Best Startup Business Loans (2026)

Compare startup-friendly business lenders. Financing options for new businesses with limited history and revenue.

Written by Harvey Brooks, Senior Financial Editor

TL;DR Quick summary

ROK Financial is the most startup-friendly (500 credit, 6 months in business, dedicated startup product). Fora Financial funds in 24 hours at 570+ credit. National Funding requires no collateral. Most SBA lenders require 2-3+ years — startups should focus on alternative lenders first.

Key Takeaways

ROK Financial offers dedicated startup funding with 500+ credit and 6 months in business
Fora Financial accepts 570+ FICO and funds in 24 hours
Most SBA lenders require 2-3+ years — not viable for true startups
Equipment financing is easier to qualify for since the equipment is collateral
Build business credit early — it opens doors to better rates as you grow

Getting funded as a startup is hard — most lenders require 1-3 years in business. But options do exist for newer businesses. We identified lenders with the lowest time-in-business requirements, plus alternative financing paths for founders just getting started.

1

ROK Financial

No stored Google rating

Rates and terms vary BBB: A Free Consultation

ROK Financial (ROKFI LLC) is a business loan broker based in Great River, NY that connects borrowers with lending partners across 11 financing products including term loans, SBA loans, equipment financing, CRE, and MCA, with a minimum credit score of 500.

11 financing products under one roof — term loans, SBA, LOC, equipment, A/R, PO, MCA, CRE, franchise, startup, and middle market

500 minimum credit score is one of the lowest entry barriers in business lending

Startup funding available with just 6 months in business and $120K annual revenue

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2

F

Fora Financial

No stored Google rating

Rates and terms vary BBB: A+ Free Consultation

Fora Financial provides small business term loans up to $1.5M, revenue advances, lines of credit, SBA loans, and equipment financing with published factor rates, 4-hour approvals, and 24-hour funding for businesses with 570+ FICO scores.

Publishes factor rates (1.13-1.50) unlike most competitors who hide pricing

Early repayment discounts reduce effective cost to as low as 1.05 factor

570 minimum FICO — one of the lowest thresholds in business lending

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3

National Funding

★ 4.5

Google rating from 485 reviews

Rates and terms vary BBB: NR Free Consultation

National Funding is a San Diego-based direct lender founded in 1999 that has provided over $4.5 billion to 75,000+ businesses, offering small business loans up to $500K and equipment financing up to $150K with 24-hour funding and no collateral required.

No collateral required on small business loans and no prepayment penalty — pay off early without extra cost

24-hour funding on small business loans for fast access to working capital

Equipment financing with 100% financing, no down payment, and Section 179 tax deduction eligibility

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4

Square Financial Services

★ 2.1

Google rating from 533 reviews

Rates and terms vary BBB: NR

Square Financial Services (Block, Inc.) offers invitation-only business loans from $100 to $350,000 with a flat 10-16% fee, instant funding to Square Checking, and daily repayment tied to card sales. $32B+ funded since 2014.

$32B+ funded since 2014 — one of the largest fintech lenders by volume

Flat 10-16% fee is among the most transparent pricing in business lending

Instant funding to Square Checking account — no waiting for bank transfer

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5

OnDeck

No stored Google rating

Rates and terms vary BBB: A+ Free Consultation

OnDeck is one of America's largest online small business lenders, a subsidiary of Enova International, offering term loans up to $400K and lines of credit up to $200K with same-day funding.

Same-day funding Monday through Friday for applications approved before 10:30 AM ET, with instant LOC draws available 24/7

$25 billion funded across 185,000+ businesses since 2006 — one of the largest track records in online business lending

No hard credit pull for initial eligibility check — soft pull only, no impact on personal credit score

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a business loan with less than 1 year in business?

Yes. ROK Financial, Fora Financial, and National Funding all accept businesses with just 6 months of operating history. ROK Financial specifically offers a "Startup Funding" product category.

What credit score do startups need for a business loan?

ROK Financial accepts 500+ FICO — the lowest among major lenders. Fora Financial requires 570+. National Funding needs 670+ personal credit. Higher credit scores unlock better rates and larger loan amounts.

What are alternatives to business loans for startups?

Options include SBA microloans (up to $50K through community lenders), business credit cards, revenue-based financing (if you have sales), crowdfunding, and angel/venture capital. CDFI lenders also serve underbanked entrepreneurs.

How much can a startup borrow?

Startup loan amounts are typically smaller. Expect $5K-$100K from alternative lenders. ROK Financial offers up to $5M but startups will qualify for less. Square loans range from $100-$350K but require active payment processing history.

More providers in this category

Beyond the ranked list above, these 12 providers cover the same category in our directory. Click through to compare CFPB complaint data, Google ratings, and BBB standing side-by-side.

Mulligan Funding, LLC

San Diego, CA

★ 4.7 · 132 reviews

SmartBiz Bank, N.A.

Celtic Bank

Accion Opportunity Fund

San Jose, CA

★ 3.5 · 74 reviews

Allies for Community Business

Chicago, IL

★ 3.9 · 68 reviews

Rapid Finance

1st Bank Card Services

Chicago, IL

★ 3.9 · 42 reviews

Accessity

San Diego, CA

★ 4.4 · 79 reviews

Accompany Capital

New York, NY

★ 4.5 · 16 reviews

ACE | Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs

Atlanta, GA

★ 3.3 · 10 reviews

Acme Finance Co Inc

Seattle, WA

★ 4.8 · 74 reviews

ADR Financial Group

Charlotte, NC

★ 4.9 · 183 reviews

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HB

Harvey Brooks

Senior Financial Editor

Harvey Brooks is a consumer finance writer specializing in credit repair, personal lending, and debt management. With over a decade covering the industry, he makes financial literacy accessible to everyday Americans. About our editorial team.

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