Startup Business Funding - $25K to $250K
0% intro APR business credit stacks for new businesses with no revenue yet.
See if I qualifyMost business lenders require a revenue history you do not have yet. Startup financing works differently: it leans on your personal credit profile and, in some structures, a business plan and projections instead of trailing bank deposits. The trade-off is that you carry more personal responsibility for the debt, so the amount you take should be sized to what the business can realistically service.
Who qualifies
- Strong personal credit - generally 680 or higher, since it is doing most of the work
- Limited or no business revenue history is acceptable
- A registered business entity with an EIN
- A credible use of funds and, for SBA startup loans, a written business plan with projections
Best for
New businesses funding launch costs, equipment, initial inventory, or working capital before revenue is established - and franchise buyers, who often have an easier path because the franchisor's model provides underwriting comfort.
What to check before you sign
- Borrow to a plan, not to the maximum. Approval amounts for startups are based on your personal profile, not what the business can service. Those are different numbers.
- Understand the guarantee. A personal guarantee means the debt survives the business. Know what you are signing before you sign it.
- Separate the finances early. Open a dedicated business account on day one. Twelve months of clean business deposits is what unlocks better options later.
- Watch stacked personal credit lines. Some startup funding programs open several personal credit cards at once, which can sharply reduce your personal credit score and future borrowing capacity.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get funding with no business revenue?
Yes, but the structure changes. Without revenue history, lenders underwrite you personally, so approval depends largely on your credit profile and available income. Expect smaller amounts than an established business would receive, and expect a personal guarantee.
What credit score do I need for startup funding?
Generally 680 or above. Personal credit is carrying the file in the absence of business history, so it matters more here than for any other product. Below the mid-600s, startup options narrow considerably and equipment financing - where the equipment itself is collateral - often becomes the more realistic route.
Does the SBA lend to startups?
Yes. SBA 7(a) can be used for startups, though the documentation burden is heavier: a business plan, financial projections, resumes demonstrating relevant experience, and personal financial statements. It takes longer than other options, but the terms are generally the best available to a new business.
Will I have to personally guarantee it?
Almost certainly. Nearly all small-business financing requires a personal guarantee, and for a startup it is effectively universal. This means you are personally liable if the business cannot repay, which is why the amount should match what the business can realistically service rather than the maximum offered.
Is it better to wait until I have revenue?
Often, yes. At 12 months of operating history with consistent deposits, materially more options open at better pricing, and at 24 months more still. If the funding is not time-critical, waiting and building clean deposit history in a dedicated business account frequently produces a better outcome than borrowing at day one.
Why apply through Fundwise
- One application, every lender we partner with
- No hard credit pull to see your matches
- Free Money screening for tax credits included
- Real human concierge if you get stuck