Turned down by the bank? See which funding paths still fit your business.
See what you could qualify for now, and exactly what to do if the answer is 'not yet.'
This is a free online questionnaire for small business owners, including startups, new businesses, owners turned down by a bank, and owners with less-than-perfect credit, that shows which types of business funding are worth looking into. Six quick questions, about 60 seconds.
Free. No credit pull. Not a loan application.
- Free to use
- No credit pull
- Not a loan application
This is a free online questionnaire for small business owners, including startups, new businesses, owners turned down by a bank, and owners with less-than-perfect credit, that shows which types of business funding are worth looking into. Six quick questions, about 60 seconds.
How much can I qualify for?
Answer three questions for a quick, rough range. It is an estimate only, runs in your browser, and asks for no email.
Choose one answer in each group to see your estimated funding range.
Who this is for
This qualifier is built for owners who do not fit the traditional bank mold. It will not get you approved for anything. It will help you spend your time on options that make sense.
Startups
You have a plan but little or no operating history. Some funding types look mostly at the owner, not the business, and those are worth knowing about.
New businesses
You are open and making sales, but you do not have the two years of tax returns a bank usually wants. Other lenders weigh recent revenue differently.
Businesses a bank turned down
A bank denial is common and it is not the final word. Banks have narrow criteria. We help you understand what else is out there and what it costs.
Owners with less-than-perfect credit
Credit matters, and we will not pretend it does not. Some options still exist, and some are expensive. We will be straight with you about both.
Types of funding this covers
These are the funding types the qualifier can point you toward, and the answers it looks for. They are the qualifier's own screening rules, not lender requirements or approval criteria.
Business credit cards
A credit card issued for business spending, often approved mostly on the owner’s personal credit.
Tends to fit: Startups and new businesses with fair to excellent personal credit that need smaller amounts.
- Time in business
- Not screened by this qualifier. Lenders set their own requirement.
- Monthly revenue
- Not screened by this qualifier. Lenders set their own requirement.
- Personal credit
- Fair (640-679) or better
Also: Funding amount of $50,000 or less
Personal loan used for business
A fixed loan in your own name, with the money put into the business.
Tends to fit: Owners with good personal credit and steady personal income whose business is new or not yet open.
- Time in business
- Under 1 year (not started yet through 6-12 months)
- Monthly revenue
- Not screened by this qualifier. Lenders set their own requirement.
- Personal credit
- Good (680-719) or better
Also: Funding amount of $50,000 or less
Microloans and community lenders
A smaller loan from a community development financial institution (CDFI) or nonprofit lender.
Tends to fit: Startups, newer businesses, and owners rebuilding credit who need a smaller amount.
- Time in business
- Under 1 year (not started yet through 6-12 months)
- Monthly revenue
- Not screened by this qualifier. Lenders set their own requirement.
- Personal credit
- Not screened by this qualifier. Lenders set their own requirement.
Also: Funding amount of $50,000 or less
Equipment financing
A loan or lease where the equipment itself secures the financing.
Tends to fit: Businesses buying vehicles, machines, tools, or technology with a clear resale value.
- Time in business
- Not screened by this qualifier. Lenders set their own requirement.
- Monthly revenue
- Not screened by this qualifier. Lenders set their own requirement.
- Personal credit
- Not screened by this qualifier. Lenders set their own requirement.
Also: Funds are for equipment
Revenue-based financing
Funding based on your sales, repaid as a share of future revenue.
Tends to fit: Businesses with consistent monthly deposits, including owners with lower credit scores.
- Time in business
- 6 months or more
- Monthly revenue
- $5,000 or more per month
- Personal credit
- Not screened by this qualifier. Lenders set their own requirement.
Business line of credit
A reusable credit limit you draw from when you need it and pay interest only on what you use.
Tends to fit: Established businesses with regular revenue that need flexible access to cash.
- Time in business
- 1 year or more
- Monthly revenue
- $5,000 or more per month
- Personal credit
- Fair (640-679) or better
Online term loan
A lump sum from an online lender, repaid over a set schedule.
Tends to fit: Businesses with a year or more of history and revenue that want to fund a specific project.
- Time in business
- 1 year or more
- Monthly revenue
- $5,000 or more per month
- Personal credit
- Fair (640-679) or better
SBA-backed loan
A loan partly guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration and made by participating lenders.
Tends to fit: Established businesses with solid credit, documented revenue, and time to wait for a decision.
- Time in business
- 2+ years
- Monthly revenue
- $15,000 or more per month
- Personal credit
- Good (680-719) or better
Inventory financing
Funding to buy stock, secured by the inventory you purchase.
Tends to fit: Retail, wholesale, and ecommerce businesses with a history of selling through their stock.
- Time in business
- 6 months or more
- Monthly revenue
- $5,000 or more per month
- Personal credit
- Not screened by this qualifier. Lenders set their own requirement.
Also: Funds are for inventory
Build a funding foundation first
Not a loan. A set of steps, such as opening a business bank account, registering the business, keeping clean records, and working on personal credit.
Tends to fit: Owners who have not launched yet, have no revenue, or have credit that needs work.
- Time in business
- Under 1 year, when paired with credit below 640
- Monthly revenue
- Pre-revenue
- Personal credit
- Needs work (below 640), when paired with under 1 year in business
Also: Shown when either the revenue condition or the credit and time condition applies
How it works
Answer a few questions
Tell us how long you have been in business, your revenue, your credit, and what you need. It takes a couple of minutes.
See funding paths worth exploring
We show two or three types of funding that tend to fit your situation, what lenders in each category usually look for, and where to learn more.
Hear from us or a funding partner
If you give permission, we or a funding partner will reach out using only the methods you checked. You decide whether to move forward.
Common questions
Is this a loan application?
No. This is a free qualifier. Your answers help us point you toward funding paths worth exploring. Any actual application happens later, directly with a lender, and only if you choose to apply.
Does checking affect my credit?
No. We do not pull your credit. You describe your credit in your own words. If you later apply with a lender, that lender may check your credit as part of its own process, and it should tell you before it does.
Who sees my information?
AJV Ventures LLC, which runs this site. You choose whether we can call, text, or email you. We share your contact information and answers with funding partners only if you check the box that allows it, and those partners are listed on our Funding Partners page. We also share details with the service providers that operate this site. We do not sell your information to data brokers. If you click a partner link, you leave our site and that partner's privacy policy applies.
What does it cost?
Nothing. The qualifier is free to use. We may be paid by funding partners, never by you.
Are you the lender?
No. We are not a lender and we do not make credit decisions. We help you understand your options and, if you agree, connect you with third-party funding partners.
What if I was already turned down by a bank?
That is common, and it does not mean every door is closed. Banks tend to have strict requirements. Other lenders weigh things differently, and the qualifier is built to show you where to look next.
