‍Winning solutions to be integrated into Prosperity Next to strengthen how capital reaches communities through CDFIs

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Prosperity Now, in collaboration with Accenture and Avanade, today announced Parlay Finance as the winner of the 2025 Rise Challenge. The company will receive a $100,000 implementation contract to integrate its solution into Prosperity Next, Prosperity Now’s national platform supporting Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and other community lenders.

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“The Rise Challenge is about surfacing solutions that actually work – tools that help CDFIs move money faster, build stronger client relationships, and reach more people,” said Marisa Calderon, President and CEO of Prosperity Now. “Parlay's solution reflects the kind of forward-thinking execution that Prosperity Next is designed to support.”

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Parlay Finance was selected for its potential to deliver measurable improvements in lender performance and community outcomes through integration into Prosperity Next. Parlay’s Loan Intelligence System automates intake, data checks, and eligibility reviews for small business loans, helping lenders reduce delays, streamline operations, and reach more borrowers efficiently.

“We are thrilled to win the 2025 Rise Challenge and look forward to working with Prosperity Next to empower CDFIs with scalable AI-powered technical assistance for small businesses across the country," said Alex McLeod, cofounder and CEO of Parlay Finance.

Now in its second year, the Rise Challenge identifies practical, scalable tools that help CDFIs and similar lenders strengthen their internal operations and better meet the needs of the people they serve. The focus is on solutions that enhance how these institutions function: tools that reduce administrative burden, improve data visibility, and expand access to capital, while supporting the trusted role these institutions play in their communities.  

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This year’s competition drew innovative proposals from across the country, culminating in a live pitch event at the 2025 Prosperity Summit in Washington, D.C. The three finalists—Keepingly, Network Navigator, and Parlay Finance—each presented how their solutions could strengthen how capital flows through CDFIs and community lenders. From expanding data visibility to improving operational systems, each proposal brought a practical, forward-looking approach to the challenge.  

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“At Accenture’s Founder Development Program, we are proud to partner with Prosperity Now on the Rise Challenge to spotlight entrepreneurs who are reshaping how capital flows to small businesses,” said Dujon Smith, Global Investment Lead, Accenture Founder Development Program. “By bringing forward digital tools that strengthen CDFIs, these companies are helping break down barriers and create more opportunity for all. This is about more than technology—it’s about building infrastructure that enables inclusive innovation to scale.”

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“What excites me most about this year’s winner is how thoughtfully they’ve applied technology to meet lenders and entrepreneurs where they are,” said Rodrigo Caserta, CEO of Avanade. “From making lending processes faster and more transparent, to giving counsellors and homeowners tools that strengthen long-term financial health, to using automation to expand small business access, these solutions show how digital innovation can deliver real resilience. In today’s fast-moving world, it’s not just about doing more with less, it’s about building systems that last and open doors for more people to thrive.

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The Rise Challenge is one of several Prosperity Now initiatives focused on building practical tools and partnerships that improve how lenders operate, supporting long-term financial stability for families, businesses, and communities nationwide.  

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