Funding a young business is a chicken-and-egg problem: lenders want history you don't have yet. But the door isn't closed — equipment financing, revenue-based financing, and starter advances all fund newer businesses if you reach the right lender. Each one's startup criteria differ. Here's how to find the lenders that fund startups.
Why one lender won't fund your startup
Most lenders build their box around established businesses — two years in, strong credit, steady history. A startup falls outside it automatically. But a subset of lenders specialize in newer businesses, underwriting on recent revenue or collateral instead of years of history. The trouble is knowing which ones — and a single application to the wrong lender just gets you declined.
One lender = built for established
Their box wants two years and strong credit. As a startup, you're an automatic no — no matter how strong your early revenue looks.
50+ lenders = startup-friendly ones too
We route your file to the lenders that fund 6-month businesses on revenue or equipment — and negotiate the best terms a startup can get.
Going to one funder vs. The Broker Shop
| What matters | Going to one funder | The Broker Shop |
|---|---|---|
| Time in business required | Often 2+ years | Lenders that fund 6+ months — some less |
| Underwrites on | Years of history | Recent revenue, equipment, or personal credit |
| If you're too new | Declined | Routed to a startup-friendly lender |
| Who negotiates | No one | We do, across 50+ lenders |
| Cost to you | Varies | $0 — the lender pays our fee |
Newer businesses get funded — at the right lender
Once you've crossed 6 months in business with $10K+ monthly revenue, a real set of lenders will fund you. Under 6 months, equipment financing and business credit cards still work. The key is reaching the lenders built for your stage instead of the ones built to decline you.
The Broker Shop puts your file in front of 50+ lenders at once, finds the startup-friendly ones, and negotiates the best terms available. One soft pull, funded fast, free to you.
Find a Lender for My Stage →What actually determines your cost
For startup funding, these factors decide what you can get:
- Months in business — 6 months is the key threshold; more unlocks more.
- Monthly revenue — $10K+ in consistent deposits opens most startup-friendly lenders.
- Personal credit — matters more early; 500+ for MCAs, higher for better terms.
- How many lenders compete — one box vs. 50+ including startup specialists.
- Whether anyone negotiates — a broker improves a startup's limited leverage.
See our startup loans with no money down guide, or funding requirements.