Funding a young business is a chicken-and-egg problem: funders want history you don't have yet. But the door isn't closed — equipment financing, revenue-based financing, and starter advances all fund newer businesses if you reach the right funder. Each one's startup criteria differ. Here's how to find the funders that fund startups.
Why one funder won't fund your startup
Most funders build their box around established businesses — two years in, strong credit, steady history. A startup falls outside it automatically. But a subset of funders specialize in newer businesses, underwriting on recent revenue or collateral instead of years of history. The trouble is knowing which ones — and a single application to the wrong funder just gets you declined.
One funder = built for established
Their box wants two years and strong credit. As a startup, you're an automatic no — no matter how strong your early revenue looks.
the right funders = startup-friendly ones too
We route your file to the funders that fund 6-month businesses on revenue or equipment — and negotiate the best terms a startup can get.
Going to one funder vs. The Broker Shop
| What matters | Going to one funder | The Broker Shop |
|---|---|---|
| Time in business required | Often 2+ years | Funders that fund 6+ months — some less |
| Underwrites on | Years of history | Recent revenue, equipment, or personal credit |
| If you're too new | Declined | Routed to a startup-friendly funder |
| Who negotiates | No one | We do, across the right funders |
| Cost to you | Varies | $0 — the funder pays our fee |
Newer businesses get funded — at the right funder
Once you've crossed 6 months in business with $10K+ monthly revenue, a real set of funders will fund you. Under 6 months, equipment financing and business credit cards still work. The key is reaching the funders built for your stage instead of the ones built to decline you.
The Broker Shop matches your file to the funders whose guidelines you meet, finds the startup-friendly ones, and negotiates the best terms available. One application, funded fast, free to you.
Find a Funder for My Stage →What actually determines your cost
For startup funding, these factors decide what you can get:
- Months in business — 6 months is the key threshold; more unlocks more.
- Monthly revenue — $10K+ in consistent deposits opens most startup-friendly funders.
- Personal credit — matters more early; 500+ for MCAs, higher for better terms.
- How the right funders — one box vs. 50+ including startup specialists.
- Whether anyone negotiates — a broker improves a startup's limited leverage.
See our startup loans with no money down guide, or funding requirements.