Most owners asking "do I qualify" are really asking "is it worth my time to apply." For an operating business with regular deposits, it usually is. The application is one online form, there is no obligation to accept an offer, and checking your options does not affect your personal credit score.
The four things reviewed
| What is reviewed | Why it matters | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Business bank deposits | Most cash-flow products are sized against what actually moves through the account, not against a stated revenue figure. | Consistent monthly deposits; a dedicated business account rather than mixed personal use. |
| Time in business | Longer operating history gives more data to size an offer against. | Filed formation documents and an account history that matches. |
| Credit history | One factor among several, not a gate on its own. | Explaining a past issue up front is better than leaving it to be found. |
| The deal itself | This is the part most funding applications ignore and the part that matters most here. | The supplier quote, purchase order, auction listing or lease offer, plus what the goods sell for. |
Who is eligible
- Operating businesses in the United States
- Sole proprietors, LLCs, corporations and partnerships
- At least 50% ownership by the person applying
- A business bank account with regular deposits
Non-profits are not eligible. Pre-revenue startups with no operating history and no deposits generally are not a fit either, because there is nothing to size an offer against.
What makes an application stronger
- Send everything at once. Partial documents are the single most common reason a review stalls past a deadline.
- Describe the deal in plain terms: what you are buying, from whom, the price, the normal price, and when payment is due.
- Show how the goods turn into revenue and when. A payment schedule that starts before inventory arrives strains cash even on a good deal.
- Apply while you are still negotiating. You are not committed by applying, and it means you are not starting from zero when the supplier sets a deadline.
More detail on presenting a deal is in how to present a deal to a funder, and the full list is in the documents checklist.
What we will tell you straight
If the cost of funding is larger than the margin on the deal, the deal is not worth funding. That comes up most often on thin-margin reorders with slow sell-through. We will say so rather than place it.
Common questions
Is there a minimum credit score?
No single cutoff is published. Credit is one factor among several, alongside deposits, time in business and the deal itself. A newer credit file does not automatically rule a business out.
Do sole proprietors qualify?
Yes. Sole proprietors are eligible. Non-profits are not, and at least 50% ownership is required to apply.
Does applying affect my credit score?
Checking your options does not affect your personal credit score.
What documents do I need?
Recent business bank statements, a government-issued ID and a voided business check. For an opportunity, add the supplier quote, purchase order, auction listing or lease offer.