Akouba, specializes in loans for small businesses, rather than individual loans. And instead of bypassing traditional banks, Akouba works with the community banks by offing a software package that allows them to issue small business loans for under $1 million, and helps them meet their Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) requirements, something community banks often struggle with.

Akouba's software, uses an algorithmic underwriting platform to reduce the time and cost required for banks to give small business loans. The company was recently selected to the 2015 Techstars Chicago class, where it beat out 900 other applicants for a spot in the coveted accelerator.