Redefining SME Lending: Laure’s Journey with Prestamype

When Laure Schlesinger landed in Peru in 2013 for a university exchange program, she never imagined that trip would change the course of her life. What began as an academic adventure soon transformed into a deep passion for the country and its potential. The vibrant energy of local businesses inspired her to stay and join an NGO focused on micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Meeting with entrepreneurs and listening to their struggles revealed a harsh reality: accessing financing was an uphill battle for SMEs.

In 2016, alongside her business partners, she dove into the complex world of loans in Lima. What they found was alarming: many SMEs were paying interest rates of up to 60% Annual Equivalent Rate even with mortgage guarantees. Without a real-estate collateral, it could reach up to 500% per year with informal lenders. This unfair system stifled small businesses and kept credit access in the hands of a few. That’s when Prestamype was born—with a clear mission to make financing accessible, agile, and transparent.

Building a Business from Scratch
The road was far from easy. In 2017, Peru’s venture capital ecosystem was nascent, forcing Prestamype to rely on bootstrapping and loans from friends and family. Traditional financial institutions viewed tech-driven startups with skepticism, making it crucial to prove the business model with tangible results to gain customer credibility.

Despite these challenges, Prestamype has successfully provided financing to over 5,700 SMEs, injecting US$ 140 million in 2024 alone into businesses that needed to obtain more than US$ 5,000 in a fast and easy way. The team has grown significantly, with women now making up 49% of their workforce, reinforcing their commitment to inclusion and diversity in the financial sector.
Along this journey, Laure encountered another challenge—one less visible but equally impactful: the lack of female role models in fintech.

The Power of Role Models
As she built Prestamype, Laure realized that the industry’s most visible figures were overwhelmingly male. She had no clear examples to follow. As time went on, she witnessed other women stepping into leadership roles within the ecosystem. Today, the landscape is changing, and female presence is stronger than ever.

In 2023, Laure participated in the Women Entrepreneurs Week organized by Swiss EP in Switzerland—an experience that deeply resonated with her. Surrounded by women who had walked similar paths, she discovered a simple yet powerful truth: when there are role models, the journey feels possible. Seeing other female entrepreneurs thrive in the startup world solidified her belief in the importance of representation.

"Spending a week immersed with fellow women entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors was a unique experience. We built a bond that simply isn’t possible in a one-day event. We shared our realities, learned from different contexts, and to this day, we remain connected. For me, the most valuable part was creating a community with inspiring women.”

Prestamype’s Next Chapter
Now, Prestamype is 8 years old and has grown beyond loans. The vision for the future is clear: to expand its offerings to include factoring, foreign exchange services, finance management softwares and investment opportunities. Their ambition is bold yet achievable: becoming Peru’s first digital bank for SMEs by 2027.

For those beginning their entrepreneurial journey, Laure highlights the importance of continuous learning and surrounding oneself with the right people. Innovation in traditional industries is never easy, but perseverance and community can make the journey more rewarding.

"Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be a lonely journey. At first, I had no one to share my challenges with except my cofounder, but then I realized the power of connecting with other entrepreneurs. Learning from their experiences and supporting each other made a big difference."

Laure’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, community, and purpose-driven leadership. As Prestamype looks toward the future, one thing is certain: the best is yet to come.