Every person is worth investment

Eskala provides access to financial services and economic opportunity for vulnerable populations abroad.

Microfinance was Missing Equity

Eskala fosters financial inclusion by investing in locally-owned and led businesses. We plan to manage a portfolio of 20,000 banking, agroforestry, and agricultural cooperatives that will empower 18 million people living in poverty with financial services.

Impact Themes

Financial Inclusion

Sustainable Agriculture

Climate Resilience

Female Empowerment

What is Eskala?

206+

Community-Owned
Banking Cooperatives

Majority Women-Led

$10,975,977

in total capital invested and lent to inspiring entrepreneurs

Less than 3% default on loans and
100% survival rate of community bank partners

In the News

Forbes

Startup Eskala aims to reimagine microfinance with micro-entity

August 30, 2021

Milwaukee Business Journal

Wisconsin business leaders see chance to make social impact through Global Brigades’ for-profit microfinance firm 

August 25, 2021

American Banker

What aspiring bankers can learn from microfinance in Central America 

September 8, 2021

BizTimes

Marquette’s Global Brigades nonprofit spins off microfinance firm with $1.2 million raise 

September 2, 2021

Why We Are Different

Eskala’s team has the passion, dedication and cultural and regulatory know how to work in emergining economies around the world.

Our current group of over 200 investees are located in rural and under resourced regions of Central America and West Africa. Eskala empowers and educates these entrepreneurs to grow sustainable businesses and collaborates with communities to create flexible solutions that meet local needs.