Empowering small business growth with Northern Initiatives’ advisor-focused web app
Northern Initiatives is a nonprofit lender supporting small businesses across Michigan through loans and training.
increase in platform subscribers year-over-year after launch.
subscriber drop-offs during the platform migration
brand new assessment tool launched after years in PDF format
Client Outcomes
"We got more value for what we paid for because of the guidance your team gave. Beyond developing the software, Atomic helped us think strategically. It was above and beyond."
A Custom Learning Platform that Drives Retention and Engagement
Facing increased demand, Northern Initiatives needed a modern, scalable version of their Initiate platform. Their previous WordPress-based solution could no longer meet their needs. Atomic rebuilt the platform from scratch as a custom web application, incorporating essential features and technical advancements. The result: 100% subscriber retention, +65% growth, and enhanced engagement. With new tools like a dynamic self-assessment feature, Initiate is more impactful and adaptable than ever.
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Custom Platform Rebuild with Scalable Tech Stack
Starting from a legacy WordPress system, Atomic rebuilt Initiate using modern tools like Next.js, Prisma, and Contentful. This shift enabled faster performance, scalable architecture, and extensibility through features like server-side rendering and custom type generation for content.
Strategic Collaboration & CMS Integration to Maximize Value
Atomic worked hand-in-hand with Northern Initiatives to shape features through open, two-way conversations. One key strategic decision was integrating Contentful as an off-the-shelf CMS—reducing long-term data management costs. This freed up resources to focus on building high-impact, custom features tailored to the needs of Northern Initiative’s borrowers and advisors.
Business Assessment Tool with Long-Term Value
A new self-service assessment tool helps startups gauge organizational maturity. Built as part of the platform, it replaces a static PDF with an interactive, trackable experience. This tool helps Northern Initiatives evaluate business health and guide their borrowers toward success.
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