Small Business Development Platform

Build the foundation.
Get the capital.

Groundwork. takes small business owners from idea to lender-ready — step by step. Eight guided modules, AI coaching, real DSCR calculation, and a complete business plan. Free to start.

Start building free → See how it works
8
Guided modules
1.25x
DSCR minimum
AI
Coaching included
Free
To get started
How it works

From first idea to
lender-ready in weeks

Groundwork. guides you through the same preparation process that business counselors use — now available to any entrepreneur, anytime.

01
Assess your foundation
Start with the Business Health Check — 12 questions across Money, Marketing, and Management. Know exactly where you stand before you talk to a lender.
02
Build your case
Complete 8 guided modules with AI coaching at every step. Your Business Model Canvas, DSCR calculation, loan story, and document checklist — all in one place.
03
Get your plan
Groundwork. generates a complete, lender-ready business plan using everything you've entered — executive summary, financial projections, and loan request. Download and go.
The platform

Eight modules.
One complete application.

Each module builds on the last. Complete them in order or work at your own pace — your progress is saved automatically.

📊
Module 1
Business Health Check
Rate yourself across Money, Marketing, and Management. Get your health score and see where to focus first.
🧩
Module 2
Business Model Canvas
Define your value proposition, customers, partners, and revenue streams — with AI coaching on every block.
🏦
Module 3
Lender Lens
Select your loan type and see exactly what lenders look for — credit, DSCR, collateral, and documentation.
🎯
Module 4
Loan Readiness Score
Rate yourself across 6 lender factors and get a composite readiness score with gap analysis.
📐
Module 5
DSCR Calculator
Enter your revenue and expenses to calculate your Debt Service Coverage Ratio — the #1 number lenders evaluate.
📖
Module 6
Loan Story
Tell your story across 6 guided sections — who you are, what the loan is for, and how you'll repay it.
📋
Module 7
Document Checklist
Know exactly what your lender needs. Free templates for P&L, Balance Sheet, and Projections included.
📝
Module 8
Business Plan Generator
AI generates a complete 8-section lender-ready business plan from your inputs. Download as PDF.
Who it's for

Built for the
underserved entrepreneur.

Groundwork. was designed for business owners who have the drive but not the connections — and for the organizations that serve them.

🌱
Entrepreneurs
Whether you're pre-revenue or established, Groundwork. meets you where you are and builds you toward lender-ready — at your own pace.
StartupsEstablishedMWBE
🏢
BDOs & Incubators
Use Groundwork. as a curriculum tool for your clients. Track progress, see health scores and DSCR, and generate impact reports for funders.
SBDC PartnersIncubators
🏛
CDFI Lenders
Receive better-prepared borrowers with standardized financial packages — health scores, verified DSCR, loan story, and a complete business plan ready for your file.
Credit UnionsCDFIs
Why Groundwork.

Not a template.
A transformation.

Most business planning tools give you a blank page. Groundwork. gives you a guide, a coach, and a completed file.

🤖
AI coaching at every step
Every module includes AI-powered feedback that responds to what you actually wrote — not generic advice. The coach helps you strengthen your business model, sharpen your narrative, and understand your numbers.
📐
Real DSCR calculation
Enter your revenue and expenses and get your actual Debt Service Coverage Ratio — the same calculation your lender will run. Know your number before they do, and explore what-if scenarios to strengthen your application.
📄
Complete business plan output
When you finish Module 8, Groundwork. generates a complete 8-section business plan using everything you've entered — every fact, every number, every narrative point from your own inputs. Download as PDF.
🏦
Built by a former lender
Groundwork. was created by a former Chief Lending Officer at a CDFI credit union. Every module reflects what lenders actually look for — insider knowledge, democratized.
📊
MWBE & impact tracking
For organizations, Groundwork. automatically tracks MWBE demographics, dollars facilitated, module completion rates, and client pipeline — generating funder-ready impact reports with one click.
🔒
Your data, your plan
Everything you enter belongs to you. Groundwork. saves your progress automatically so you can work at your own pace. Come back anytime — your foundation stays exactly where you left it.
"

"The difference between a borrower who gets funded and one who doesn't is rarely the business — it's the preparation. Groundwork. closes that gap."

Jerome Emanuel · Founder, Groundwork. · Former Chief Lending Officer, Alternatives Federal Credit Union

Your foundation
starts today.

Register free, complete Module 1 in 10 minutes, and see exactly where your business stands. No credit card. No commitment.

Start building free →

Free to start · No credit card required · Your data is always yours