Mona raises $3.5 million for small-business financing platform

Mona announced a $3.5 million funding round on September 28 to expand its platform for helping small businesses find capital and receive financial coaching. Sandberg Bernthal Venture Partners led the round, with Alumni Ventures, Wisdom Ventures and other investors participating, according to a Business Wire release cited by letsdatascience.com. Business owners complete one application that Mona uses to identify relevant lenders, grants and government programs and to help with applications. The platform also pairs its AI tools with human coaching. The funding backs expansion of that service; the company's account does not establish that applicants will secure financing.