How To Apply For Government Funding For Small Business
When you ask how to apply for government funding for a small business, the most useful first step is correcting a common assumption: you don't apply to the government for a loan. The SBA backs loans made by private lenders, so you apply through one of those lenders, with the federal guarantee earning you longer terms and rates near 9-11.5% APR. True grants are separate, narrow, and competitive. Quordx Capital points you to SBA-experienced lenders in our 50+ network and to faster options when the timeline matters. Free to apply, decisions in 24-48 hours.
Last updated · Reviewed by Cody Dreis
50+ Lenders|Funding in as little as 24 hours
How the Application Process Actually Works
For an SBA-backed loan, you apply to an approved lender, not a government office, with financials, a business plan, and documentation. The lender underwrites and, with the SBA guarantee in place (often covering 75-85% of the loan), can approve terms a conventional loan wouldn't allow. Expect 2+ years in business, solid revenue, and reasonable credit.
Grants require separate applications through specific programs and rarely fit everyday operating needs, they're typically tied to research, exports, or targeted initiatives. We focus on funding you can realistically secure rather than long-shot grant chasing.
Which Funding Options Fit?
SBA 7(a) Loan: Up to $5M, long terms, strong rates near 9-11.5% APR. Best for established businesses that can wait through underwriting.
SBA Express: Faster SBA variant with quicker decisions, typically smaller amounts. Best for owners wanting government backing with less delay.
Term Loan: $10K, $500K+ with fast funding. Best when you can't wait for SBA timelines and need capital in days.
Apply for Funding
No obligation · Initial inquiry doesn't impact credit · Takes about 10 minutes
Written by
Cody Dreis
Founder, Quordx Capital
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Important Disclosures
Quordx Capital is a business funding broker, not a lender. We facilitate introductions between U.S. small and medium-sized businesses and lenders or capital providers in our network. All credit decisions, funding amounts, rates, fees, repayment terms, and timelines are determined solely by individual lenders based on their own underwriting criteria.
Funding figures and timelines shown on this page are illustrative and represent ranges within our lender network, they are not guarantees and individual outcomes may vary based on business profile, industry, time in business, revenue, credit history, and lender availability. Not all applicants qualify for every product.
The initial inquiry does not impact your personal credit score. Some lenders may perform a hard credit pull during underwriting; Quordx only authorizes such checks with your specific consent for the lender presenting an offer. Applicants are protected under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or because all or part of an applicant's income derives from any public-assistance program.
This Site is intended for commercial, business-purpose financing for U.S. businesses only. Not available for consumer loans, residential mortgages, or owner-occupied real estate. Quordx may receive compensation from lenders when applications result in funded transactions. This does not change the rate, fee, or terms offered to you. See our Advertiser Disclosure for details.
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