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
14
Lebanese Liposuction Loans
First National Bank Promotes Plastic Surgery
13
Microfinance Investing
Kiva.org Lets You Become a Banker to the Poor
12
Ebay Ventures Into Microfinance
MicroPlace.com
11
Co-Branded Loaner Cars
Fiat 500 Edition Ferrari
10
Federal Help Sites for Homeowners
MakingHomeAffordable.gov Aids Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac Mortgages
9
Credit Crunch Netrepreneurs
‘Robin Hood Marketing' Takes a Social Networking Slant
8
Billion-Pound Borrowing
The UK's Olympic Village Loan
7
Fashionable Micro-Lending
Benetton's Global Campaign to Support Birima
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
Related Ideas
Homeless Support Backpacks
The Makeshift Traveler Backpack Has a Solar Panel and More
Unique Decision-Making Companions
Ask Hank™ Will Help You with Finances and Personal Decisions
Heartwarming Bank Campaigns
Chase's Next Thing You Know Campaign Captures a Full Life
Branded Power Banks
Reale Actives Created a Wireless Battery Pack for Recharging on the Go
Analog Creativity-Inspired Installations
Moleskine Presents 'Unleash Your Genius' at BASE Milano
Financial Literacy Metaverses
e.l.f.'s Fortune Island Empowers & Educates Gen Z on Roblox
Sustainable Plastic Power Banks
The 'Fleck' Power Bank Concept by Ujwal I.K. is Stylish
Gamified Financial Education Initiatives
TD Bank and the Venture Valley Creators Partner
Social-First Local Shopping Schemes
Shop Local by Tiktok Shop Makes Homegrown Goods Accessible
All-in-One Calculator Tools
PocketCalc Simplifies Everyday Math, Finance and Business Calculations
No-Cost Digital Education Models
LearningMole Offers 3,000+ Digital Learning Materials
Business Idea Generators
Crazy Business Idea Generator Lets Users Vote and Share Ideas Socially
Rental Payment-Tracking Services
KoHo Financial Unveils a New Rent Reporting Feature for Canadians
Accessibility-Focused Financial Application Prototypes
CI&T Partners with Project Nemo
Corporate Skin-Care Initiatives
Beiersdorf Launches the Skin Care Innovation Fund
University Startup Accelerators
UC Davis Launches Life Science Venture Program With Funding
Financial Health-Focused Apps
Kedrec Recently Debuted the Cash Flow and Capital App
E-Waste-Reducing USB Keys
Back Market & Google are Making Compatible Older Laptops Relevant Again
Heartwarming Life-Tech Apparel
nanamica Introduces a New Collection for Spring/Summer 2025
Anonymous Mortgage Tools
Aster Key Uses Privacy-Focused Lenders For Anonymous Mortgages
Period Poverty Scholarship Programs
Cora Expands Its Change the Cycle Scholarship Program
Plant-Powered Biological Electricity
Alinti Creates Green Energy from Living Photosynthesis
Startup Idea Newsletters
Easy Startup Ideas Delivers Business Roadmaps For Aspiring Founders
Free Cybersecurity Educational Initiatives
Living Security Emphasizes Cybersecurity Awareness
Music-Centric Holiday Campaigns
Yamaha is Running the Cheerful 'Unwrap Expression' Campaign
Canadian Rent-Reporting Tools
Borrowell is Helping Canadians Build Their Credit with Rent Payments
Blockchain-Based Credit Scoring Solutions
Mann Deshi Foundation Partners with Algorand Foundation
Humorous Payment Platform Campaigns
The Great PayPal Checkout Spotlights the Pay Later Services
Freelancer-Friendly Corporate Cards
Juuli Debuts a Visa Corporate Card for Freelancers
Irish Tillage Advancements
Irish Distillers and Bank Of Ireland Launch a Sustainable Loan Program
Women-Focused Business Grants
Mastercard Opened Its Small Business Fund 2026 to Canadian Women
Personalized Cover Letters
CustomCV Creates Tailored Cover Letters For Each Job Effortlessly
Open Legal Templates
GitLaw Provides Free Legal Docs With Git Versioning and Smart Features
Startup Assessment Tools
Pitchago Provides AI Venture Scoring And Growth Insights For Startups
Millennial Nostalgia Banking Campaigns
Allt Bank Playfully Jabs at Millennials' Financial Habits
Credit-Boosting Financial Tools
Zenbase Introduces a Rental Reporting API for Credit Building
Fake ATM Pop-Ups
The FCA;s Mysterious ATM Promising Fortune Provides Investment Scam Warnings
Next-Gen Crowdfunding Platforms
Indiegogo Introduced Advanced Creators Tools, Verification & More
Community-Centric E-Commerce Initiatives
MyCommunity.Today Delivers Accessible Digital Tools
Commerce-Enhanced Payment Cards
Venmo Debit Mastercard Offers 15% Cash Back at Popular Retailers
Margarita-Forward Campaigns
Cointreau's Lime of Credit Returns to Fund Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
Founder Marketing Networks
Startup Growth Syndicate Offers Free Marketing Tools and Community
Uplifting Wellness Pop-Ups
The giffgaff Booost Bar Helps to Lift Moods and Energy
Gamified Crowdfunding Platforms
Tiltify Personal Helps Raise Money with Interactive Tools
On-Campus Business Incubators
San Francisco Bay University is Debuting Innovate Bay
Post-Purchase Payment Features
Swipe to Finance is an Option for Paying Over Time After Checkout
Crowdfunding-To-E-Commerce Partnerships
SHOPLINE Enters into Collaboration with LaunchBoom
Creative-Centric Campaigns
CFDA and Swarovski Launch Re:Generation Fund to Empower Creatives
Idea Repository Books
Business Ideas Database Curates Proven Business Opportunities At Scale
Early-Stage Global Innovation Competitions
Red Bull Basement 2026 is Accepting Applications
Personalized Financial Assistants
Credit Karma Introduced its AI-Powered Financial Assistants
Empowering Women Athlete Campaigns
'Stay Ready' Urges Women to Consider Their Financial Futures
Message-Enabled Payment Links
Cash App Adds Shareable Links For Quick Payment Requests
Parent-to-Parent Marketplaces
Blossoms Helps Families Exchange Gently Used Children's Clothing
Idea Generation Platforms
Mycutesoft Generates a Unique App Idea Just for You Through a Quiz
Peer-Powered Gifting Initiatives
indu and SoPost Encourage Customers to Share Samples with Friends
Personal Finance Tools
Budj Simplifies Money Management For Busy Individuals
Skincare Brand Grant Programs
Bubble Skincare Launches its 'Face The Future' Initiative
Beauty Entrepreneurship Incubators
Estée Lauder Companies Expanded Its India Innovation Initiative
Embedded Lending Platforms
Adyen Launched SMB Financing Through Platforms
Idea Generation Tools
One Million Ideas Offers Endless Inspiration for Companies and Users
Accessible Skincare Gadgets
InventHelp Showcases a Hands-Free Lotion Applicator
Worldwide Service Marketplaces
Airbnb Services are for Booking Everything from Catering to Makeup
Convenient Elastic Shoelaces
Bread Laces Reinvent Everyday Footwear with Slip-On Simplicity
Tech-Friendly Beach Chairs
PayPal's Tech-Chairs Upgrade the Classic Deckchair with Smart Features
New Tech Product Announcements
Apple Unveiled New Products at a Recent Event
Reimagined Story-Driven Campaigns
Visa Presented its 'Typewriter' Campaign at the 2025 Oscars
Creativity Self-Assessments
Crayola Creative Styles Helps People Understand Themselves & Others
Restaurant-Supporting Loyalty Platforms
inKind Boasts Its Successes on Its 10-Year Anniversary
Content Idea Generators
Spin The Wheel and Capture Content Ideas Based on Your Online Presence
Small Business Support Initiatives
Mastercard Awards Ten Female Entrepreneurs with Grants
Supportive Property Purchase Applications
Homie is Helping Canadians Purchase Their First Property
Financial Learning Platforms
Cash Critters Introduces Kids To Core Money Skills Through Play
Peer-to-Peer Sharing Tools
Shapp Enables Renting And Sharing Everyday Items Locally And Easily
Peer-To-Peer Rental Marketplaces
Life4Rent Emphasizes Efficiency and Trust with Its Platform
Expanded Purchase Financing Tools
Klarna Inks a Deal with Walmart for its Buy-Now-Pay-Later Tool
Niche Private Market Funds
Pursuit Asset-Based Income Fund Targets Niche Market Funds
AI Business Pitching
Shark Puddle Allows Entrepreneurs to Test Ideas with AI Sharks for Feedback
Accessible Mobility Financing Initiatives
CA Auto Bank Partners with Olmedo Special Vehicles
Need-Based Public Fundraising Initiatives
The Salvation Army Urges Public Support in New Campaign
Heartfelt Bank Ads
Synchrony Bank’s Lemonade Stand Campaign Spotlights the Power of Saving
Accessible Credit Card Guidelines
UK Finance Has Launched a New Accessible Cards Code of Practice
Startup Asset Marketplaces
SimpleClosure Enables Founders to Sell Company Assets After Shutdown
Startup Growth Strategies
Do Things That Don't Scale Offers Startup Tactics for Growth
Women Wealth Profiles
Millionaires List Showcases Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs And Their Paths
Canadian Entrepreneur-Focused Marketplaces
Futurpreneur Marketplace Emerges as a Timely Initiative
Redesigning Restful Moments
The ANEW Project Turns Daily Objects into Mini Retreats
Financial Education-Focused Partnerships
Banking Academy of Vietnam and Vantage Foundation Partner
Cheeky Auto Campaigns
Hyndai Presents the Entertaining and Practical He Got Money Campaign
Innovative Financial Visualization Tools
ThePricer.org Debuts Money to Time Calculator
Celebratory Innovation Coins
The United States Mint 2026 $1 Innovation Coins Come in Four Designs
Minimalist Journaling Methods
World's Simplest Journalling Guide Teaches Quick Creative Tips
Bank Branch Refresh Initiatives
S&T Bank Strives to Modernize Its Locations to Meet Consumer Needs
Startup Lead Trackers
Pocket Leads Delivers New RFPs and Business Opportunities Monthly
BFF-Themed Financial App Campaigns
Experian Embraces the Concept of 'Big Financial Friend'
Small Business-Focused Accessibility Programs
FUIB and Big City Lab Introduce Accessibility Check
Crypto Investment-Focused Credit Refunds
Gems Launchpad Enhances Crypto Investment Safeguards
AI-Powered Holiday Spending Tools
TomoCredit Uses AI to Help with Managing Holiday Spending
Real-World Business Ideas
People Problems Discovers Real Business Opportunities From Daily Needs
Personal Finance Planning
FinancialAha Streamlines Financial Planning and Projections
Checkout-Based Micro-Donations
Adyen and adidas expand donation features at checkout
Whimsical Soccer-Themed Illustrations
Visa Commissions Art in Connection to FIFA World Cup
Student-Friendly Bank Visits
Garanti BBVA Invites Classes to Learn Financial Literacy
Self-Custodial Banking Apps
The 'Coca 3.0' App Separates Financial Tools From Fund Ownership
Intern Application Automation
Internshark Helps You Find and Apply to Internships at Record Speed
Youth-Targeted Finance Campaigns
Little Learners, Big Earners Teaches Money Basics to Gen Alpha
Interest Projection Tools
CD Calculator Helps You Estimate Interest Earnings With Ease
Curated Startup Pitches
Startup Pitch Videos Curates Top Startup Pitches From Global Accelerators
Business Plan Development Services
Akademily Pivots to Serve the Needs of Entrepreneurs
Personal Finance Visualizers
Budget Visual Helps Users Track and Analyze Finances Easily
Library-Bound Micro-Learning Apps
Library Ideas Has Partnered with Blinkist to Enhance Access
Idea Validation Platforms
Idea Kiln Lets Creators Share Ideas And Gather Feedback Efficiently
Accelerated AI Funding Platforms
Franchise Now Speeds Up Lending and Onboarding with Automation
Personal Loans Marketplaces
Ratehub Has Launched Its Custom-Built Tool — LoanFinder
Inclusive Bank Access Guides
Nationwide Published Detailed Access Guides at Its Branches
AI Loan Finders
QuoteShack Helps You Find The Best Lender And Rate Quickly
Entrepreneurship Term Guides
InvestRoster Dictionary Offers 600+ Terms for Entrepreneurs’ Success
Accessibility-Focused Homeownership Programs
Sun West Mortgage Company Partners with Crib Equity
Multi-Currency Market Tools
Waza Introduces the Lync Platform for FX Liquidity
Grant Discovery Platforms
Startup Grants Helps Founders Find and Apply For Non-Dilutive Funding
Personal Finance Tools
Coinly Helps Users Track Savings Goals And Financial Growth Effectively
Hyper-Targeted Book Covers
Monzo Launched The Book of Money with 800 Bespoke Cover Titles
Service Business-Focused Financial Solutions
FieldPulse Joins Forces with Acorn Finance
Regional Innovation Funds
Michigan Launched a Startup Investment Program Across Multiple Sectors
Renter-Focused Multi-Layer Bank Verification
Rent with Clara Combats Rental Application Fraud
Reinvented Compact Living
An Affordable Housing Prototype Meets Modern Needs on a Micro Scale
Civic-Led Buy Local Campaigns
City of Toronto Launches 'Love Local' Campaign to Support Businesses
Climate Tech Academies
Climestart Provides 105 Lessons To Launch A Climate Tech Venture
Business-Style Finance Platforms
You, LLC Helps Manage Finances Like a Business With Private Data
Fintech Software Suites
OneFin Provides Comprehensive Banking & NBFC Solutions
Startup Funding Directories
Credit for Startups Helps Entrepreneurs Discover Funding Opportunities
Creative Protest Archives
Pocket Protests Showcases Global Creative Resistance Against Fascism
Mortgage Comparison Tools
Compare Mortgage Rates Helps Users Find And Compare UK Mortgage Deals
Intelligent Pricing Insights
Payday Analyzes Quotations To Optimize Pricing And Suggest Upsells
Rapid Business Planning
I Have An Idea Delivers Business Plans, Customer Profiles, And Strategies
Startup Essentials Bundles
The App Tool-Kit Helps Digital Creators Launch with the Right Tools
Child-Specific Peer Donation Networks
Let’s Match Mums Connects Mothers With Preloved Kids’ Goods
Local Business Finders
BuyLokals Helps Users Discover and Support Community Businesses
Startup Partnership Platforms
Foundance Helps Startups Find Co-Founders and Structures Agreements
Renewable Loan Surges
IREDA Expands Green Lending To Accelerate India’s Clean Power