EquiRate AI: A Fairer Way to Fund Young & Minority Entrepreneurs

In today’s economy, a lot of young adults, small business owners, and minority entrepreneurs feel the same pressure: the system doesn’t seem designed to include them—especially when it comes to capital.I’m Eric Foster, Board Chairman of Cannas Capital Holdings and EquiRate AI (formerly Bank Black). This video explains why we built EquiRate AI and what problem we’re solving.The problem: underwriting hasn’t evolved for modern realityTraditional underwriting too often relies on narrow signals that don’t reflect the full story of a capable entrepreneur—especially for:* Young founders early in their credit journey* Minority entrepreneurs facing historical capital access barriers* Small business owners building in emerging markets* Builders with strong fundamentals but “nontraditional” profilesThat doesn’t mean risk isn’t real—it means the industry needs better tools to measure risk more accurately and evaluate applicants more completely.The solution: EquiRate AI modernizes how lending decisions get madeEquiRate AI is structured around a simple question:How do we improve underwriting so qualified entrepreneurs are evaluated on the totality of what they bring to the table?Our mission is to create a more inclusive, modern approach to lending decisions—so that opportunity is not limited to people who already have access.Why we’re starting with the cannabis industryWe’re targeting cannabis first because it’s one of the few sectors where the runway for new entrepreneurs is still real.In industries like automotive, the scale required to start and grow into a major market leader is extreme. But cannabis remains a market where—with the right structure, support, and access to capital—new entrants can still build companies that scale significantly.The question isn’t whether entrepreneurs exist. The question is whether the capital system is built to support the best builders—or only the most connected.Who should connect with usIf you are a:* Financial institution leader (banks, credit unions, CDFIs)* Impact investor or fund manager* Operator or entrepreneur building in cannabis or adjacent regulated industries* Policy, compliance, risk, or fintech leader interested in inclusive underwriting…I want to hear from you.Contact me at:Eric FosterBoard ChairmanCannas Capital Holdings, LLCEmail: [email protected] this message resonates, please like, subscribe, and share this video with someone building a business who needs to hear: don’t lose hope—solutions are being built. Common Sense by Eric Foster is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Thanks for reading Common Sense by Eric Foster! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ericfoster52.substack.com/subscribe