With steady deposits and at least a year in business, revenue-based funding is commonly sized at roughly 50% to 150% of one month's revenue. Lines of credit, term loans and SBA loans open up as time in business and credit improve: banks and SBA lenders generally want 2 years in business and a score in the high 600s or better.
Enter your numbers below to see which funding types are realistic for you today, the typical amount ranges, and what would improve your options. It is an estimate, not an offer or approval, and nothing you enter leaves your browser.
You meet FSE's minimums (1 year in business and $10,000+ a month). Final amounts and terms are set by the lending partner after reviewing your bank statements.
Merchant cash advance / revenue-based financing
Realistic- Based mainly on your bank deposits, not your credit score.
Business line of credit
Possible- Depends on your personal credit: online lines publish minimums around 625.
Term loan
Possible- Depends on your personal credit: online term lenders publish minimums around 625.
SBA 7(a) loan
Possible- Two or more years in business; approval will depend on your credit and cash flow.
- SBA loans have the lowest rates of these options but the most paperwork and the longest process.
- Since March 1, 2026, every owner must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
Equipment financing
Realistic- The equipment secures the financing, which makes it one of the easier products to qualify for.
- Only relevant if you are buying equipment.
Invoice factoring
Unlikely for now- Only works if most of your sales are invoices to other businesses or government, paid on terms.
What would improve your options
- Check your personal credit score. Lines of credit, term loans and SBA loans depend on it.
- Keep a positive daily balance. Overdrafts and returned payments on recent statements count against you with most funders.
See real offers for $40,000 — no fee, no credit check to apply
Estimate only, not an offer. Actual terms depend on the lender and your file.
How the checker works
The checker runs a set of conservative rules in your browser. Each rule is based on the minimums lenders publish and on the requirements described in our guides to business loan requirements, lines of credit and SBA loans. When a rule is borderline, it leans toward the smaller amount and the less optimistic label.
| Funding type | Realistic when | Typical range used |
|---|---|---|
| Merchant cash advance / revenue-based | 12+ months and $10K+/month (6 to 11 months: possible) | 50% to 150% of monthly revenue |
| Line of credit | 12+ months, $10K+/month, score 620+ (680+ and 2 years: realistic) | 50% to 100% of monthly revenue, max $250K |
| Term loan | 12+ months, $100K+/year, score 620+ (680+ and 2 years: realistic) | 50% to 150% of monthly revenue |
| SBA 7(a) loan | 2+ years, score 620+ (680+: realistic) | 100% to 300% of monthly revenue, max $5M |
| Equipment financing | 12+ months and score 620+ (newer: possible) | Set by the equipment's price |
| Invoice factoring | You invoice other businesses on terms | Set by your unpaid invoices |
- Existing advances or loans. If current payments take 10% to 25% of monthly revenue, ranges are halved. At 25% or more, new money is shown as unlikely, because the realistic next step is paying down or consolidating.
- Credit. It is optional and self-reported. A score under 550 trims the top of the advance range to 100% of monthly revenue and rules out lines, term loans and SBA loans. "Not sure" is treated as possible, not as good.
- SBA ranges are deliberately low. SBA lenders size loans on cash flow (a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.15), which needs your profit figures. A profitable business can often borrow more than the range shown.
- FSE's minimum is 1 year in business and $10,000 a month. Below it the checker shows next steps instead of an application amount.
What it cannot see: your bank statements (average daily balance, overdrafts, deposit consistency), your industry's specific risk, collateral, and each lender's own policy. Those decide the real offer.
How to qualify for more business funding
- Run all sales through one business bank account so your deposits show your real revenue.
- Keep a positive daily balance; overdrafts and returned payments on recent statements count against you.
- Pay down or consolidate existing advances before adding new ones.
- Keep revolving credit balances low and dispute errors on your credit report.
- Have recent bank statements, a tax return and a debt schedule ready. See the full list in our guide to business loan requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How much business funding can I qualify for?
For revenue-based funding such as a merchant cash advance, a common starting point is about 50% to 150% of your average monthly deposits, less if you already have advances or loans. Lines of credit, term loans and SBA loans depend more on time in business and credit. The checker above applies these rules to your numbers; the real amount is set by the lender after reviewing your bank statements.
What do I need to qualify for business funding through FSE?
FSE's lending partners generally need at least 1 year in business and $10,000 or more in monthly revenue. There is no fee to your business, since FSE is paid by its funding partners, and no credit check to apply.
Can I get business funding with bad credit?
Usually yes, but the options narrow. Merchant cash advances and revenue-based financing are underwritten mainly on bank deposits, and invoice factoring mainly on your customers' credit. Lines of credit and term loans from online lenders publish minimums around 625, and banks and SBA lenders usually want scores in the high 600s or better.
How long do I need to be in business to get a business loan?
Usually 2 years for a bank or SBA loan, 1 year for most online lenders, and 6 months for some revenue-based products and lines of credit. FSE's minimum is 1 year.
Is this checker a pre-approval or an offer?
No. It is an estimate based on general rules of thumb and on what you type in. It does not check your credit, and nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere. Only a lender's review of your application produces an offer.