Everything you need to know about getting a business loan in 2025 — from qualification requirements to choosing the right lender and product.
Our editorial team consists of experienced business finance writers and lending professionals with 15+ years in commercial lending.
A business loan is a fixed sum of money borrowed from a lender that your business repays over a set period with interest. Unlike personal loans, business loans are underwritten based primarily on your business's revenue, time in business, and creditworthiness — not just your personal credit score.
Business loans come in many forms: term loans, lines of credit, SBA loans, merchant cash advances, equipment financing, and invoice factoring. Each serves a different purpose and has different approval requirements.
**Working Capital Loans** ($10K–$500K): Fast-approval funding for day-to-day operating expenses. Best for businesses with consistent revenue that need quick access to cash.
**SBA Loans** ($50K–$5M): Government-backed loans with the lowest interest rates (starting at 6.5%). Longest approval time but best terms for qualifying businesses.
**Equipment Financing** ($10K–$5M): Loans specifically for purchasing equipment, where the equipment serves as collateral. Often easier to qualify for than unsecured loans.
**Invoice Factoring** ($10K–$5M): Sell your outstanding invoices to a factor for immediate cash (80–95% of face value). No debt created — you're advancing receivables.
**Merchant Cash Advance** ($5K–$500K): Revenue-based advance repaid as a percentage of daily sales. No fixed payments — perfect for businesses with variable revenue.
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No impact to your credit score.
Most lenders evaluate five core factors when reviewing a business loan application:
1. Time in Business: Most lenders require 6–24 months in operation. SBA loans typically need 2+ years.
2. Monthly Revenue: You'll generally qualify for 1–2× your average monthly revenue. Minimum revenue requirements range from $5K/month (for small MCAs) to $50K+/month (for larger term loans).
3. Credit Score: Personal credit scores as low as 500 are accepted by many alternative lenders. Traditional banks typically require 680+. Your business credit score also matters.
4. Industry: Most industries qualify, but some (gaming, cannabis, adult entertainment) face restrictions from certain lenders.
5. Cash Flow: Lenders want to see positive cash flow and consistent bank deposits. 3 months of bank statements is the minimum documentation required.
**Step 1: Know Your Numbers** — Before applying, know your monthly revenue, average bank balance, and current debts. Lenders will ask.
**Step 2: Choose the Right Product** — Match the funding type to your use case. Need fast cash? Working capital. Buying equipment? Equipment financing. Have outstanding invoices? Factoring.
**Step 3: Gather Documentation** — Minimum: 3 months of bank statements and a government ID. Some programs require tax returns or financial statements.
**Step 4: Apply with a Multi-Lender Platform** — Using a platform like Bridge Capital that shops your application to 150+ lenders simultaneously gives you competitive offers to compare — rather than applying to one lender at a time.
**Step 5: Compare Offers and Accept** — Review all offers side by side. Look beyond the rate — consider term length, repayment structure, and total cost of capital.
Get funding in 24 hours
No impact to your credit score.
Connect Your Bank Account: Lenders using open banking data (like Plaid) can approve you faster and often at better rates because they see real cash flow data, not just a credit score.
Keep a Healthy Bank Balance: Consistent positive balances signal stability. Avoid overdrafts in the 90 days before applying.
Build Business Credit: Register with Dun & Bradstreet, open a business credit card, and pay all business obligations on time to build a separate business credit file.
Reduce Existing Debt: High debt-service coverage ratios make approval harder. Consolidate or pay down existing loans before applying for additional capital.
Apply at the Right Time: Revenue peaks (post-holiday for retail, spring for construction) signal strength. Time your application accordingly.
FAQs
Funding Products
Compare working capital, SBA loans, equipment financing, invoice factoring and more.
$10K–$500K
Access $10K–$500K in working capital within 24–48 hours. No collateral required, flexible repayment based on your daily revenue.
✓ Cover payroll, inventory, and operating costs without slowing down.
Speed
24 hours
Term
3–18 months
$25K–$2M
Structured term loans from $25K to $2M for established businesses. Fixed monthly payments with transparent rates.
✓ Predictable payments, no surprises — perfect for planned growth.
Speed
2–5 days
Term
12–60 months
$5K–$500K
Get an advance on your future sales. Repay as a percentage of daily revenue — no fixed payments, no pressure.
✓ Flexible repayment that moves with your cash flow.
Speed
24 hours
Term
4–18 months
$10K–$5M
Finance any equipment — trucks, machinery, technology — from $10K to $5M. The equipment itself serves as collateral.
✓ Preserve working capital while acquiring assets that generate revenue.
Speed
2–5 days
Term
24–84 months
$50K–$5M
SBA 7(a) and 504 loans with government-backed guarantees. Rates from 6.5% — the best terms available for qualifying businesses.
✓ Lowest interest rates with the longest repayment terms on the market.
Speed
30–90 days
Term
10–25 years
$10K–$5M
Convert outstanding B2B invoices into immediate cash at 80–95% of face value. No debt, no collateral.
✓ Eliminate the 30–90 day wait on customer payments.
Speed
24–48 hours
Term
Per invoice
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