Capital Access Playbook

Know which capital fits

• Working capital line of credit — covers payroll gaps between invoices
• SBA 7(a) term loan — equipment, expansion and refinancing
• CDFI or community lender — flexible underwriting, smaller amounts
• Contract or invoice financing — funded against a signed award
• Grants — no repayment, but slow and highly specific

The document list that gets you approved

• Two years business tax returns and one year personal
• Twelve months of business bank statements
• Year-to-date profit and loss plus balance sheet
• Accounts receivable and payable aging reports
• Debt schedule listing every existing obligation
• A one-page use-of-funds statement

Compare offers on total cost

Convert every offer to an annualized rate, then add origination fees, prepayment penalties and any required deposits. The lowest monthly payment is often the most expensive money.