Small Business Loans, Grants, & Venture Capital

7(a) Loans

This is the Small Business Administration (SBA) primary business loan program. A 7(a) loan may be used for most business purposes including start-up, expansion, equipment purchases, working capital, inventory or real-estate acquisition.

The SBA can guarantee up to $750,000 of a private-sector loan. Interest rates for 7(a) loans are negotiated between the applicant and the lender.

Low Documentation Loan (SBALowDoc)

If you are looking for a small business loan of $150,000 or less, SBALowDoc may be your answer.

SBAExpress

SBAExpress encourages lenders to make more small loans to small businesses. Lenders approve loans of up to $150,000. Lenders can also offer revolving lines of credit to borrowers.

SBA Loan Prequalification Program

Offered to armed forces veterans, minorities, women, exporters, rural small business owners and business owners in certain specialized industries, this program enables the SBA to prequalify an applicant for a 7(a) loan guaranty before the applicant goes to a bank. The maximum loan amount is $250,000. The application will focus on your character, credit, experience and reliability rather than assets.

7(m) MicroLoan

The MicroLoan Program provides short-term loans of up to $35,000. If you need a loan for small-scale financing purposes such as inventory, supplies and working capital, this program may be your answer.

CAPLines

This program features five types of loans for financing the short-term and cyclical working-capital needs of small businesses: Seasonal, Contract, Builders, Standard Asset-Based, and Small Asset-Based. The SBA can generally guarantee up to $750,000 of a loan.

504 Loans

The 504 Program provides long-term, fixed-asset financing through certified development companies. The maximum SBA debenture generally is $750,000 (up to $1 million in some cases).

Defense Loan & Technical Assistance (DELTA)

Created for defense-dependent small firms that have been adversely affected by defense cuts; the maximum DELTA loan is $1.25 million.

Physical Disaster Business Loans

Up to $1,500,000 ($1.5 million). Any business that is located in a declared disaster area and has
incurred damage during the disaster may apply for a loan to help
repair or replace damaged property to its pre-disaster condition.

Community Adjustment & Investment (CAIP)

CAIP loans are intended to create new, sustainable jobs and preserve existing jobs in businesses at risk due to changing trade patterns with Canada and Mexico.

Export Working Capital Program (EWCP)

The EWCP provides short-term loans to small businesses for export-related transactions. Under the EWCP, the SBA can guarantee up to 90 percent of a secured loan or $750,000.

International Trade Loan (ITL)

This program offers short- and long-term financing to small businesses involved in exporting. The SBA can guarantee up to $1.25 million for a combination of fixed-asset financing and working capital.

Pollution Control Loan

To be eligible for this loan, your business must design, build, install or service a pollution control facility. Maximum SBA exposure under the program is $1 million.

Small Business Grants

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program - Under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, 10 federal agencies having annual external research and development requirements of more than $100,000,000 ($100 million), must reserve 2.5% of these funds for award to small businesses. 

Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program - Under the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, five agencies with annual external research and development budgets of more than ($1,000,000,000) $1 billion, must reserve .15% of these funds for award to collaborative efforts between small businesses and non-profit research institutions.

Venture Capital

 Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) - Unique economic-development tools, SBICs put venture capital, in the form of debt and equity financing, into small businesses for growth, modernization and expansion. SBIC's are investment companies licensed by the SBA. They make venture capital investments and long-term loans to small businesses.

Specialized Small Business Investment Companies (SSBICs)
Typically, SSBICs make smaller investments than the regular SBICs. They are a significant component of the SBIC program, investing solely in small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

 The Angel Capital Electronic Network (ACE-Net) - ACE-Net is a nationwide listing service that allows "angel" investors to obtain information on small, dynamic, growing businesses seeking $250,000 to $5,000,000 ($5 million) in venture capital.