Alternative lending startup Kabbage is broadening its focus today. The Atlanta-based company has expanded its line of credit to $250,000 to offer more purchasing power to larger businesses for longer term loans.

This credit increase will not only serve existing Kabbage clients looking to borrow more, but will also add to the company’s customer base to include larger businesses. In a recent survey of 800 small businesses, Kabbage found that more than 73% of businesses expect to increase their revenue by more than 20% this year. Among the top investments businesses plan to make are:

• Mobile technologies, such as apps, advertising or text automation for customer relationship management
• Technologies to reduce manual process and paperwork
• Social advertising
• Cybersecurity tools and software to protect company and customer data

“Giving small businesses the peace of mind and security to focus less on their finances and more on their passions is a key tenet at Kabbage,” said Bob Sharpe, COO of Kabbage. “Increasing our lines of credit to $250,000 significantly enhances our ability to solve financial hurdles for larger and more specialized businesses that may otherwise be unachievable, which we see in the market today.”

Once they’re approved, businesses can draw on the $250,000 line of credit at any time, without having to reapply for each loan they take. Kabbage is not charging additional fees for the larger amount, has no annual withdrawal requirements, and no origination costs. Businesses can access the funds online, via the Kabbage mobile app, or on the Kabbage Card, which the company launched at FinovateSpring 2015. The Kabbage Card allows users to withdrawal from their line of credit at any point-of-sale where VISA is accepted.

Last month, the company released 2017 growth figures, stating it has extended $4+ billion to more than 130,000 small businesses since it was founded in 2009. In November of 2017, Kabbage made headlines when it brought in a $200 million credit facility. Check out our video interview with Kabbage’s President and Co-Founder Kathryn Petralia at FinovateFall 2017.

Online alternative lending company Kabbage has revealed its 2017 milestones this week. Here’s a quick, data-heavy review of the Atlanta-based company’s success:

• Has extended $4+ billion to more than 130,000 small businesses since it was founded in 2009. This represents a 30% increase in both metrics since April 2017.
• Has reached 1.5 million live data connections with its customers to enhance underwriting
• Raised $250 million in 2017, bringing its total funding to more than $488 million
• Added to its global bank partnerships with launches in France and Italy in 2017
• Received a slew of 2017 industry awards: KPMG Fintech100, Deloitte Technology Fast 500, CB Insights Fintech 250, Kabbage co-founder and President Kathryn Petralia was named among Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women, and ranked 499 on the Inc. 5000 list.

Kabbage is also announcing today it has appointed Robert Sharpe (pictured) as Chief Operating Officer. Sharpe brings 20 years of executive leadership experience from North America, Europe and Asia, and 10 years of commercial banking and corporate finance experience. In a statement, Sharpe said that he is “excited to contribute the benefits of these experiences to Kabbage’s mission of driving small business success.”

The company recently made headlines when it brought in a $200 million credit facility. Kabbage demoed its Kabbage Card small business line of credit at FinovateSpring 2015. Check out our video interview with Kabbage’s President and Co-Founder Kathryn Petralia at FinovateFall 2017 last month.

Alternative credit company Kabbage has a lot to be thankful for this week. The Atlanta-based startup received a new $200 million revolving credit facility from Credit Suisse this week. This brings Kabbage’s total debt funding to $750 million.

Kabbage emphasized that this credit facility diversifies its funding sources, which will help it scale faster and bolster its growth. Specifically, the new funds will help the company serve more and larger small businesses while offering higher lines of credit with longer terms.

Global rating agency DBRS gave investment-grade ratings to the the top two classes of the transaction, which earned ratings of A and BBB. Both classes are collateralized with assets originated through Kabbage’s automated
underwriting technology. This marks the first time DBRS has rated one of Kabbage’s credit facility transactions.

Deepesh Jain, Kabbage’s Head of Capital Markets, commented on the rating from DBRS, saying, “To earn an investment-grade rating requires a rigorous evaluation of not only our lending models, automated risk analysis, and successful history of reducing bad debt to an industry-low, but also our operational processes—from exceptional customer service to unmatched technology development.”

Kabbage has served more than 125,000 small business customers since it was founded in 2009. This week, KPMG ranked Kabbage number 10 of 50 in its list of Fintech 100 for 2017. Earlier this Fall, CB Insights listed the company in its round-up of Top-Targets for European banks. That same week, Kabbage earned its place on the Inc. 5000 list. The company most recently demoed its Kabbage Card small business line of credit at FinovateSpring 2015. Check out our video interview with Kabbage’s COO and co-founder Kathryn Petralia at FinovateFall 2017 last month.