We Built the Future of SMB Lending
An AI/ML-powered BaaS platform that expanded credit access by 37% for underserved businesses during COVID-19.
Our Impact
The Platform
The Problem
Traditional banks failed small businesses during COVID-19. The Paycheck Protection Program saw billions in fraud while minority-owned and underbanked businesses were left behind. SMBs needed fast, fair access to capital — and the legacy financial system couldn't deliver.
Our Solution
Twilixbell combined AI-powered credit scoring with blockchain-enabled transaction processing to deliver transparent, rapid lending decisions. We partnered with regional banks to originate loans and focused specifically on underserved communities — expanding credit access by 37% for businesses that traditional banks overlooked. Our AI didn't just process faster — it identified creditworthy borrowers that traditional scoring models missed, maintaining a default rate well below industry average.
Innovation Stack
AI Credit Engine
- 82–85% model accuracy for credit decisions
- Alternative data scoring for thin-file borrowers
- Real-time risk assessment
Blockchain Infrastructure
- IBM Hyperledger Fabric integration
- 35% reduction in transaction costs
- Immutable audit trails
Banking APIs
- 5 regional bank partnerships
- 3 credit bureau integrations
- Real-time fund transfers
The Journey
Founded in stealth mode with Harvard Innovation Labs support
Launched platform as COVID-19 devastated small businesses
Secured partnerships with 5 regional banks and 3 credit bureaus
Reached 150+ SMB customers and $5M in loan volume
Expanded focus to minority-owned businesses; $1M+ deployed to underserved communities
Responsible wind-down completed; $15M+ total loans facilitated to 500+ businesses
A Responsible Conclusion
In December 2020, I made the difficult decision to wind down Twilixbell due to personal circumstances that required my full attention. This was not a business failure — we had achieved product-market fit, growing revenue, and meaningful partnerships.
I'm proud that we wound down responsibly: every customer was supported through the transition, data was protected, and all obligations were honored. What we built in less than a year — during one of the most challenging economic periods in recent history — demonstrated that technology can democratize access to capital for those who need it most.