How to get a startup business loan with no revenue
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Short answer: most business lenders want revenue history, so a brand-new business usually funds through the owner instead. That means your personal credit, income, or savings do the heavy lifting.
Want a quick read on your options? Five questions, no credit pull.
Check my funding optionsPaths that can work before you have revenue
- A personal loan used for the business, based on your own credit and income
- Business credit cards, often approved mostly on personal credit
- Using retirement savings to fund the business without taking on debt
- Microloans from community lenders and nonprofits, which often work with startups
How to improve your odds
- Keep your personal credit strong and your debt low
- Form your business entity and get an EIN early
- Open a separate business bank account
- Have a simple plan showing what the money is for and how it pays back
What to watch
Funding a business with personal debt puts your own credit on the line. Borrow only what the plan needs.
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This guide is general education, not financial, legal, or tax advice. AJV Ventures LLC is not a lender. Lender requirements vary, so confirm terms directly with any lender before you apply.