Learn how to apply for a startup loan to get your business plan going.
Can I get a business loan as a startup?
Getting a business loan as a startup can be difficult if your business hasn’t generated much revenue yet. Most lenders have minimum monthly revenue requirements as well as business age requirements. If you find that you don’t qualify for loans from business lenders, you could consider a personal loan for business use or an equity investor to get the funding you need.
Not the stage your business is at? Explore other options:
How does a startup loan work?
While the product details will differ, startup loans have some common features and eligibility criteria that must be met upon application.
For instance, most providers of startup loans require applicants to have good creditworthiness. The application may require you to submit a detailed business plan.
Depending on the kind of credit you seek, you may also have to provide collateral. While applying for a startup loan does not take much time, it can take up to a month or more for the lender to process your application and disburse approved funds.
Features to consider when comparing startup loans
- Interest rate. Even a seemingly small difference in percentage can have a big effect on how much you end up paying as interest, especially if you borrow a large sum over a considerable period of time. The government-backed SBA 7(A) loan for startups offers a very competitive interest rate. However, qualifying for one is not easy.
- Eligibility criteria. Not all providers of business loans for startups have the same eligibility requirements. For example, to qualify for an SBA 7(A) loan you would have to provide 10% as down payment, you’ll have to personally guarantee the loan if you have more than 20% ownership and you’ll have to provide some kind of collateral to secure the loan.
- Turnaround time. Startup loans typically take longer to process than consumer loans, with some lenders taking up to a month or even more. If you need money in a hurry, you may need to broaden your options and consider other forms of credit, such as a private personal loan.
- Collateral. Many startup loans require you to provide some form of collateral. This can be through equity in your home or in the equipment or vehicles you own as part of your business. You can even get a business loan to purchase new equipment where the equipment itself acts as collateral.
Benefits and drawbacks of startup loans
- Hold on to equity. When you get the right kind of startup loan you don’t have to give up equity in your business. After you repay the loan completely, you retain complete ownership of your company.
- Establish business credit. By getting a business loan and repaying it in a timely manner you build a positive credit history for your business, which will improve your ability to get future credit at more advantageous rates.
- Traditional loans available. As long as you have good creditworthiness you will have various traditional business loan options to choose from. Traditional loans can be appealing because they tend to offer competitive interest rates.
- Can take a long time to process. The time that startup loans take to process can vary from lender to lender, from two weeks to two months. Generally, business loans take more time to process when compared to personal consumer loans. Learn more about the business loan underwriting process.
- Need good credit. You will generally require good credit to apply for a startup loan. The main exception is if you’re securing the loan using suitable collateral.
Only need to borrow $100,000 or less? Consider a personal loan for business use
Things to avoid when looking into startup loans
Steer clear of startup loans until you have a well-thought-out business plan in place. Even the best ideas require careful implementation. If you, at any point, feel that you may have trouble repaying the loan on time, seriously reconsider taking it in the first place.
Avoid loans with very high interest rates as this will increase the cost of the loan significantly.
Make sure you go through the loan contract carefully before signing it and ensure you understand all associated fees and charges.
Frequently asked questions about startup loans
Can I turn to crowdfunding to get money for a startup?
Yes, you can. There have been instances of startups successfully raising funds through crowdfunding campaigns. However, the success of your efforts will depend on the how many people view your idea as viable.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow through a startup loan?
This depends on multiple factors such as the lender you choose, the deposit you provide, your business plan and your creditworthiness. Through an SBA 7(A) loan, you can borrow up to $5 million.
What is the loan term of business loans for startups?
The loan term of startup loans typically varies from two to seven years.
Can I get a business loan with poor credit?
You may be able to still get a line of credit or a loan with poor credit. If you do secure one, it will most likely be at a higher rate, so it’s important to plan for the loan and make sure you can afford timely repayments.
How much i can borrow from a private lender… until what amount he can give me… with my house property as a collateral…. and where i can find private lenders that give big amounts of money for bussiness and for buying my instruments, an amount of 1.000.000 million….. with my house property as a collateral?? I want to find a real one because there are a lot of frauds… I am waiting for your urgent response… Thank you!
Hi Faratzi,
Thank you for contacting finder. We are a comparison website and general information service, we’re more than happy to offer general advice.
The answers would depend on the lender that you are going to choose. You may refer to this page for options that may suit your needs. You may review and compare the offers available on the table. Once you have selected one, you may proceed by clicking the green “Go to Site” button.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Danielle
Currently I am on employed but intend to start my own online business as an affiliate marketer through a well established training program called Aspire. I have absolutely no personal funds to use to pay for their training program which costs $2000. Although they cannot guarantee instant income, their average affiliates start making $8000 per month in the first 90 days. Also, my credit rating is approximately 560 right now. Where can I possibly get a $2-3,000 start up business loan to start my business?
Hi Laurel,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Many business lenders require that your business has been established for at least six months and that it’s meeting certain revenue minimums. There are some lenders who may consider your business plan and personal credit profile in lieu of business experience to evaluate your loan application and asses risks. Learn more about startup loans to see how you can get a business loan in the early stages. You could also get a personal loan to start a new business.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold