Startup Business Loans

What Is a Startup Business Loan?

A startup business loan encompasses any type of financing aimed specifically toward startups with little to no business history. Although it may not be as easy to access funding as a new business, there are still a variety of business loans and financing methods available to startups, including—SBA microloans, asset-based loans, business credit cards, etc.

 

How Does a Startup Business Loan Work?

There isn’t a single type of financing that qualifies as a “startup business loan.”

As we mentioned above, a startup business loan can refer to any type of financing that’s designed to accommodate newer businesses.

Therefore, you might access a startup business loan that functions as traditional debt financing—where you receive capital and pay it back over time with interest. On the other hand, you might find that equity financing is better suited for your startup—in this case, you’ll receive funding in exchange for shares or stock in your business.

In any case, although business startup loans can work differently based on the specific product and lender. The right financing product for another startup might not necessarily be what’s right for your startup—so you’ll want to make sure that whatever type of startup business loan you choose is one that can meet your unique funding needs, and of course, is one that you can afford.

 

Top options for startup business loans

TYPE OF FINANCING	BEST FOR	WHERE TO GET IT	MORE INFORMATION
SBA Microloans	Affordable, traditionally structured loans; qualified business owners	Local SBA microlenders	Learn more about the SBA Microloan program.
Asset-based financing	Specific financing needs—receiving capital for outstanding invoices or purchasing equipment	Invoice financing: BlueVine, Fundbox Equipment financing: Crest Capital, Balboa Capital	Learn more about asset-based lending.
Business credit cards	Fast access to a line of credit; startups with less than six months in business	Chase, American Express, Capital One	Compare the best business credit cards for startups.
Personal loans for business	Very new startups; business owners with great personal finances and credit history	Rocket Loans, local or national banks that you already have a relationship with	Find out more about when it’s worth using a personal loan for business.
Small business grants	Access to capital that you don’t have to pay back; startups in specific industries or communities	Government programs, like SBIR or STTR; corporate organizations like FedEx and Visa	Explore the different options for small business grants
Friends and family	Flexible and fast funding; business owners who have a network willing to invest	Friends and family within your network	Find tips for raising money through friends and family.
Crowdfunding	Small amounts of capital; testing a product or creative idea	Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo	Learn more about how crowdfunding works.

 

How to Qualify for Startup Business Loans

It’s difficult to detail specifically how you can qualify for financing as a startup. Ultimately, the business loan requirements you’ll need to meet will depend largely on the particular product you’re interested in, as well as the lender, financial institution, or investor you’re working with. This being said, however, there are some general tips you can keep in mind when trying to qualify for business startup loans.

First and foremost, if you’re looking for more traditional types of financing, you’ll want to make sure the lender works with younger businesses. Generally, it’s harder for businesses with less than six months in operation to find traditional loans. In this case, you may turn to one of the alternative options we’ve discussed—like a business credit card or grant.

Or, if you can offer collateral to secure your financing, like with invoice or equipment financing, you might find that a lender is more likely to work with your business, regardless of how long you’ve been operating.

On the other hand, if your business is older than six months, you should be able to find a lender, like a microlender, that will work with your startup

Another of the most important things to consider when trying to qualify for a startup business loan is your personal credit score. Almost any lender will look at your personal credit score when you apply for financing—the higher your score, the better your changes are for qualifying for a loan—and one with the best terms and rates.

Of course, this isn’t to say that there aren’t business loans for bad credit (more difficult to access a loan).

How to Apply for Business Startup Loans

The application process you’ll need to complete will vary based on the method of financing you choose, as well as the lender or investor you’re working with.

Overall, you can expect to provide any or all of the following:

• Employer identification number (EIN)
• Business bank account statements
• Personal credit score
• Financial business plan
• Business financial statements

Additionally, if you’re applying for asset-based debt financing, you’ll need to provide information and documentation regarding the outstanding invoices you have or equipment you’re looking to purchase.

On the other hand, more creative financing methods will have different application processes:

• Business credit cards have a very simple application process, only requiring your federal tax ID or your Social Security number.
• If you’re applying for a personal loan for business, the lender will first and foremost require information about your personal finances, credit history, and existing debts.
• The application process for a small business grant depends on the grant you’re applying for, but may require a drafted statement, presentation, or other documentation.
• Working with friends and family or crowdfunding won’t necessarily require an application, but instead that you come to a mutual agreement or get set up on a crowdfunding platform.