Welcome to Pathway Navigator

Ready to grow your business?

Take our quick assessment to see if your Tennessee small business is ready to start the conversation about funding.

Plus, get access to digital tools, expert resources, and a community designed to support your success.

Start The Business Assessment

1

Assess Your Business

This quick assessment offers a personalized snapshot of your business across key areas that matter most when applying for capital.

2

Understand Your Score

View your personalized report and get insights on the overall health and loan-readiness of your business.

3

Navigate Your Next Steps

Ready for a loan? We’ll connect you with a Pathway lender. Not quite there yet? Access custom resources tailored to your business' needs.

step 1

Assess Your Business

In just a few minutes, you’ll get insights into your capital readiness and unlock tools and resources tailored to help you navigate your path to funding.
 
When you apply for funding, Pathway evaluates four key areas: sustainability, credit, cash flow, and loan request details. This assessment will help identify your creditworthiness and connect you with personalized next steps to move your business forward. Whether that’s through talking with a lender or accessing resources to grow your business.

Business
Sustainability

Credit

Cash Flow

Loan Request
Details

With the Business Assessment you’ll receive a score and a clear path forward—either accessing resources to strengthen your business or taking the next step by speaking with a lender if your business is positioned for funding.

Step 2

Understand your score

Based on your responses, you’ll receive a personalized score that reflects your business’s current position. Your report will break down what’s behind the score and offer insight into your overall financial health and funding readiness.

What Is Your Overall Score?

Business Sustainability

While each business is unique, Pathway generally prefers at least two years of operations before seeking financing. Factors like a solid business plan also demonstrate stability and readiness to manage and grow with funding.
9/22

Credit

A credit score of at least 600 is preferred, but it’s not the only factor we consider. At Pathway, we take a short look back at your credit history and a long look ahead at your business potential.
17/20

Cash Flow

The money flowing in and out of your business is the heartbeat. Strong cash flow is one of the best indicators of a business’s long-term success and repayment.
23/34

Loan Request Details

The details of your loan request—such as the amount and intended use of funds—helps Pathway assess your financing options and understand how the funding will support your business. Your down payment and collateral also play a key role.
21/24

step 3

Navigate Your Next Steps

with access to

Tools

Explore interactive tools designed to help you make informed decisions, assess your business readiness, and connect with experts.

Resources

These resources can coach you through the key areas that drive both business growth and funding success. Including topics like sustainability, credit, cash flow, loan closing and more.

Events

Pathway Lending hosts workshops, cohorts, and info sessions to equip entrepreneurs with knowledge, connections, and resources to grow their businesses.

Groups

Join dynamic peer groups to make connections and collaborate with local entrepreneurs.

Plus - View Recommended Resources Based On Your Assessment Score

  • Free
    4 Lessons

    Build a Stronger Business Foundation: 4 Essentials Before You’re Funded

    Build a Stronger Business Foundation: 4 Essentials Before You’re Funded  At Pathway Lending, we want your funding process to go as smoothly as possible. That means having a few foundational items in place before you apply for a loan.   In this resource, we’ll walk through four core elements every business need before funds can be released—from setting up your legal structure to opening a business bank account. We’ll explain why each one matters, what it helps you do, and how it sets you up to make the most of your funding opportunity.   Let’s get your business fund-ready—and future-ready. 
  • Free
    1 Lesson

    Build Confidence, Not Just Cash: Why Your Business Needs an Emergency Fund

    In Tennessee, we know a thing or two about weather storms—literally and figuratively. From tornadoes and floods to winter freezes and utility outages, small business owners here face plenty of unpredictable challenges. But here’s the good news: preparing for the unexpected doesn’t have to feel daunting—and it can build your confidence as a business owner.  When the unexpected happens—a power grid failure, flash flood, or even a key team member's extended illness—an emergency fund becomes your business’s safety net. It’s not just about protecting your operations. It’s about protecting your peace of mind.  At Pathway Lending, we want our clients to feel empowered, not overwhelmed. Let’s talk about how you can create a cushion that helps your business stay resilient through any challenge. 
  • Free
    4 Lessons

    Employees vs. Contractors

    Are you trying to decide if a 1099 employee is the right decision for your business? In this guide, we’ll look at different situations that…
  • Free
    4 Lessons

    Foundational Steps to Secure a Business Loan

    Business Insurance and Bank Account Basics for Small Business Owners  When you're preparing to apply for a small business loan, you’ll need more than just a strong business plan. Financial institutions require key legal and financial structures to be in place before they consider processing your loan. Two major requirements are business insurance and a business bank account. This guide will walk you through both, using trusted guidance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). 
  • Free
    4 Lessons

    Build a Stronger Business Foundation: 4 Essentials Before You’re Funded

    Build a Stronger Business Foundation: 4 Essentials Before You’re Funded  At Pathway Lending, we want your funding process to go as smoothly as possible. That means having a few foundational items in place before you apply for a loan.   In this resource, we’ll walk through four core elements every business need before funds can be released—from setting up your legal structure to opening a business bank account. We’ll explain why each one matters, what it helps you do, and how it sets you up to make the most of your funding opportunity.   Let’s get your business fund-ready—and future-ready. 
  • Free
    1 Lesson

    Build Confidence, Not Just Cash: Why Your Business Needs an Emergency Fund

    In Tennessee, we know a thing or two about weather storms—literally and figuratively. From tornadoes and floods to winter freezes and utility outages, small business owners here face plenty of unpredictable challenges. But here’s the good news: preparing for the unexpected doesn’t have to feel daunting—and it can build your confidence as a business owner.  When the unexpected happens—a power grid failure, flash flood, or even a key team member's extended illness—an emergency fund becomes your business’s safety net. It’s not just about protecting your operations. It’s about protecting your peace of mind.  At Pathway Lending, we want our clients to feel empowered, not overwhelmed. Let’s talk about how you can create a cushion that helps your business stay resilient through any challenge. 
  • Free
    4 Lessons

    Employees vs. Contractors

    Are you trying to decide if a 1099 employee is the right decision for your business? In this guide, we’ll look at different situations that…
  • Free
    4 Lessons

    Foundational Steps to Secure a Business Loan

    Business Insurance and Bank Account Basics for Small Business Owners  When you're preparing to apply for a small business loan, you’ll need more than just a strong business plan. Financial institutions require key legal and financial structures to be in place before they consider processing your loan. Two major requirements are business insurance and a business bank account. This guide will walk you through both, using trusted guidance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). 

Info Session for Start-Ups

Join one of our weekly info sessions for start-ups where you'll talk with with a business coach, gain insight, and learn best practices for getting your business off the ground and positioning yourself for funding.

Get Started

Complete our free business growth assessment

Step 1 of 10

Ready to Grow Your Business?

Take our quick assessment to see if your Tennessee small business is ready to start the conversation about funding. In just a few minutes, you’ll get insights into your capital readiness and unlock tools and resources tailored to help you navigate your path to funding.

Please note that this is not a loan application. It’s an initial step to help us learn more about your business. If it looks like your business is ready for financing, you will be connected to a loan application.

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