natural Materials for Art
Inventive Charity Initiatives
Spark Financial's Annual Charity Initiative is for Autism Awareness
Online Tip Collecting
Tipsme Changes the Way Individuals and Businesses Collect Tips
Junk Removal Financing Options
Jiffy Junk Has Introduced a Financing Program
Video Testimonials Tools
Feedspace to Boost your Business's Credibility in the Market
Enhanced Australian Lendtech Firms
Grapple Invested into its Financier Platforms with AI Tools
Flexible Payment Features
Jifiti Has Introduced Tap Now, Pay Later™ Technology
Australian Fintech Lending Tools
BeforePay Group Launched 'Carrington Labs' for B2B Lending
Intellectually Stimulating Social Media
Maven Goes Back to Basics with Traditional Algorithms
Personal Financial Assistants
Timmy Offers Tailored Suggestions to Improve Spending Habits
Daily Inspirational Quotes
Models of Life Offers Real, Inspirational Quotes and Narratives
Empowering Trader-Focused Campaigns
Vantage Markets Debuts New Phase of Reborn a Trader
Community Borrowing Apps
Borrow Encourages Neighbours to Interact and Share
Shared Kitchen Initatives
Metro & Food Banks of Quebec Address Food Insecurity
Connective Economic Travel
Swapper Helps Business Travelers Use Hotel Budgets to Stay with Friends
Entrepreneurial Journey Insights
Founder Folks Teaches You How Founders Launched Their Business
Digital Commercial Payment Apps
Mastercard Unveils the Mobile Virtual Card App for Businesses
Friendship-Focused Finance Agreements
'Friends Over Money' Let's You Make Agreements with Friends
Automated Credit Application Tools
Bectran & Cobalt Collaborate to Battle Credit Application Fraud
Credit-Boosting Rental Payments
Bloom Credit Unveils Credit-Building Tool for Renter Payment Data
Business Slogan Generators
The Slogan Generator Will Create a Catchy Slogan for Any Business
Entrepreneurial Community Building
VenturePals Steps in to Help Solo Entrepreneurs Find Community
Local Economic Growth Initiatives
Hershey's is Supporting Village Savings and Loan Associations
Income-Estimating Finance Tools
Rapidio Introduces a New Income Assessment Tool for Underwriters
Enhanced Loan Extraction Platforms
Hypercore AI Released the PDF Loan Term Extraction Tool
B2B Credit Decision Tools
Krebit Streamlines the Financial Process for Credit Card Applicants
Collaborative Insights Sharing
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Creativity-Focused Online Networks
NOCK is an Online Network for Creatives to Collaborate
Growth-Based Marketing Platforms
Crowdtiv Connects Mentors and Mentees to Grow Businesses
Boomer-Style Rent Giveaways
Koala Introduces the 'Boomer Blocker' Initiative for Australians