Some lending options provide a niche focus, while others cast a wide net. GUD Capital is the latter, as it facilitates everything from small non-loan funding options like merchant cash advances for $5k to multi-million-dollar bank loans to enterprise-level businesses.
However, the lending marketplace might not be the right fit for every small business owner. The number of options, lack of transparency, and costs could be an issue for some.
Guidant Financial is a business financing facilitator and a provider of small business services. Its focus is on helping entrepreneurs start, buy, or grow businesses through a mix of traditional and non-traditional financing options. The company’s offerings are especially popular with startups and franchise owners who often face hurdles securing funds through banks alone.
The company’s core offerings include ROBS, SBA loans, unsecured loans, and equipment financing. Guidant Financial operates its services across all 50 states in the United States. It is essential to consult with professionals to understand state-specific regulations and compliance requirements when utilizing Guidant Financial’s services.
Thanks to companies like Headway Capital, younger businesses can access business lines of credit with bad credit with rocky cash flow. Unlike more traditional options, Headway Capital caters to less established companies and offers multiple repayment methods.
Skip is a comprehensive platform designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners find business funding and growth opportunities. Serving as a marketplace, Skip connects users with a wide range of funding options, including grants, loans, and other financing opportunities available in the United States. By becoming a Skip member, you gain access to an extensive database of funding sources and expert insights and tips to expedite the funding application process.
iBusiness Funding, LLC is a financial technology company headquartered in Florida focused on expanding access to business financing through automation and lender partnerships. The company was built to help banks, credit unions, and other lenders deliver more efficient capital using technology-forward underwriting and decision tools. The company acquired Funding Circle in 2024.
As a newer player in the world of online business financing, Idea Financial has built a solid reputation for fast funding at reasonable rates and providing personalized business advice. The lender is more selective than most, but for those who qualify, Idea is an excellent option for a line of credit and short-term loans.
Businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic can still file for the Employee Retention Tax Credit. The little-known program can provide up to $26,000 per employee for wages paid in 2020 and 2021.
Many business owners are still unaware of the program or if they’re eligible to claim the credit. Tax specialist companies like Innovation Refunds help businesses determine eligibility and apply to the IRS.
However, Innovation Refunds might not be the right fit for all small businesses. It charges a hefty fee, only works with enterprises that meet a minimum number of employees, and doesn’t offer an ERC advance. This review can help you decide if Innovation Refunds is right for your ERC filing needs.
Small businesses that need quick funding and can’t qualify for small business loans from banks often turn to alternative lenders. IOU Financial is a paperless, alternative lender with a low credit score requirement, same-day decisions, and funding within 24 hours of approval.
However, all lenders have their benefits and drawbacks. With IOU, you’ll get higher interest rates and fees than many conventional lenders. In addition, you can’t apply directly to the lender currently. You must work with an independent reseller that partners with the lender to apply for its small business loans.
Ironwood Finance is a specialty finance company that provides asset-based funding solutions for real estate investors and businesses that sell on credit terms. The company focuses primarily on hard money real estate loans and invoice factoring rather than conventional business loans. Its mission is to help borrowers access funds quickly when banks decline applications or when timing is critical to closing a deal.
JRG Funding is a merchant cash advance (MCA) direct funder that provides working capital solutions to small businesses. According to its Better Business Bureau profile, the company launched in 2021, making it a relatively newer entrant in the alternative finance space. The alternative finance firm is based in New York and provides fast working capital solutions for small businesses.
In online business lending, few companies have grown as dramatically as Kabbage. Much of Kabbage’s success can be attributed to its underwriting requirements and various features that stand apart from its massive competition.
Kalamata Capital Group primarily operates by offering revenue-based funding, typically structured as a merchant cash advance (MCA). Rather than providing a traditional term loan with fixed monthly payments, Kalamata Capital normally advances a lump-sum capital injection in exchange for a portion of the business’s future sales. This product may also be listed as a business cash advance.
Funding amounts can vary based on the business’s revenue, account activity, and transaction history. The company states its advances go up to $750,000. The cost of capital is usually expressed as a factor rate rather than an interest rate, which is typically a simple calculation, but costs can run high. It’s often challenging to compare factor rates to conventional business loan interest rates.
Small business owners who need quick funding for business loans might be interested in Kapitus. The lender offers a fast approval process, quick funding, and a wide range of financing products.
Key Equipment Finance, backed by KeyBank, provides various flexible financing options for essential business equipment. However, the company might not be right for every small business.
It doesn’t provide an online application or publish interest rates or fees. This review can help you decide if Key is suitable for your equipment financing needs by covering the benefits, drawbacks, and application process.
Small business owners have many financing options, including traditional and alternative lenders. While online lenders provide speed and convenience, some businesses prefer the traditional experience of a brick-and-mortar bank.
KeyBank is one of the largest in the US, providing a robust small business lending program. It is also an SBA-preferred lender.
However, the bank might not be a suitable lender for every small business. It provides very little information on funding times, eligibility, and costs.
L3 Funding is a merchant funding company that provides alternative financing solutions to small and mid-sized businesses across the United States. The company focuses on helping business owners who may struggle to access traditional bank financing due to credit challenges, limited operating history, or urgent funding needs. L3 Funding offers three main types of merchant funding: business cash advances, business loans, and lines of credit.
Legend Funding, also known as Legend Advance Funding, is a business funding company that provides working capital solutions primarily through merchant cash advances. The company serves small business owners nationwide who may not qualify for traditional bank loans or need funds faster than banks can provide. Its stated mission centers on helping businesses access capital efficiently while keeping speed and service a top priority.
Lendesca is a financial technology company dedicated to helping small businesses and self-employed individuals secure funding through tax credits and loans. The platform understands the unique financial needs of its target audience and offers specialized loan solutions designed to address those challenges.
With Lendesca, business owners can access capital quickly, providing the crucial financial support needed to manage expenses, invest in growth, or recover from setbacks. Whether it’s funds for equipment, working capital, or acquisitions, Lendesca’s tailored approach aims to empower business growth and financial stability.
LendingPoint is an online lender specializing in personal loans with lower qualifications than banks and much faster funding times. In addition, the online lender recently added some small business point-of-sale partnerships for companies to offer their customers term loans to pay for goods and services.
However, the online lender won’t work for every business or startup need. We can help you decide if LendingPoint’s options could work for your startup or sales process by covering the benefits, drawbacks, and application process.
Small business loan marketplaces like LendingTree help connect companies to multiple lending offers from a vast lending network. Business owners of all credit scores, industries, and time in business can apply to the lender network.
The tradeoff for the convenience of the service is additional fees and your information going to many institutions who may contact you persistently. The service works for some small businesses, but not all.
Use our simple online application to submit a request for business funding. If you need any help along the way, just give us a call, chat or email.
An expert, knowledgeable account executive will walk you through all the fine details and the requirements. This is to ensure you have all the info you need.
Once your funding has been approved & closed, the lender sends the funds to your account so you can start using it to grow your business.
