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12 Best Business Credit Cards for Startups With No Credit of September 2024

By Kelsey Sheehy
Last updated on September 10, 2024
Edited byRyan Lane
Fact checked and reviewed

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.

Startups with no credit can still open a business credit card. Most card issuers prioritize personal credit score over factors like business credit score or revenue. That means new companies can get a business credit card with cash-back rewards, travel perks or a long intro APR period — often with no annual fee to keep costs low. Some of the best business cards for startups with no credit include:
  • Best overall business card for startups with no credit:
    Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
    .
  • Best for venture-backed startups:
    Brex Card
    .
  • Best secured business card: Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured.
Business owners with no personal credit should consider a secured card. Secured cards require a deposit that determines your credit limit. A secured personal card will help build your personal credit score, positioning you to eventually upgrade to an unsecured startup business credit card. But if you simply want to establish your startup's credit, a secured business card is the better choice.
Formalized startups with solid capital may have another option. Corporate cards are among the few business credit cards available without a credit check. You can often apply with just an EIN. The tradeoff: You’ll need a hefty business bank account balance to qualify. Still, these cards might be a fit if your startup is incorporated or an LLC, and also has venture backing or otherwise strong cash reserves.
Note: Some of our selections can be applied for through NerdWallet, and some cannot. Below, you’ll find application links for the credit cards from our partners that are available through NerdWallet, followed by the full list of our picks.

Looking for a business credit card?

See our overall favorites, or choose a feature that will benefit your business spending the most.

Our top overall picks

on Nerdwallet's secure site

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.

Startups with no credit can still open a business credit card. Most card issuers prioritize personal credit score over factors like business credit score or revenue. That means new companies can get a business credit card with cash-back rewards, travel perks or a long intro APR period — often with no annual fee to keep costs low. Some of the best business cards for startups with no credit include:
  • Best overall business card for startups with no credit:
    Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
    .
  • Best for venture-backed startups:
    Brex Card
    .
  • Best secured business card: Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured.
Business owners with no personal credit should consider a secured card. Secured cards require a deposit that determines your credit limit. A secured personal card will help build your personal credit score, positioning you to eventually upgrade to an unsecured startup business credit card. But if you simply want to establish your startup's credit, a secured business card is the better choice.
Formalized startups with solid capital may have another option. Corporate cards are among the few business credit cards available without a credit check. You can often apply with just an EIN. The tradeoff: You’ll need a hefty business bank account balance to qualify. Still, these cards might be a fit if your startup is incorporated or an LLC, and also has venture backing or otherwise strong cash reserves.
Note: Some of our selections can be applied for through NerdWallet, and some cannot. Below, you’ll find application links for the credit cards from our partners that are available through NerdWallet, followed by the full list of our picks.

Looking for a business credit card?

See our overall favorites, or choose a feature that will benefit your business spending the most.

Our top overall picks

on Nerdwallet's secure site

Here are the best business credit cards for startups with no credit

Best forNerdWallet ratingAnnual feeRewards rateIntro offerLearn more

Overall business card for startups with no credit

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Apply now

on Chase's website

5.0/5
$0

1.5%

Cashback

$900

Apply now

on Chase's website

Travel rewards

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Apply now

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

4.5/5
$0 intro for the first year, then $95

2x-5x

Points

50,000

Points

Apply now

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Travel rewards + sign-up bonus

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Apply now

on Chase's website

4.7/5
$95

1x-3x

Points

90,000

Points

Apply now

on Chase's website

No annual fee travel card

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card

Apply now

on Bank of America's website

3.6/5
$0

1.5x

Points

30,000

Points

Apply now

on Bank of America's website

Corporate card (no personal guarantee)

Ramp Card

Apply now

on Ramp's website

2.8/5
$0

1%-1.5%

Cashback

N/A

Apply now

on Ramp's website

Corporate card for venture-backed startups

Brex Card

Apply now

on Brex's website

3.2/5
$0

1x-7x

Points

10,000

Points

Apply now

on Brex's website

Secured card to build personal credit

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Apply now

on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264

Rates & Fees

5.0/5
$0

1%-2%

Cashback

Cashback Match™

Apply now

on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264

Rates & Fees

Startups with annual spend below $50K

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

4.7/5
$0

1%-2%

Cashback

$250

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

Cash-back boost (up to 75%)

Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

Apply now

on Bank of America's website

4.4/5
$0

1.5%

Cashback

$300

Apply now

on Bank of America's website

Intro APR + AmEx Membership Rewards

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

4.4/5
$0

1x-2x

Points

15,000

Points

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

Corporate card for fair credit

BILL Divvy Corporate Card

Apply now

on BILL Spend & Expense's website

2.7/5
$0

1x-7x

Points

N/A

Apply now

on BILL Spend & Expense's website

Business credit card for fair, average credit

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

Apply now

on Capital on Tap's website

3.8/5
$0

1.5%

N/A

Apply now

on Capital on Tap's website

Overall business card for startups with no credit

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Apply now

on Chase's website

5.0/5
$0

1.5%

Cashback

$900

Apply now

on Chase's website

Travel rewards

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Apply now

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

4.5/5
$0 intro for the first year, then $95

2x-5x

Points

50,000

Points

Apply now

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Travel rewards + sign-up bonus

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Apply now

on Chase's website

4.7/5
$95

1x-3x

Points

90,000

Points

Apply now

on Chase's website

No annual fee travel card

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card

Apply now

on Bank of America's website

3.6/5
$0

1.5x

Points

30,000

Points

Apply now

on Bank of America's website

Corporate card (no personal guarantee)

Ramp Card

Apply now

on Ramp's website

2.8/5
$0

1%-1.5%

Cashback

N/A

Apply now

on Ramp's website

Corporate card for venture-backed startups

Brex Card

Apply now

on Brex's website

3.2/5
$0

1x-7x

Points

10,000

Points

Apply now

on Brex's website

Secured card to build personal credit

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Apply now

on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264

Rates & Fees

5.0/5
$0

1%-2%

Cashback

Cashback Match™

Apply now

on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264

Rates & Fees

Startups with annual spend below $50K

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

4.7/5
$0

1%-2%

Cashback

$250

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

Cash-back boost (up to 75%)

Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

Apply now

on Bank of America's website

4.4/5
$0

1.5%

Cashback

$300

Apply now

on Bank of America's website

Intro APR + AmEx Membership Rewards

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

4.4/5
$0

1x-2x

Points

15,000

Points

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

Corporate card for fair credit

BILL Divvy Corporate Card

Apply now

on BILL Spend & Expense's website

2.7/5
$0

1x-7x

Points

N/A

Apply now

on BILL Spend & Expense's website

Business credit card for fair, average credit

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

Apply now

on Capital on Tap's website

3.8/5
$0

1.5%

N/A

Apply now

on Capital on Tap's website

I'M INTERESTED IN:

Our pick for

Overall business card for startups with no credit

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Read Review
Apply now

on Chase's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
$900

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
  • No reward caps
  • New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

  • No bonus categories

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

NerdWallet rating 

5.0/5
Apply now

on Chase's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
$900

Our pick for

Travel rewards

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Read Review
Apply now

on Capital One's website

Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Rewards rate
2x-5x Points
Intro offer
50,000 Points

Pros

  • High rewards rate
  • No minimum redemption amount

Cons

  • Has annual fee
  • No Intro APR period
  • High APR

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

NerdWallet rating 

4.5/5
Apply now

on Capital One's website

Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Rewards rate
2x-5x Points
Intro offer
50,000 Points

Our pick for

Travel rewards + sign-up bonus

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Read Review
Apply now

on Chase's website

Annual fee
$95
Rewards rate
1x-3x Points
Intro offer
90,000 Points

Pros

  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • Bonus categories
  • Transfer partners

Cons

  • Has annual fee
  • No intro APR offer

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

NerdWallet rating 

4.7/5
Apply now

on Chase's website

Annual fee
$95
Rewards rate
1x-3x Points
Intro offer
90,000 Points

Our pick for

No annual fee travel card

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card

Read Review
Apply now

on Bank of America's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5x Points
Intro offer
30,000 Points

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • No reward caps
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • Requires excellent credit

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card

NerdWallet rating 

3.6/5
Apply now

on Bank of America's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5x Points
Intro offer
30,000 Points

Our pick for

Corporate card (no personal guarantee)

Ramp Card

Read Review
Apply now

on Ramp's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
N/A

Pros

  • No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
  • No personal guarantee or credit check
  • Direct integrations with popular tools and card-level spending controls and alerts

Cons

  • Balance must be paid in full each month
  • Not available to sole proprietors or unincorporated businesses
  • Rewards rate varies and is determined for each customer by Ramp.

Ramp Card

NerdWallet rating 

2.8/5
Apply now

on Ramp's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
N/A

Our pick for

Corporate card for venture-backed startups

Brex Card

Read Review
Apply now

on Brex's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-7x Points
Intro offer
10,000 Points

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • Qualify with limited/bad credit
  • Bonus categories
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • No personal guarantee

Cons

  • Complicated rewards structure
  • High capital requirement for approval
  • Daily repayment may be required
  • Not available to sole proprietors

Brex Card

NerdWallet rating 

3.2/5
Apply now

on Brex's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-7x Points
Intro offer
10,000 Points

Our pick for

Secured card to build personal credit

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Read Review
Apply now

on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2% Cashback
Intro offer
Cashback Match™

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Reports to the three major credit bureaus
  • Qualify with limited/bad credit
  • Earns rewards
  • New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

  • Requires minimum deposit
  • High APR

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

NerdWallet rating 

5.0/5
Apply now

on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2% Cashback
Intro offer
Cashback Match™

Our pick for

Startups with annual spend below $50K

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Read Review
Apply now

on American Express' website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2% Cashback
Intro offer
$250

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • High rewards rate
  • Intro APR period
  • Cash rewards

Cons

  • Spending caps on bonus rewards
  • Requires good/excellent credit

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

NerdWallet rating 

4.7/5
Apply now

on American Express' website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2% Cashback
Intro offer
$250

Our pick for

Cash-back boost (up to 75%)

Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

Read Review
Apply now

on Bank of America's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
$300

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • High cash back rate

Cons

  • Has foreign transaction fee
  • Requires excellent credit

Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

NerdWallet rating 

4.4/5
Apply now

on Bank of America's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
$300

Our pick for

Intro APR + AmEx Membership Rewards

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Read Review
Apply now

on American Express' website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-2x Points
Intro offer
15,000 Points

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • High rewards rate
  • Intro APR period
  • Transfer partners

Cons

  • Spending caps on bonus rewards
  • Requires good/excellent credit

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

NerdWallet rating 

4.4/5