What counts as "startup" for us
We do not fund an idea. We ask for about three months of business bank statements, so a startup is a company that is already trading, even briefly, and has real deposits to show. If your business has no account activity yet, the honest answer is that you are not ready for this product, and building a short track record is the first step.
The San Francisco backdrop
San Francisco has been a city of new businesses since the 1849 gold rush, which Wikipedia says made it the largest city on the West Coast at the time. Today the city is described as having leading universities and strong high-tech, healthcare, finance and professional services sectors. That mix means a startup might be a two-person design shop, a food concept sharing a commissary kitchen, a clinic opening a second chair, or a software-adjacent services firm.
What a young business should put in front of a funder
| Item | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Three months of business bank statements | Shows real deposits and spending patterns |
| A separate business account | Keeps personal spending out of the picture |
| A one-line purpose for the money | Shows the funds have a defined job |
| Notes on unusual months | Explains a launch spike or a slow start |
Common first mistakes
- Mixing accounts. If personal and business spending share one account, the statements say little about the business.
- Applying in the quietest week. A launch month with unusual refunds can look worse than the business really is; add a short note explaining it.
- Asking for a number with no purpose. A funder looks for a defined job for the money, such as stock, a build-out or two hires.
Matching the product to the stage
Early businesses often reach for the wrong tool. Equipment that makes the product can be financed against the equipment. Inventory and payroll gaps usually belong under working capital. A company with revenue that varies a lot from month to month might compare revenue-based financing. Whatever the fit, say in the application which of these the money is for, because it shapes how the statements are read.
A realistic expectation
A young business with a short history will usually be read cautiously, because there is less to go on. That is not a verdict on the idea. Many owners strengthen the file simply by waiting a few more weeks, keeping deposits flowing through the business account and avoiding overdrafts. We do not promise any outcome in advance, but a clean, recent record is the best thing a startup can bring.
How to apply
We consider FICO scores of 500 and above, need no tax returns, and run a soft credit pull on a five-minute application. Funding runs from $25,000 to $5,000,000 and can arrive in as little as 24 hours. Sole proprietors can apply. Owners with weaker credit can also read about bad-credit options in San Francisco. Start here.