Ascendus

06/17/2026

The tournament is heating up, and we’re making sure our small business community survives the knockout rounds! ⚽️🔥​

We just launched Phase 3 of The Ascendus Fixture, our step-by-step playbook built to help entrepreneurs navigate the high-stakes single-elimination phase of the World Cup.​

As the brackets close, the opportunity gets hyper-local. Phase 3 is all about "Following the Bracket"—teaching small businesses how to align their specials with advancing fanbases and team up with neighboring businesses on their block to capture the ultimate match-day rush. 🤝💰​

👉 Access and share the Phase 3 Playbook here: https://bit.ly/the-ascendus-fixture-your-world-cup-2026​

06/10/2026

Something big is coming to Broward on June 12. 📅​

BRIDGE Broward, a Wells Fargo Foundation grant program, is built for small
businesses ready to grow. You're invited to the launch event.​

Save the date & RSVP: https://bit.ly/49STN2R

06/10/2026

We are proud to share that our CEO, Paul Quintero, will be a featured panelist at the upcoming Urban Institute webinar! 💼✨

Next Monday, June 15, industry leaders will come together for “CDFI Innovations in Improving Access to Small-Dollar Credit.” The discussion will center on how mission-driven lenders are designing innovative products to bridge the credit gap for households and entrepreneurs facing rising costs and traditional banking barriers.

Paul will be joining fellow CEOs Ines Polonius (Communities Unlimited), Dan Apfel (Genesee Co-op), and Nick Mitchell-Bennett (cdcb), with Brett Theodos and Amanda Hermans from Urban's Center for Local Finance and Growth leading the research and moderation.

Join us to learn how CDFIs are turning credit challenges into actionable opportunities for economic mobility.

🗓️ Monday, June 15, 2026
⏰ 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET
💻 Free & virtual event

🔗 Register here: https://www.urban.org/events/cdfi-innovations-improving-access-small-dollar-credit

Too many households in rural America can't access affordable credit when a cash flow gap hits or an emergency comes up. That's a structural problem, and CDFIs are building real solutions.

Next Monday, Communities Unlimited CEO Ines Polonius joins the Urban Institute for CDFI Innovations in Improving Access to Small-Dollar Credit, a national panel exploring new models in small-dollar lending and credit building.

She'll be joined by CDFI leaders from Ascendus, cdcb and Genesee Co-op Federal Credit Union, with researchers from Urban's Center for Local Finance and Growth moderating the conversation.

Link in the comments

06/08/2026

We are proud to announce that Ascendus was awarded a $100,000 grant from Empire State Development (ESD) to support New York State small business growth! This critical investment will enable our clients to deploy capital, retain revenue, and create jobs across the state.​

Through this partnership, we will continue our mission of providing New York State entrepreneurs with the capital and coaching necessary to build and sustain their businesses. We have been a long-time partner with ESD since 2001, and for 25 years, our two organizations have worked together to bring economic empowerment to the microbusinesses and burgeoning entrepreneurs who drive New York's economy forward.​

Thank you to Empire State Development for their continued trust and partnership as we build thriving businesses and vibrant communities together.​

🔗 Read the press release: https://bit.ly/press-ESD-award ​

06/05/2026

365 businesses. 6 host cities. 1 interactive map. ⚽📍​

The World Cup is almost here, and we’re putting our clients on the map, literally! We’ve created a special World Cup Marketplace Showcase so you can discover and support incredible small businesses in your city.​

Whether you’re in the mood for a coffee in Seattle, shopping in Miami, or exploring NY/NJ, our map makes it easy to find local gems.​

✅ Filter by host city.​
✅ Search by industry. ​
✅ Support 365 entrepreneurs ready to welcome the world.​

🔗 Check out the interactive map! https://bit.ly/fifa-worldcup-marketplace-edition