• The SBA Microloan Program provides small loans—up to $50,000—to help startups and growing small businesses get the capital they need. Loans are funded by the SBA and delivered through nonprofit, community-based lenders known as intermediaries.

    • Maximum Loan: $50,000

    • Average Loan: About $13,000

    • Typical Interest Rates: 8% – 13%

    • Loan Terms: Up to 7 years (most are 3–6 years)

    • For-profit small businesses and some non-profits

    • U.S.-based, operating legally

    • Must apply through a local SBA-approved intermediary

    • Collateral and a personal guarantee are usually required

    • Find an SBA-approved microloan intermediary (see SBA website for locator)

    • Apply directly—requirements and approval process vary by intermediary

    • Business training/mentoring may be required (a unique feature of this program)

    • Ideal for small loan needs

    • Great for new, very small, or underserved businesses

    • More flexible requirements than traditional bank loans

    • Access to training and technical support

    Who Benefits?

    • Women-owned businesses: 48% of borrowers

    • Minority-owned: 27% African-American, 19% Hispanic

    • Startups: 41% of microloans go to new businesses

    • Rural communities: 29% of loans

SBA Microloans

  • The SBA 7(a) Loan Program is the U.S. Small Business Administration’s most popular loan program, designed to help small businesses access funding for a wide variety of business purposes.

    • Loan Amounts: Up to $5 million

    • Use of Funds:

      • Working capital

      • Equipment and inventory

      • Business acquisition

      • Real estate (purchase, renovation, or new construction)

      • Debt refinancing (with restrictions)

    • Term Lengths:

      • Up to 10 years for most purposes

      • Up to 25 years for real estate

    • Operate for profit and be considered a small business (per SBA size standards)

    • Operate in the U.S. or its territories

    • Reasonable owner equity investment

    • Exhaust alternative financial resources first

    • Not be delinquent on any existing government debt

    1. Find an SBA-approved lender

    2. Gather documents: Business plan, financials, credit history, collateral info, etc.

    3. Lender reviews and submits application to SBA

    4. SBA reviews, approves, and guarantees loan

SBA 7(a) Loan

Business Funding

  • Dream it.

    Work with Seasoned Entrepreneurs

    Access knowledge and resources from small business experts

  • Build it.

    Get Approved with Pre-Loan Support

    Pre-loan support to help loan applicants get approved

  • Grow it.

    Personal Post-Loan Advising

    We help you grow and succeed with smart business decisions

  • Sell it.

    One-on-one customized business advising

    Help with credit improvement, business plans, financial reporting, daily operating challenges, business strategy, opportunity evaluation and other personalized services

    Actionable tips, tools and techniques

    Online and in-person workshops

Make It