MicroLoan AI

MicroLoan AI helps small businesses access tailored microloans instantly using AI-driven assessments—fast, inclusive, and built for small entrepreneurs.

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Inspiration

We were inspired by the struggles faced by small business owners and informal entrepreneurs who are often overlooked by traditional financial systems. In regions where access to credit is limited, many capable individuals are denied the opportunity to grow due to a lack of credit history or collateral. We wanted to build something that would use technology to assess eligibility fairly and instantly, and connect micro-entrepreneurs to funding in a fast, inclusive, and empowering way.

What it does

MicroLoan AI is an intelligent platform that evaluates a business’s eligibility for a microloan using a simple set of business-related questions. It uses this data to assess risk and recommend loan amounts instantly—removing the need for extensive documentation or credit history. The app also includes a support system, eligibility flow, and secure contact submission via Supabase.

How we built it

We used Bolt.new as our primary development environment for the frontend, utilizing React, TailwindCSS, and Lucide-react for UI components. For backend services, we used Supabase as our database to store user data securely, especially for contact form submissions. We deployed the final app on Netlify, ensuring the “Built on Bolt” requirement was met.

Challenges we ran into

  • Bolt’s limited support for some external libraries required careful workaround planning.
  • Managing form state across multi-step flows while keeping data consistent was tricky.
  • Ensuring the frontend and Supabase backend connected securely without exposing credentials.
  • Deployment debugging, especially around directory structure and Vite config.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

  • Fully functional multi-step eligibility assessment with a clean, modern UI.
  • Seamless database integration for storing messages via Supabase.
  • Smooth deployment on Netlify with “Built on Bolt” badge.
  • Delivering an inclusive, tech-for-good solution in under the hackathon deadline.

What we learned

  • How to use Bolt.new as a development platform effectively.
  • Hands-on experience with Supabase for database integration.
  • How to think through UI/UX for financial tools with non-technical users in mind.
  • Debugging and deploying Vite projects on Netlify.

What's next for MicroLoan AI

  • Integrating more advanced AI models to personalize loan recommendations.
  • Partnering with microfinance institutions and NGOs to connect users with real loan offers.
  • Adding multilingual support and more inclusive accessibility features.
  • Implementing SMS or WhatsApp-based eligibility flows for users without consistent internet access.

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