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
$10,132,024
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.