Celebrating 25 years driving economic growth

Over the last 25 years, Pathway has expanded solutions to promote economic opportunity and social equity. As a Community Development Financial Institution, we recognize the unique challenges underserved communities face and are committed to addressing these challenges through targeted investments.

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Small Business Focused Markets

As a Certified Community Development Financial Institution, Pathway must direct a minimum of 60% of our lending to our target markets. Historically, Pathway has deployed 82% of our lending by dollar to those markets.

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African American Small Business Borrowers

$40mm+

Veteran-Owned Small Businesses

$6mm+

Women-Owned Small Businesses

$188mm+

How We Got To 25

Explore our 25-year journey from founding to becoming Tennessee's top CDFI, and discover our impact and innovation.

1999-2003

Opened as Technology 2020 Finance Corporation in Oak Ridge, Tennessee | 1999
Launched the Nashville Opportunity Fund | 2000
Launched the Chattanooga Opportunity Fund | 2001
Certified as a Community Development Financial Institution from the U.S. Treasury | 2002
Clint Gwin named President | 2003

2004-2008

Launched the Knoxville Technology & Jobs Fund | 2004
Established the Nashville location | 2005 Received two grants from the CDFI Fund to expand the Purchase Order Financing Program | 2006
Created the Alabama Small Business Opportunity Fund | 2016
Launched seven new education cohorts | 2017
Launched the Tennessee Rural Opportunity Fund | 2007
Reached the milestone of originating 300 loans totaling more than $30 million | 2008

2009-2013

Celebrated 10 years with over $37 million financed | 2009
Launched the Energy Efficiency Loan Program and Tennessee Small Business Jobs Opportunity Fund | 2010
30% of loans funded supported energy efficiency projects | 2011
Received the FFIEC Community Reinvestment Award | 2012
Launched the Tennessee Energy Education Initiative | 2013

2013-2019

Launched the Tennessee Affordable Multifamily Housing Loan Fund | 2014
Launched the Pathway Women’s Business Center | 2015
Created the Alabama Small Business Opportunity Fund | 2016
Launched seven new education cohorts | 2017
Launched the Veterans Business Outreach Center | 2018
Launched the Memphis Small Business Opportunity Fund | 2019

2020-2024

Pivoted to offer rapid loan products and virtual coaching | 2020
Launched new loan funds in Chattanooga and Memphis; Received first New Markets Tax Credits allocation | 2021
Launched the Nashville Small Business Recovery Fund in partnership with Metro Nashville | 2022
Received $30MM of capital from partners to expand affordable housing lending | 2023
Established Pathway Affordable Housing Corporation | 2024

Personalized Coaching

Recognizing the importance of capital and capacity building, Pathway ensures entrepreneurs receive invaluable support. From its inception, Pathway has been committed to fostering business acumen through education programs and coaching pre and post-loan.

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It has been so refreshing to gain business knowledge and I am thankful for the mentors we’ve had. Pathway played, and continues to play, a big part in our business and its’ success.”

Cathy Allen, CEO, Crescent Sock Company