Best Business Loans for Companies With Low Revenue

There are some business loans available to companies with low revenue, but the higher your revenue, the more options you’ll typically have.

best low-revenue business loans: More details

Headway Capital: Best for fast funding icon

Headway Capital: Best for fast funding

Headway Capital requires only $50,000 in annual revenue. If you qualify, you may be approved for a line of credit up to $100,000 in just minutes, and receive funds as quickly as the next business day.

Headway Capital - Line of credit

Headway Capital - Line of credit

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Max loan amount
$100,000
Min. credit score
625
Term length
12 to 24 months

Pros

  • Flexible qualification requirements.
  • No prepayment penalties.
  • Funds available by next business day after approval.

Cons

  • Most borrowers are subject to a 2% draw fee.
  • Not available in all U.S. states.

Pros

  • Flexible qualification requirements.
  • No prepayment penalties.
  • Funds available by next business day after approval.

Cons

  • Most borrowers are subject to a 2% draw fee.
  • Not available in all U.S. states.

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Giggle Finance: Best for freelancers and contractors icon

Giggle Finance: Best for freelancers and contractors

If you’re a freelancer, contractor or self-employed individual, you may be able to qualify for a loan of up to $5,000 with Giggle Finance. It only requires $3,000 in monthly revenue and has no minimum credit score requirement.

Giggle Finance - Merchant cash advance

Giggle Finance - Merchant cash advance

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Max loan amount
$10,000
Min. credit score
300
Term length
Undisclosed

Pros

  • No minimum credit score requirement.
  • Same-day funding available.
  • Specifically designed for freelancers and self-employed individuals.

Cons

  • Funding maxes out at $10,000 ($20,000 for repeat customers).
  • Factor rate and fee information not available on website.
  • Charges an origination fee.

Pros

  • No minimum credit score requirement.
  • Same-day funding available.
  • Specifically designed for freelancers and self-employed individuals.

Cons

  • Funding maxes out at $10,000 ($20,000 for repeat customers).
  • Factor rate and fee information not available on website.
  • Charges an origination fee.

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JR Capital: Best for equipment financing icon

JR Capital: Best for equipment financing

JR Capital is an online lender that offers equipment loans up to $10 million. Like many self-collateralizing loans — meaning the equipment you purchase with the loan is the only collateral needed — JR does not have set revenue requirements.

JR Capital - Equipment financing

JR Capital - Equipment financing

Max loan amount
$10,000,000
Min. credit score
620
Term length
24 months to 7 years

Pros

  • Funding available within 48 hours.
  • Competitive rates and repayment terms.
  • Flexible payment options available, including deferment options for certain industries.
  • No down payment required.
  • Can be used to build business credit.

Cons

  • Must have good credit to qualify for no prepayment penalties.
  • Charges an origination fee.

Pros

  • Funding available within 48 hours.
  • Competitive rates and repayment terms.
  • Flexible payment options available, including deferment options for certain industries.
  • No down payment required.
  • Can be used to build business credit.

Cons

  • Must have good credit to qualify for no prepayment penalties.
  • Charges an origination fee.
iBusiness Funding: Best for long-term loans icon

iBusiness Funding: Best for long-term loans

iBusiness Funding offers repayment terms up to seven years, and you may be able to qualify with $50,000 in annual revenue. Long loan terms spread your purchase out over a longer period of time, which means lower monthly payments and less burden on cash flow.

May fund quickly
iBusiness Funding - Online term loan

iBusiness Funding - Online term loan

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Max loan amount
$500,000
Min. credit score
660
Term length
6 months to 5 years

Pros

  • Cash can be available within two business days.
  • Competitive rates among online lenders.
  • Terms up to five years.
  • iBusiness Funding also offers SBA loans up to $5 million.

Cons

  • Charges an origination fee.
  • Must be in business for a minimum of 24 months.
  • Minimum credit score is higher than some other lenders.

Pros

  • Cash can be available within two business days.
  • Competitive rates among online lenders.
  • Terms up to five years.
  • iBusiness Funding also offers SBA loans up to $5 million.

Cons

  • Charges an origination fee.
  • Must be in business for a minimum of 24 months.
  • Minimum credit score is higher than some other lenders.

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Fundation: Best for large loan amounts icon

Fundation: Best for large loan amounts

Fundation is an online lender that offers business term loans up to $500,000, allowing you to finance larger amounts even with low business revenue. You’ll need at least $50,000 to qualify. Fundation offers repayment terms up to four years.

Fundation - Term loan

Fundation - Term loan

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Max loan amount
$500,000
Min. credit score
660
Term length
12 months to 4 years

Pros

  • Can be used to build business credit.
  • Long repayment terms available.
  • No prepayment penalty.

Cons

  • Charges an origination fee.
  • Requires a UCC lien.
  • Not available in Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Dakota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania or Tennessee.

Pros

  • Can be used to build business credit.
  • Long repayment terms available.
  • No prepayment penalty.

Cons

  • Charges an origination fee.
  • Requires a UCC lien.
  • Not available in Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Dakota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania or Tennessee.

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Fundbox: Best for startups icon

Fundbox: Best for startups

If you have been in business for at least three months and are generating $2,500 in monthly revenue, Fundbox’s line of credit may be a good way to cover short-term needs as you grow your business.

May fund quickly
Fundbox - Line of credit

Fundbox - Line of credit

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Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
600
Term length
3 to 6 months

Pros

  • Financing available within two business days after approval.
  • Simple application with minimal documentation required.
  • Low minimum credit score, time in business and annual revenue requirements.
  • No prepayment penalties, account maintenance fees or inactivity fees.

Cons

  • Rates are high compared with traditional banks.
  • Weekly repayments required over a short term (maximum of 24 weeks).

Pros

  • Financing available within two business days after approval.
  • Simple application with minimal documentation required.
  • Low minimum credit score, time in business and annual revenue requirements.
  • No prepayment penalties, account maintenance fees or inactivity fees.

Cons

  • Rates are high compared with traditional banks.
  • Weekly repayments required over a short term (maximum of 24 weeks).

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Accion: Best for minority-owned businesses icon

Accion: Best for minority-owned businesses

Accion Opportunity Fund is a nonprofit lender that works with minority- and women-owned businesses. It offers working capital loans up to $250,000 plus free business mentoring and educational resources. Its minimum annual revenue requirement is $50,000.

Accion Opportunity Fund Small Business Working Capital Loan

Accion Opportunity Fund Small Business Working Capital Loan

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Max loan amount
$350,000
Min. credit score
600
Term length
12 months to 5 years

Pros

  • Loan amounts from $5,000 to $350,000.
  • Customized loan terms.
  • No prepayment penalty.

Cons

  • Slower processing speed compared with online lenders.
  • Charges an origination fee.
  • Not available in all U.S. states.

Pros

  • Loan amounts from $5,000 to $350,000.
  • Customized loan terms.
  • No prepayment penalty.

Cons

  • Slower processing speed compared with online lenders.
  • Charges an origination fee.
  • Not available in all U.S. states.

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Bank of America: Best for building a strong banking relationship icon

Bank of America: Best for building a strong banking relationship

For businesses with at least $50,000 in annual revenue, Bank of America offers a line of credit that can be secured by cash. Because the loan amount is equal to the cash you deposit as collateral, this type of loan is ideal for small-business owners who prioritize establishing a banking relationship over borrowing funds for their business.

Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Secured Line of Credit

Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Secured Line of Credit

Max loan amount
Undisclosed
Min. credit score
670
Term length
Undisclosed

Pros

  • Available to borrowers with at least six months in business.
  • No origination fee.
  • Responsible spending can help you graduate to an unsecured credit line.

Cons

  • Credit limit is based on the security deposit you provide.
  • Must have a Bank of America checking or savings account to apply.

Pros

  • Available to borrowers with at least six months in business.
  • No origination fee.
  • Responsible spending can help you graduate to an unsecured credit line.

Cons

  • Credit limit is based on the security deposit you provide.
  • Must have a Bank of America checking or savings account to apply.

Why does revenue matter to business lenders?

Revenue is the amount of money your business brings in by selling your products or services, before expenses are subtracted. It’s one part of understanding business profit, which is the money left over after you account for all your expenses.
Steady and consistent operating revenue, or sales, show that you’re executing on your business plan, demonstrating to would-be lenders that you know how to run a small business.
Revenue is an indicator — beyond just personal credit score or time in business — of your ability to repay debt, which is why it’s an important component of a business loan application.
Many lenders require that you have at least $100,000 in annual business income, or approximately $8,333 in income per month, in order to qualify for a loan. Online lenders may have more flexible revenue requirements, while banks are likely to be stricter.

How much revenue do you need for an SBA loan?

The U.S. Small Business Administration does not set a minimum annual revenue requirement. However, because most SBA loans are issued by banks, many are bound to have similar revenue requirements as traditional bank loans, in addition to more stringent credit score and time in business requirements.
SBA microloans, which are the smallest SBA loans, tend to be the easiest to qualify for, and can be a good option if you have low revenue.
SBA microloan
U.S. Small Business Administration

SBA microloan

Max Loan Amount  

$50,000

Read Review
Apply now

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Can you get a business loan with no revenue?

Business financing that has low or no minimum revenue requirements typically requires some form of collateral to secure the loan; however, even secured loans or secured lines of credit may still have minimum revenue requirements.
Self-collateralizing loans like equipment loans or invoice financing may be more lenient on qualification requirements, including minimum revenue, because they come with built-in collateral. Equipment loans are secured by the equipment being financed, and invoice financing uses the value of unpaid customer invoices as collateral.

Alternative financing options for businesses with low revenue

If you’re struggling with business loan requirements, other types of business financing may be a better fit.
  • Business credit cards. If you have good personal credit, business credit card issuers may not consider your time in business or revenue history. A business credit card can be a helpful tool for covering cash-flow gaps and making larger purchases while you’re building your business financial history.
  • Small-business grants. Instead of taking on additional debt when your business is struggling to generate revenue, you might consider applying for small-business grants. Grant recipients don’t have to repay the funds they receive, but competition for this free money is stiff and the application process can be time-consuming.
  • Friends and family loans. If you can make the case to good friends and family members who are willing and able to help your business, you may be able to access capital with a friends and family loan, even with low or no revenue. Just make sure you put your loan agreement in some form of writing to avoid any personal conflicts in the future. 
  • Crowdfunding. Crowdfunding is a form of business financing where you raise money for your business from investors, in exchange for small shares of ownership in your business or other rewards.
NerdWallet writer Rosalie Murphy contributed to this article.
Last updated on February 18, 2025
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"I was on the market for small business funding to help expand my business and they were able to get me funded in record time, with a great amount and better rates than I was getting with other companies."
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Methodology

NerdWallet’s review process evaluates and rates small-business loans from traditional banks and online lenders. We collect over 30 data points on each lender using company websites and public documents. We may also go through a lender’s initial application flow and reach out to company representatives. NerdWallet writers and editors conduct a full fact check and update annually, but also make updates throughout the year as necessary.
To come up with our list of the best low-revenue business loans, we selected lenders with a minimum annual revenue requirement of $50,000 or lower, and strong NerdWallet star ratings.
Our star ratings award points to lenders that offer small-business friendly features, including:
- Transparency of rates and terms - Flexible payment options - Fast funding times - Accessible customer service - Reporting of payments to business credit bureaus - Responsible lending practices.
We weigh these factors based on our assessment of which are the most important to small-business owners and how meaningfully they impact borrowers’ experiences.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings. Read more about our ratings methodology for small-business loans and our editorial guidelines.