Finalists to present at the 2025 Prosperity Summit in Washington, D.C., where one will be awarded a $100,000 contract to scale their solution.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Prosperity Now today announced the three finalists for the 2025 Rise Challenge: Network Navigator, Keepingly, and Parlay Finance.  
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This year’s Challenge focuses on identifying digital and technical assistance tools that strengthen the work of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and other community lenders. The goal is to help these institutions deliver capital more consistently and effectively to small businesses that face barriers navigating conventional financing systems.  
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Now in its second year, the Rise Challenge is more than a competition, it is an innovation pipeline designed to surface practical, market-ready tools that can be tested, adapted, and ultimately scaled through Prosperity Next, Prosperity Now’s national initiative to modernize lending infrastructure. Finalists will pitch their solutions before a live audience at the Prosperity Summit, held October 5-7 in Washington, D.C.
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“This year’s finalists are proving what practical innovation looks like in the field,” said Marisa Calderon, President and CEO of Prosperity Now. “They are solving real challenges CDFIs face, from streamlining small business loans, to supporting homeowners and housing counselors with better data tools. These aren’t just promising ideas, they’re tools ready for deployment.”
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Meet the Finalists
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Network Navigator – Birmingham, AL – Project: Capital Connect by Network Navigator: Capital Connect helps CDFIs move money faster by checking loan readiness, connecting entrepreneurs to support providers, and keeping everything in one secure space. With features like a capital match finder, multilingual access, and compliance tracking, it streamlines the lending process for lenders and small business owners alike.
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Keepingly – Miami, FL – Project: Keepingly: AI-Powered Digital Infrastructure for CDFIs & Housing Counselors: Keepingly provides an AI-powered platform that allows CDFIs and housing counselors a simple way to stay engaged with homeowners' post-purchase. It supports portfolio tracking, reporting, and homeowner engagement, helping families retain wealth and institutions maintain long-term relationships.
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Parlay Finance (Alexandria, VA) – Project: Loan Intelligence System (LIS): Parlay’s LIS automates intake, data checks, and eligibility reviews for small business loans, helping lenders reduce delays, streamline operations, and reach more borrowers efficiently.