Foro

Foro’s Digital Transformation Journey
With Upstart 13

As a pioneer in commercial lending, Foro is committed to revolutionizing the industry by delivering personalized solutions and accelerated workflows. The company specializes in working with underserved resource groups (URGs), allowing individuals in these groups to access funds without bias.

The Story

Foro partners with URGs as part of its commitment to level the financial playing field. To achieve this mission, it employed a custom lending platform, which it launched in 2022.


Unlike traditional lending platforms, Foro’s solution prevents subconscious lender bias toward borrowers by leveraging anonymity. Lenders don’t know the sex, age, race, or other demographic variables that may result in an unfair negative outcome.

Foro approached Upstart 13 after releasing their minimum viable product (MVP) in late 2022. They were seeking a partner to refine their product and enhance their technical capabilities.

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The Business Challenge

Prior to partnering with Upstart 13, Foro had relied on an offshore outsourcing model to fuel the development of its software platform. While the initial results were promising, the outsourcing model had reached its limits with the version-one release of the Foro platform.

Foro’s existing software faced several critical issues, including suboptimal performance, architectural inefficiencies, and an inconsistent user experience. The platform also exhibited ongoing reliability and performance concerns. Furthermore, Foro’s solution lacked a clear strategic direction and a mature agile development process, both of which are essential for scalable growth and stability. 

Our Solution

We realized that solving Foro’s challenges would require a holistic approach. We developed a transition strategy that would not only take over the existing product from the current vendor but also position Foro for sustainable future growth. The strategic partnership focused on the following key areas:

Technical Assessment and Roadmap Development: We created a two-to-three-year roadmap


Agile Development and Process Maturation: Our team implemented true agile methodologies


Enhanced LSM Software Architecture: We overhauled the existing software to address its core issues 


Transition Planning: We planned a transition from the current vendor to ensure a smooth changeover


Our multifaceted strategy was an overwhelming success. We took over the technology from Foro’s previous vendor without disruption, re-architected the platform with an emphasis on spatial data and a map-first approach, and drastically improved its performance.

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Why Foro Chose Upstart 13

After experiencing the shortcomings of offshore development processes, Foro realized the need for a domestic provider that could evolve with the organization. The company’s leaders identified Upstart 13 as an entity capable of overcoming its past software shortcomings while setting up its platform for long-term future growth.

About Upstart 13

Upstart 13 provides a comprehensive suite of services, including app development, business intelligence and analytics consulting, and technology integrations. Our team focuses on personalized solutions that remedy the unique challenges our clients face.