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Business Loans For Women

In the US, women-owned firms account for nearly 12 million privately-held businesses. According to numerous reports and studies, however, women-owned businesses are less likely to be approved for business loans — and when they are approved, they have to pay higher interest rates on average.

 

SBA 8(a) Program

The SBA’s 8(a) program sets aside resources to help small, disadvantaged businesses — including women-owned enterprises. SBA 8(a) doesn’t issue loans, but having 8(a) status makes acquiring 7(a) loans and Express loans much easier.

Your business must meet the following criteria to qualify for 8(a).

 

  • Be a small, for-profit business in accordance with the NAICS
  • 51% of firm ownership must be US citizens who are economically and socially disadvantaged (in this case, be 51% women-owned)
  • Applicant must have a personal net worth of $250,000 or less and total assets with a combined fair market value of $4 million or less
  • Applicant must have adjusted gross income of $250,000 or less for each of the past three years
  • The business and owners must be of good character
  • Demonstrate long-term success and the ability to perform successfully on contracts

If you meet these criteria, you can apply for SBA 8(a) certification at the SBA’s website. The documentation you’ll need to gather depends on your business structure. Once approved, it’ll be easier to apply for and get 7(a) small business funding.

 

SBA Community Advantage Program

Like the 8(a) program, the SBA Community Advantage doesn’t lend money directly. It instead helps business owners within underserved communities — including women — acquire financing of up to $250,000 for their businesses.

The loans themselves are made by participating local non-profit organizations. Per SBA regulation, these lenders cannot charge an interest rate greater than the Prime Rate + 6%.

 

SBA Microloans

SBA Microloans are good options for sole proprietors and businesses with small operations. Outside lenders make microloans — the SBA just facilitates the process.

Loans can be up to $50,000, but they come with higher interest rates and shorter term lengths. Additionally, they may require strong credit and collateral.

 

Alternatives to Business Loans For Women

Loans aren’t your only source of financing your business. Grants are an excellent option, as you don’t have to pay them back. You can obtain women-owned business grants from a variety of federal, state, and private programs. Keep in mind that grants have strict requirements.

Equity financing is another potential source of capital. Investors fcan be a big help, but finding  venture capital firms and angel investors who want to invest your business isn’t easy.

 

Summary

There aren’t business loans designed solely for women, but many existing lenders have loans and programs that can support women entrepreneurs in financing their business pursuits. At Fundvisor, we take time to understand your business, then arrange for the best source of financing given your situation.

 

Helpful Tips & Information

The Pros and Cons of SBA Loans

Are you eligible for a better rate? Loan TypeTerm LoansSBA LendingLine Of CreditAsset Based LendingCommercial Real State MortgagesEquipment FinanceHedge Fund CapitalRoyalty Capital FundingSaas CapitalYearly RevenueUnder $100,000$100,000 - $250,000$250,000 - $500,000$500,000 - $750,000$750,000 - $1,000,000$1,000,000 - $2,000,000$2,000,000 - $3,000,000$900,000 And Above$3,000,000 And AboveTime in Business2 or more years1-2 years6 months - 1 yearStarting a businessCredit ScoreExcellent (720+)Good (680-719)Fair (640-679)Poor (639 or less) First NameLast NameEmail The Pros and Cons of SBA LoansSmall Business Administration (SBA loans) are loans backed by the Small Business Administration. The SBA doesn’t lend the money; banks and other lenders do that. The SBA simply guarantees a large portion of each loan to reduce the lender’s risk. Types of SBA Loans There are several SBA loan types. SBA 7(a): The main type of SBA loan. You can borrow up to $5 million in 7(a) loans. SBA Express: A smaller 7(a) loan with a faster approval process. SBA 504: Designed for acquiring fixed assets. CAPLines: An SBA line of credit. There are several types of CAPLines, each for a different purpose. Export Working Capital: Used to fund operations related to export sales. Export Express: A faster turnaround version of the Export Working Capital loan. Microloans: Small loans designed [...]

The Pros and Cons of Term Loans

Are you eligible for a better rate? Loan TypeTerm LoansSBA LendingLine Of CreditAsset Based LendingCommercial Real State MortgagesEquipment FinanceHedge Fund CapitalRoyalty Capital FundingSaas CapitalYearly RevenueUnder $100,000$100,000 - $250,000$250,000 - $500,000$500,000 - $750,000$750,000 - $1,000,000$1,000,000 - $2,000,000$2,000,000 - $3,000,000$900,000 And Above$3,000,000 And AboveTime in Business2 or more years1-2 years6 months - 1 yearStarting a businessCredit ScoreExcellent (720+)Good (680-719)Fair (640-679)Poor (639 or less) First NameLast NameEmail The Pros and Cons of Term LoansTerm loans are much like a personal loan. You take out a fixed sum of money at a specified interest rate — either fixed or variable — and then repay the loan amount in monthly installments. Many businesses can make great use of term loans, but they certainly aren’t for everyone. Our goal at Fundvisor is to ensure you get the best funding vehicle for your business. Of course, you’re likely too busy running your business to spend hours researching term loan details and jargon.  To that end, we’ve compiled a list of the pros and cons of term loans. If you feel that a term loan could be right for you, please reach out to us.  The Pros of Term Loans Large Amounts Available Term loans have long repayment [...]

The Pros and Cons of Lines of Credit

Are you eligible for a better rate? Loan TypeTerm LoansSBA LendingLine Of CreditAsset Based LendingCommercial Real State MortgagesEquipment FinanceHedge Fund CapitalRoyalty Capital FundingSaas CapitalYearly RevenueUnder $100,000$100,000 - $250,000$250,000 - $500,000$500,000 - $750,000$750,000 - $1,000,000$1,000,000 - $2,000,000$2,000,000 - $3,000,000$900,000 And Above$3,000,000 And AboveTime in Business2 or more years1-2 years6 months - 1 yearStarting a businessCredit ScoreExcellent (720+)Good (680-719)Fair (640-679)Poor (639 or less) First NameLast NameEmail The Pros and Cons of Lines of CreditSometimes, your business is short on cash right when you need it most. It might be that a supplier is selling inventory at a discount, and you want to take advantage. Perhaps you have a potentially lucrative project sitting in front of you. Or maybe you need emergency cash to repair or replace old equipment. A business line of credit is an excellent solution for any of these situations. They work like credit cards. You can borrow up to a specified limit whenever you want. You then must make at least the defined minimum payment each month — although you should strive to pay it off in full to avoid interest. At Fundvisor, we’ve helped many small business secure lines of credit that have helped them grow. However, we [...]

The Pros and Cons of Commercial Real Estate Mortgages

Are you eligible for a better rate? Loan TypeTerm LoansSBA LendingLine Of CreditAsset Based LendingCommercial Real State MortgagesEquipment FinanceHedge Fund CapitalRoyalty Capital FundingSaas CapitalYearly RevenueUnder $100,000$100,000 - $250,000$250,000 - $500,000$500,000 - $750,000$750,000 - $1,000,000$1,000,000 - $2,000,000$2,000,000 - $3,000,000$900,000 And Above$3,000,000 And AboveTime in Business2 or more years1-2 years6 months - 1 yearStarting a businessCredit ScoreExcellent (720+)Good (680-719)Fair (640-679)Poor (639 or less) First NameLast NameEmail The Pros and Cons of Commercial Real Estate MortgagesBusiness is booming. You have strong cash flows, and you’re looking to expand. Whether you’re seeking new office space, a warehouse, or refurbishing an existing building, a commercial real estate loan may be your ideal funding vehicle. But finding the right new piece of real estate is hard enough without trying to understand the complicated commercial lending world.  You can rely on the commercial real estate mortgage experts at Fundvisor. We’ll clear up the complexities of commercial lending and find the right funding source for you — after all, your time is best spent on business operations. We strive to ensure all of our clients are informed borrowers, so we’ve explained the pros and cons of commercial real estate mortgages below. Don’t hesitate to call us if you’re [...]

The Pros and Cons of Equipment Financing

Are you eligible for a better rate? Loan TypeTerm LoansSBA LendingLine Of CreditAsset Based LendingCommercial Real State MortgagesEquipment FinanceHedge Fund CapitalRoyalty Capital FundingSaas CapitalYearly RevenueUnder $100,000$100,000 - $250,000$250,000 - $500,000$500,000 - $750,000$750,000 - $1,000,000$1,000,000 - $2,000,000$2,000,000 - $3,000,000$900,000 And Above$3,000,000 And AboveTime in Business2 or more years1-2 years6 months - 1 yearStarting a businessCredit ScoreExcellent (720+)Good (680-719)Fair (640-679)Poor (639 or less) First NameLast NameEmail The Pros and Cons of Equipment FinancingEvery business needs equipment to operate, let alone grow. Copiers, computers, desks, machinery, trucks, and appliances are just a few examples across many industries. As a small business, however, saving enough cash to buy or repair equipment outright can take years. That’s years of foregone growth. Expensive short-term debt isn’t your only answer, though. Equipment financing offers you an affordable way to purchase, repair, upgrade, or refinance your business’s equipment. At Fundvisor, we examine your balance sheet and recommend equipment financing based on your situation. Before we work together, we urge you to read about the benefits and drawbacks of equipment financing so you can be an informed borrower. Contact us if you think equipment financing is right for you. The Pros of Equipment Financing Predictable Payments Like many loans, [...]

The Pros and Cons of Hedge Fund Capital

Are you eligible for a better rate? Loan TypeTerm LoansSBA LendingLine Of CreditAsset Based LendingCommercial Real State MortgagesEquipment FinanceHedge Fund CapitalRoyalty Capital FundingSaas CapitalYearly RevenueUnder $100,000$100,000 - $250,000$250,000 - $500,000$500,000 - $750,000$750,000 - $1,000,000$1,000,000 - $2,000,000$2,000,000 - $3,000,000$900,000 And Above$3,000,000 And AboveTime in Business2 or more years1-2 years6 months - 1 yearStarting a businessCredit ScoreExcellent (720+)Good (680-719)Fair (640-679)Poor (639 or less) First NameLast NameEmail The Pros and Cons of Hedge Fund CapitalSince you’re busy running your business, you may not realize the full spectrum of financing opportunities available to you. You may have heard of credit lines, term loans, SBA loans, and other conventional funding vehicles. However, you may not want to pursue these “traditional” loans — or you might be shut out of them due to falling short of lending standards. That’s where hedge fund capital comes in. Hedge funds consist of high-net-worth investors seeking specific investment opportunities with higher potential returns than traditional investments (such as publicly-traded stocks and bonds). Your small business may be able to attract the investment it needs from a hedge fund if you can demonstrate future earning potential.  Fundvisor has a strong understanding of hedge funds, and we’re able to connect you with [...]

The Pros and Cons of Royalty Capital Funding

Are you eligible for a better rate? Loan TypeTerm LoansSBA LendingLine Of CreditAsset Based LendingCommercial Real State MortgagesEquipment FinanceHedge Fund CapitalRoyalty Capital FundingSaas CapitalYearly RevenueUnder $100,000$100,000 - $250,000$250,000 - $500,000$500,000 - $750,000$750,000 - $1,000,000$1,000,000 - $2,000,000$2,000,000 - $3,000,000$900,000 And Above$3,000,000 And AboveTime in Business2 or more years1-2 years6 months - 1 yearStarting a businessCredit ScoreExcellent (720+)Good (680-719)Fair (640-679)Poor (639 or less) First NameLast NameEmail The Pros and Cons of Royalty Capital FundingTraditional lending solutions don’t work for some businesses. Perhaps the company doesn’t meet the underwriting standards. Or maybe they do, but they can’t negotiate the terms that they want. If that sounds like your situation, you shouldn’t try to make it work. Instead, you can seek out alternative funding sources like royalty capital. Royalty capital funding is a financing method where you get capital in exchange for a slice of your future revenues.  Of course, you’ll want to talk with an expert before you pursue royalty capital — both to understand if it’s right for your business and find lenders offering it. Fundvisor can examine your financial situation and determine if royalty capital funding suits your business. We also recommend reading our royalty funding pros and cons list below [...]

The Pros and Cons of SaaS Capital

Are you eligible for a better rate? Loan TypeTerm LoansSBA LendingLine Of CreditAsset Based LendingCommercial Real State MortgagesEquipment FinanceHedge Fund CapitalRoyalty Capital FundingSaas CapitalYearly RevenueUnder $100,000$100,000 - $250,000$250,000 - $500,000$500,000 - $750,000$750,000 - $1,000,000$1,000,000 - $2,000,000$2,000,000 - $3,000,000$900,000 And Above$3,000,000 And AboveTime in Business2 or more years1-2 years6 months - 1 yearStarting a businessCredit ScoreExcellent (720+)Good (680-719)Fair (640-679)Poor (639 or less) First NameLast NameEmail The Pros and Cons of SaaS CapitalThe software industry is fast moving away from one-off purchases into subscription-based models. This shift is helping software companies stabilize revenues with recurring income while driving down manufacturing/distribution costs.  Plus, customers benefit from flexibility (they can pay less up front and cancel before costs eclipse an equivalent one-time purchase) and automatic updates as the software evolves. Although your SaaS company might offer an excellent product delivered almost entirely online, there’s room for more growth in this exciting space. Saas capital funding could be your ticket to this growth. Fundvisor USA can help you determine for sure if that’s the case. Below are the pros and cons of Saas capital so you can be as informed as possible when working with us. The Pros of SaaS Capital You’re Attractive to Investors [...]