On the TechTO stage ×2
The Founders Journey ft. Ron Benegbi of Uplinq
Watch on YouTube ↗The Inspiring Story of Uplinq | Fireside Chat with Founder Ron Benegbi
Watch on YouTube ↗First seen on the TechTO stage in 2023. Every talk is searchable — ask the archive about Ron ↗
In their words
My dad was baking bread at night to put food on the table, and in 1973 he went to a bank. The banker said, 'Mr. Benegbi, you really don't qualify for how the bank lends to small business. However, I believe in people. Here's $5,000.'
When you're doing these transactions, it's got to be win-win, because if somebody loses, they're going to take shortcuts to make sure they make it up somewhere along the line.
At Uplinq, what we're trying to do is change the landscape of small-business lending. We work with lenders all over the world, big and small, and we provide them with a lot of data, enabling them to make better credit decisions for loan applicants.
Whatever you do, never ever stop putting them in the funnel, because the minute you do, it will dry up.
More from TechTO ×3
Quick answers
Who is Ron Benegbi?
The founder and CEO of Uplinq Financial Technologies, a Toronto fintech providing credit-assessment-as-a-service to small-business lenders. Uplinq is his fifth startup, after roughly two decades in the loyalty and rewards industry.
Why did Ron Benegbi start Uplinq?
He's the child of immigrants to Canada. In 1973 a banker gave his father $5,000 to start a small business despite him not qualifying, which became the springboard for the family. Uplinq exists to widen small-business access to fair credit.
How many times has Ron Benegbi spoken at TechTO?
Twice — a 2023 Founders Journey episode and a 2024 fireside chat, 'The Inspiring Story of Uplinq.'