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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Supportive Entrepreneur Communities
Ooutliers Shares Insights From Successful Startups
Credit-Consolidating Finance Apps
The 'StellarFi' App Pays Your Bills & Boosts Your Credit
Innovation-Focused Furniture Design Collectives
Haworth Launches DesignLab to Push Innovation
Micro-Living Kitchen Appliance Hubs
The Electrolux Adapted Concept Was Developed by Students
Pop-Up Reverse Supermarkets
The Give Back Express Invites Shoppers to Buy and Donate Goods
Disruptive AI-Finance Chatbots
Origin Financial Wins Big with AI Chatbot for Everyday Finance
Kinetic-Friendly Power Banks
The Conceptual 'Last Resort' Power Bank Hides a Crank Inside
Illuminated Mirror Power Banks
The Conceptual 'Mica' Power Bank Has a Multifunctional Design
Repurposed Sustainable Apparel
Toast Launches a Collection of "Creatively Repaired" Garments
Emerging Technology Publications
New Society Has Launched Its Inaugural Book About Technology
Playful Entrepreneurial Metaverses
e.l.f. UP! on Roblox Helps Gen Z & Gen Alpha Build Skills
Anti-Burnout Beer Campaigns
Heineken Canada Encourages End of 'Hustle Culture'
AI-Fueled Finance Apps
The 'Finn' App Can Provide Accurate Responses to Complex Queries
Eco Storytelling Workwear Campaigns
Patagonia's We Can Get There From Here Tells is Inspiring
Biomaterial Fashion Textiles
Modern Synthesis Creates Microbial Materials with Nanocellulose
Brainstorming Business Idea Tools
IdeaMate is the Solution to Fighting Stale Business Ideas
Student-Designed Footwear Collections
Dr. Martens and Central Saint Martins Join Forces in 2023
DIY Fandom Initiatives
Scotiabank's Make it Merch Launch Promotes Inclusivity & Sustainability
Film-Themed Cookbooks
A24's Scrounging Cookbook Takes Cues from Unusual Movie Meals
Recipe-Suggesting Web Browsers
The Inflation Cookbook has a Tool to Monitor Ingredient Prices
Free Content Creation Platforms
'Piggy' Raised $7.7 Million to Launch its Platform on ProductHunt
Creativity Time Capsules
Crayola's Campaign for Creativity Reunites Adults with Childhood Art
Usable Human Hair Materials
Green Salon Collective is Revolutionizing the Biomaterial World
Smile-Reflecting Toothpaste Campaigns
Colgate & Oglivy Create the #FreeYourSmile campaign
Kids' Money Management Books
'The Adventures of Ca$hman & Supersaver' Promotes Financial Awareness
Clothing Buy-Back Programs
Eileen Fisher Revolutionizes Clothing Recycling with Renew Program
Socializing-Centric Tiny Dwellings
The 'Buttercup' Tiny Home Lets You Have Guests Over
Digital Currency Piggy Banks
This 'Smart Piggy' Bank Concept Upgrades a Classic
Microcation Planning Services
Going Places Travel Helps Plan the Perfect Short Vacation
Innovative Seaweed Fabrics
PhycoLabs Harnesses the Potential of Seaweed in Textile Production
AI-Powered Fintech Tools
Square Introduces Ten New Generative AI Features for Content Creation
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
Linen Reform is Revolutionizing the Home Textile Market
Financial Coloring Books
Chime Boasts Activities for Financial Progress Month
Small Business Grants Program
eBay Kicks Off Its Fifth Annual Up & Running Grants Program
Housing Crisis Presentation Campaigns
IKEA Woks with Shelter to Create Four Real Life Roomsets
Buy Nothing New Campaigns
The Buy Nothing New Month Campaign Was Launched by Keep Britain Tidy
Pop-Up Interview Stores
Trainline's Fashion Pop-Up Preps Gen Z for Interviews with Free Clothing
Secondhand Fashion Editorials
Vinted Styled a Shoot Exclusively with Vinted Finds
Future-Facing Charging Concepts
These Wireless Charger Concepts Imagine a True Wire-Free Future
Gen Z-Specific Numberless Cards
Fibe and Axis Bank Team Up to Launch a Numberless Credit Card
London-Inspired Sporty Campaigns
Nike Presents the Pulse of London Campaign Honoring the City
Hair-Reusing Fabric Companies
This Dutch Startup Uses Discarded Hair to Create Clothes and Carpets
Non-Soggy Biodegradable Straws
Scientists Create a New Eco-Friendly Straw Using Lignin Materials
Origami-Inspired Solar Panels
Sego Innovations Develops a New Foldable and Portable Solar Panel
Gen Z-Targeting TikTok Tools
American Express & TikTok Launch the '#ShopSmall Accelerator' Program
Inspiring Daily Bodycare
method's Unleash Your Inner Shower Celebrates Personal Transformations
Instant Lentil Meals
Lentiful's Meals Eliminate the Time Needed to Cook Lentils
Stress Reduction Finance Apps
The 'MoneyCoach' App Takes the Anxiety Out of Money Management
Reverse Vending Machines
NatWest's Machine Helps Consumers Recycle Unwanted Plastic Cards
Gen Z Budgeting Platforms
Buddy and Klarna Teamed Up to Support Gen Z Financial Health
AI Startup Pitch Assistants
PitchBob.io Helps Entrepreneurs Refine and Hone Their Pitches
Flexible Pain Relief Patches
Kailo Flex Met Its Crowdfunding Goal in Just 45 Minutes
Influencer Search Apps
Mavn Connects Influencers with Their Favorite Brands for Paid Opportunities
Battery-Ready E-Boilers
The BOLT Electric Boiler is Revolutionizing Home Heating and Hot Water
Startup Name Generators
FindName Suggests Countless Ideas to Help Name Your New Business
Sneakerhead Mentoring Programs
eBay's Sneaker Academy Turns Sneakerheads Into Entrepreneurs
Comforting Financial Pop-Ups
Experian's Credit Paws Café is a Place to Chat About Money Worries
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
Social Shopping Apps
Locker Helps Users Organize, Share, and Earn from Online Wishlists.
P2P Clothing Rental Platforms
Sizters: Rent & Lend Fashion Provides Luxury Wardrobes to Rent
Petite Solar-Powered EVs
The 'Buggy' is a Micro Vehicle That Offers Comfortably Compact Motoring
Tax-Season Online Campaigns
These Video Ad Spots Urge Canadians to Take Advantage Of Tax Benefits
Chance to win £10,000
Meet the Cornish upcycler inspiring people
Virtual Avatar Workers
The Bite Ninja Platform Allows Retailers to Outsource Cashier Work Online
BNPL-Backed Credit Cards
Klarna Debuts a New Credit Card with Maximized Savings and 10% Cash Back
Effective Retirement Calculators
Finabled Retirement Calculator Helps People Manage Their Finances
Rewarding Graduation Cards
Hallmark and Venmo Created Giftable Cards for the Class of 2024
AI-Driven Financial Education Games
Money Smarts Unveils AI Financial Game on Indiegogo
Idea-Testing Startup Tools
Startup Idea Tester Streamlines the Early Stages of a Business
Account-Managing Finance Features
Entrust Launches a New Digital Account Opening Solution
Kid-Focused Finance Apps
ABN Amro Launches a Financial Literacy App for Children
Employee-Focused Finance Programs
Claro Money Launches a Financial Wellbeing Package for Employees
Visual Payment Apps
Vizme Turns the Experience of Sending or Spending Money Into Stories
Millet-Based Healthy Snacks
Govindjee Unveils a New Selection of Millet-Based Products
Student-Focused Credit Cards
Neu Launches a Credit Card for College Students Building Their Credit
Creatively Repaired Garment Collections
TOAST Emphasizes Sustainability in New Capsule
Immigrant-Supporting AI Finance Apps
Lola4i is Leap Financial's AI Tool for Immigrant Support
Book Monetization Models
Wattpad Introduces a 'Freemium' Model for Creator Monetization
Family-Focused Credit Cards
The Greenlight Family Cash MasterCard Helps Families Build Credit
Inspiring Creator-Focused Decks
TikTok Launches a New Creative Content Inspiration Deck
Financial Conversation Hearts
CIBC's Valentine's Day Campaign Addressed a Relationship Stressor
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
Supportive Female Entrepreneur Scholarships
Swerve Boasts the Swerve(HER) Elevation Scholarship
Accessible Payment Cards
Mastercard's Touch Cards Have Notches to Aid the Visually Impaired
Secure Card Recycling Systems
Mastercard and HSBC are Making the Card Industry More Sustainable
AI-Powered Marketing Strategies
The M1 Marketing Strategy Generator Will Build a Strategy
AI-Powered Freelance Services
Fiverr Helps People Co-Create with Artificial Intelligence
Business-Oriented Visa Cards
Veem Releases a New Virtual Visa Card for SMEs with Zero Fees
Hyper-Local Gifting Communities
On the Buy Nothing Project App, Everything is Given Freely
AI Business Consultants
15-Minute Business Plans Helps Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
Unpredictable Festive Ad Campaigns
The American Red Cross Launches the New Snowfall Campaign
BNPL Bank Programs
Marqeta and Credi2 Collaborate to Enhance the Banks' Payment Capabilities
Layoff-Tracking Job Connectors
Layoff Tracker Helps Those Impacted by Layoffs Find Work
Entrepreneurial Mentorship platforms
GrowthMentor Connects Individuals for 1:1 Support
Inspirational Learning Management Tools
'Get Inspired' Offers Digestible Snippets of Content
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
AI Elevator Pitch Generators
Elevator Pitch Uses AI to Create Personalized Entrepreneurial Pitches
Billboard-Transformed Tent Shelters
Wunderman Thompson Morocco Creates the Life-Saving Outdoors
Affordable BNPL Programs
Apple Introduces the Apple Pay Later Program to US Market
Transparent Fintech Lending Platforms
Scienaptic Helps Mitigate Risk with the Help of AI Tech
Cryptopunk NFT Collections
gmoney Secured a $1,000,000 USDC Loan Against His Ape Punk #8219
Supportive Entrepreneurial Communities
The Zenpreneur Community Provides Resources and Support
Miniature Elastic Paper-Turning Aids
Plus Designs the Mecreicco Catch to Flip Papers Over
Global Money-Managing Apps
Zing Empowers Users to Send Money Internationally, Worry-Free
Hospitality Neighborly Initiatives
Hotel Indigo Launches Neighborly Borrowing Program
Money Management Subscriptions
Revolut is Set to Launch a New 'Ultra' Subscription Tier
Integrated Business Banking Tools
PennyFlo Streamlines Financial Management for Businesses
Post-Launch Entrepreneurial Newsletters
One Year Wiser Interviews People One Year After Launch
Network-Connecting AI Solutions
Village AI Connect with Your Network to Close Deals
Kid-Friendly Financial Support Apps
Goaly Offers Financial Lessons for Kids and Their Parents
Drought-Awareness Rug Designs
Liselot Cobelens Designs the Dryland Rug in Four Looks
App-Based Employee Payments
Instant Financial Automates Access to Employee Wages with New App
Video Testimonials Tools
Feedspace to Boost your Business's Credibility in the Market
Complementary Financial Literacy Courses
Walmart & Khan Academy Offer Free, World-Class Education
Customizable Credit Rewards
ila Bank Launches a Credit Card Rewards Program for Clients
Pre-Loved Clothing Markets
Charity Super.Mkt Will Take Over Fenwick's on Bond Street
Inclusive Try-On Programs
Perfect Corp. Connects Beauty Brands with Digital Beauty Innovation
Period Poverty Initiatives
The Period Promise Campaign Makes Basic Hygiene Goods More Accessible
Thoughtful Insurance Startups
Raincoat Makes Payments Immediately After Climate Disasters
Cash-Gifting Greeting Cards
Hallmark + Venmo Cards Simultaneously Share Heartfelt Messages & Money
Community Borrowing Apps
Borrow Encourages Neighbours to Interact and Share
Business E-Money Services
Greengage Debuts a E-Money Service for Businesses to Handle Money Easily
Entrepreneurial Community Building
VenturePals Steps in to Help Solo Entrepreneurs Find Community
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
Friendship-Focused Finance Agreements
'Friends Over Money' Let's You Make Agreements with Friends
Digital Commercial Payment Apps
Mastercard Unveils the Mobile Virtual Card App for Businesses
BNPL-Enabled Home Retailers
At Home Debuts the Buy-Now-Pay-Later Program for Qualifying Purchases
Income-Estimating Finance Tools
Rapidio Introduces a New Income Assessment Tool for Underwriters
Creativity-Focused Online Networks
NOCK is an Online Network for Creatives to Collaborate
Delivery Service Credit Lines
India’s Food Delivery Brand Swiggy is Launching a Credit Card
Educational CSR Initatives
Shimanto Bank Contributes to Bangladesh's Education Assistance Trust
Boomer-Style Rent Giveaways
Koala Introduces the 'Boomer Blocker' Initiative for Australians