How Much Money Can I Borrow to Start a Business?
How much money you can borrow to start a business depends on what backs the loan, because a startup has no revenue history to borrow against. Realistic ranges, product by product.
Last updated · Reviewed by Cody Dreis
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The Full Answer
SBA microloans reach $50,000, with typical loans running well under that, and are built specifically for early-stage businesses. Equipment financing scales with the asset: $5,000 to several million, since the equipment secures the loan and your personal credit carries the application. SBA 7(a) startup loans can reach into the hundreds of thousands for the right file, but expect to bring a 680+ credit score, a credible plan with projections, industry experience, and your own equity injection of roughly 10–30% of project cost. Venture debt for equity-backed startups often runs $500K and up, tied to the strength of your investors.
The number that matters more than any maximum: your payment must survive the months before revenue arrives. Borrowing capacity and borrowing wisdom diverge fast at the startup stage.
Also worth knowing: once your business generates even 3–6 months of consistent deposits, your borrowing ceiling rises sharply, because you move from plan-based lending into revenue-based lending.
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Written by
Cody Dreis
Founder, Quordx Capital
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