The threshold
We ask for about three months of business bank statements. That is the practical line between a business that is ready to apply and one that is still getting started. If the business has live deposits, even small ones, the statements show a real operation. If it has none, the best move is to open a business account, run the first sales through it and apply when there is a record.
Startups in the city that named itself the capital of Silicon Valley
Wikipedia reports that San Jose adopted the motto "Capital of Silicon Valley" in 1988 as the technology industry reshaped the city. The word "startup" in that setting often means a venture-backed software company, but most new businesses here are more ordinary: a repair shop, a food business, a contractor, an agency, an online store. Funders that read bank statements do not care about the label. They care whether money is arriving, and how steadily.
What a new file looks like at its best
| Item | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Business-only account | That business and personal cash are separate |
| Regular deposits, even if small | That customers pay and the business is trading |
| No repeated overdrafts | That cash is managed carefully |
| A clear purpose | That the money has a specific job |
Typical first-year cash traps
- Paying for stock before the first big order lands, which leaves a gap that grows with each reorder.
- A deposit-heavy start, where a rush of early sales is followed by a quiet stretch and fixed costs remain.
- Underpricing, where sales rise but margin does not, and borrowing only postpones the problem.
Match the purpose to the product
New businesses often ask for the wrong product. A machine can be financed against itself through equipment financing. Inventory or payroll gaps fit working capital. A defined build-out or hire sometimes suits a term loan. If you are not sure, say what the money is for in the application and let that guide the conversation.
How to describe the purpose
One clear sentence is enough: "Buy $40,000 of inventory ahead of the fall season" or "Add a second delivery van and driver". The sentence tells the reader what the deposits will have to cover, and it lets you test your own plan. If you cannot write the sentence, the plan is not ready, and applying now would not help.
An honest expectation
A business with a short history is read with care because there is less to go on. That is not a judgement on the idea. Owners often strengthen their file by keeping all revenue running through the business account, avoiding overdrafts and applying with a recent month that is representative. We do not promise outcomes in advance.
How to apply
We consider FICO scores of 500 and above, need no tax returns, and use 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. Start here.