| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |  | Accelerate COS – Small Business Loan Fund A Survive & Thrive program, launched in partnership with Exponential Impact and the City of Colorado Springs | ||
2 | ||||
3 | ||||
4 | ||||
5 | This rubric is designed to ensure a fair, consistent, and transparent process. Reviewers evaluate applications based on four key categories. Each category is scored on a scale of 5 (excellent) to 1 (very weak). Our top priorities are to add jobs, retain jobs, and strengthen the Colorado Springs economy. | |||
6 | *Updated 9.30.25 | |||
7 | THIS RUBRIC IS FOR GROWTH-LOAN APPLICATIONS SEEKING $10,000 - $50,000 | |||
8 | ELIGIBILITY SCREENING | PASS/FAIL | SCORING CRITERIA | |
9 | Minimum eligibility requirements must be met Volunteer Reviewers should assert that minimum requirements are met if the application is included in review process. | Business is Registered in El Paso County, has less than 50 employees, & generates $20,000 - $2 million in annual revenue. | ||
10 | Minimum operation requirements must be met | For a Growth Loan - business has been in operation at least 2 years, demonstrating at least 12 months of profitability. The industry is eligible, and the business is in good standing with the City & the State and current on all taxes and licensures. | ||
11 | Provides ALL Required Organizational & Financial Documents *Application is ineligible if documents are not accurate or complete | All required documents must be provided and consistent: Articles of Incorporation | CO Certificate of Good Standing | Legal Formation Documents (Operating/Partnership Agreement, Bylaws) | Business Plan or Narrative | Character Reference Letter | Prior Year & YTD (Year-to-Date) Profit & Loss (P&L) Statement | Prior Year & YTD Balance Sheet | Prior Year FULL Tax Return | Three-Year Cash Flow Projections | ||
12 | Minimum of one (1) document demonstrating intended use of funds. | Does the document(s) clearly justify the need and their specific plan for how the requested money will be spent. Examples include, but are not limited to: quotes, estimates, cost breakdowns, project timeline with milestones, training provider cost and expected outcomes (e.g., certifications, SOPs, hiring readiness, staff training and development). | ||
13 | CATEGORY | SCORE (5-1) | # | SCORING CRITERIA |
14 | Financial Preparation & Capacity The business demonstrates: 1. Long- term viability and growth expected 2. Clear likelihood of loan repayment 3. Clear financial documents and record keeping, appropriate for requested loan amount (P&L Statements, Balance Sheets, Tax Returns, Cash Flow Projections, bank statements, personal financial statements, stated additional source(s) of income) | 5 | Provides complete, accurate, well-organized financials, demonstrating consistent revenue, with a clear path to profitability. Strong repayment likelihood, backed by historical performance, contracts, or predictable income. | |
15 | 4 | Financials are mostly complete and accurate with minor gaps. Current operations suggest viability, and repayment likelihood is good. | ||
16 | 3 | Financial documentation is present but limited, incomplete, or inconsistently detailed. Some signs of viability, but future revenue is uncertain. Repayment likelihood is moderate. | ||
17 | 2 | Financial documentation is minimal, unclear, or outdated. Viability is questionable, and repayment likelihood is low without significant changes or support. | ||
18 | 1 | No usable financial documentation provided. Business would benefit from developing comprehensive records before proceeding. No evidence of viability. | ||
19 | Funding Purpose & Use Application provides or demonstrates: 1. Strong, strategic goals for use of funds, and a defined plan for growth through the intended use of funds 2. Clear & attainable goals with intended outcomes or results based on the funding request (time-specified; 1year, 5 years?) 3. Supporting documentation for use of funds (invoices or quotes, sales projections, cost breakdown, project timeline with prior or planned milestones) | 5 | Provides a strong, detailed plan for fund use with clear supporting documentation (quotes, cost breakdowns, timelines). Plan is measurable, realistic, and directly connects loan funds to growth. Aligns with Survive & Thrive program goals. | |
20 | 4 | Plan is clear with most supporting documentation. Growth goals are reasonable but less detailed or measurable than a “5.” | ||
21 | 3 | Plan is understandable but missing key details (e.g., incomplete quotes, vague timelines). Impact is present but not specific. | ||
22 | 2 | Plan is vague, lacking documentation, or overly general. Limited connection to growth. | ||
23 | 1 | No viable plan for fund use provided, or proposed use is ineligible. | ||
24 | Business Strength & Founder Knowledge/Experience Business and/or founder demonstrates: 1. Relevant work/training experience & industry knowledge (bio, resume, CV, work history/experience) 2. Contributions to the local community (hiring local, supporting other local businesses, addressing community needs, environmental initiative(s), etc.) 3. Business is gaining more customers & generating more sales (market traction) (customer ratings, feedback, business reviews and scores, surveys, number and/or percentage of customer growth and retention year over year) | 5 | Founder(s) have extensive industry experience & knowledge, business is established or strongly positioned, serves a clearly defined customer base & demonstrates meaningful community impact. Participation in program will provide significant benefit. | |
25 | 4 | Founder(s) have solid industry knowledge and experience. Business serves a defined customer and shows some community impact. Program participation will provide substantial benefit. | ||
26 | 3 | Founder(s) have some relevant experience or transferable skills but limited track record. Customer and impact are modest. Program benefit is clear but less critical to success. | ||
27 | 2 | Founder(s) have minimal industry experience and limited track record. Target customer is unclear, and community impact is small. Business readiness is questionable. | ||
28 | 1 | Founder(s) lack relevant experience. No clear target customer or community impact. Unlikely to benefit from the program at this time. | ||
29 | Economic and Community Impact from Use of Funds The business is planning to do one or more of the following: 1. Add new Jobs or Retain jobs (through training, promotion,etc.) 2. Generate more revenue & profitability (strengthen systems & processes, serve more customers, extend hours of operation, add a location, expand service area, increase local purchasing/supply chain activity, training, upskilling and promoting current employees) 3. Capital investment - property acquisition, construction and/or rehab, exporting, leasehold improvements, machinery and/or equipment, working capital - short term or permanent, business buy-out, research and development (R&D) | 5 | Exceeds all criteria. Provides clear, well-documented plans to add, retain, or promote at least one job in El Paso County. Demonstrates strong evidence of growth likely to extend beyond the loan term. | |
30 | 4 | Meets almost all criteria. Strong plans to add or retain jobs with reasonable projections. Shows potential for growth, though scope or documentation is slightly weaker than a “5.” | ||
31 | 3 | Meets most criteria. Plans for job creation or retention are modest and growth is likely but not clearly quantified. | ||
32 | 2 | Meets limited criteria. Plans for jobs or growth are vague, minimal, or uncertain. | ||
33 | 1 | Meets none of the criteria. No evidence of job creation, retention, or business growth. | ||
34 | APPLICATION SCORE | 0 | * | *Maximum possible score of 20 | Minimum score of 12 required to advance for consideration |