Avant
Chicago, US · Founded 2012 · 984 employees on LinkedIn · 8 known investors
Avant provides financial solutions and lending services to help customers pursue their financial goals. The company serves consumers across the United States.
Also known as Avant Credit · Avant, LLC · AvantCard
Founders & leadership
Avant was founded in 2012 by Paul Zhang.
Investors · 8
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Avant is a consumer financial services company headquartered at 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 900, Chicago, Illinois. It offers two principal retail credit products: unsecured personal loans and the Avant-branded credit card (AvantCard). Prospective customers apply online and can review options without an impact to their credit score, and account servicing is available through the Avant mobile app, which lets customers manage both personal loan and credit card accounts.
Personal loans are offered in amounts from $2,000 to $35,000 with terms of 24 to 60 months and APRs ranging from 9.95% to 35.99%, plus an administration fee of up to 9.99% that is deducted from loan proceeds and treated as part of the loan principal; actual terms depend on credit determination, state law and other factors, and minimum loan amounts vary by state. Avant-branded credit products are issued by WebBank. Applications for the AvantCard submitted directly through the Avant website carry a $0–$75 annual membership fee, a minimum credit limit of $300, and a 35.99% APR, with pricing varying across acquisition channels.
The company operates under Avant, LLC, registered in the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (#1246731), with a Connecticut Small Loan Company License (SLC-1246731) and a licensed subsidiary, Avant of Washington, LLC (NMLS #1440089), regulated in New Mexico by the state Regulation and Licensing Department's Financial Institutions Division. Disclosures state that for certain solicitations Avant, LLC is not the lender and that customer information may be shared with third parties in connection with a loan inquiry. Alongside its products, Avant publishes consumer-oriented content through the Avant blog on topics such as budgeting and financial stability.
Business model
Avant originates and markets consumer credit products directly to individuals online, earning revenue from interest and fees on personal loans (including an administration fee of up to 9.99% of principal) and from credit card interest and annual membership fees of $0–$75. Avant-branded credit products are issued by WebBank, and in some channels Avant acts as a loan solicitor rather than the lender itself, sharing applicant information with one or more third parties.
Interest income and fees on personal loans and credit cards, including APRs from 9.95% to 35.99% on loans, a 35.99% APR on AvantCard accounts opened through the website, loan administration fees of up to 9.99%, and annual card membership fees of $0–$75.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, risks & controversies
Market position
Consumer lender in the U.S. near-prime and non-prime online credit market, offering installment loans and a general-purpose credit card issued through a bank partner.
Technology
Online application and prequalification flows that let consumers explore options without a credit score impact, and the Avant mobile app for managing personal loan and credit card accounts from a phone.
Go-to-market
Direct-to-consumer online acquisition through the Avant website, where applicants can check loan options or apply for a credit card without affecting their credit score; supported by direct mail offers with channel-specific pricing, a mobile app for account management, customer support, and educational blog content.
U.S. consumers seeking unsecured personal credit, including borrowers looking for installment loans of $2,000–$35,000 and applicants for a credit card with credit limits starting at $300.
Geography
United States, with operations based in Chicago, Illinois; product terms and minimum loan amounts vary by state, and the company holds state-specific licenses including in Connecticut, New Mexico and Washington.
Risks & controversies
Products carry high-cost pricing, with APRs up to 35.99% on both loans and the AvantCard and loan administration fees of up to 9.99%, and the business is subject to state licensing and consumer lending regulation, including oversight by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department's Financial Institutions Division. Disclosures note that in some cases Avant, LLC is not the lender, that applicant information may be shared with third parties, and that a lender may not be subject to all state (e.g., Vermont) lending laws.
Compiled by commissioned research from 1 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Founder mafia
3 people who came through Avant went on to found or lead other companies.
Competitors · 6
by search overlap
Companies competing with Avant for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
▸Research sources · 1
primary sources listed
- Avantavant.com · web
1 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Avant do?
- Chicago-based consumer finance company offering unsecured personal loans and the Avant credit card to U.S. borrowers.
- Who founded Avant?
- Avant was founded by Paul Zhang in 2012.
- Who are Avant's investors?
- Avant's investors include Alpha Ascent Ventures Llc, Ansa Capital, August Capital, Haymaker Ventures, Hyde Park Venture Partners, Lobby Capital, QED Investors, RRE Ventures.
- Where is Avant headquartered?
- Avant is headquartered in Chicago, US.