You can get a startup business loan with no revenue. Options like SBA microloans, equipment financing, and business lines of credit are specifically designed for early-stage businesses that haven't yet started generating income. Your path to approval will look different than it does for an established business, but it exists.

Every great business has to start somewhere.

The founders of Apple and Amazon launched their business dreams in garages. Samsung began as a grocery store. Coca-Cola originally made its product in jugs and sold the now-famous soda for a nickel a glass at a local pharmacy.

Many businesses start from nothing before becoming something special, and the right startup financing can be the difference between staying in the garage and getting to market.

The good news? Startup business loans exist, even if you have no revenue or a limited credit history. You’ll need to know where to look, what lenders want to see, and which options are actually built for businesses like yours.

What makes startup loans different.

Most traditional small business loans require at least one to two years in business, a minimum annual revenue, and an established business credit history. When you’re just getting started, you don’t have any of those things, which is exactly why most standard loans aren’t available yet.

What you do have is your personal credit history, a business idea (ideally documented in a business plan), and potentially some personal assets or collateral. Startup-friendly lenders use those factors instead of revenue and business history.

The trade-off is real: startup loans often come with higher interest rates and lower loan amounts than traditional (bank or financial institution) financing. This is a consequence of how the traditional lending system is structured, where risk is mitigated with qualification requirements around credit history, minimum revenues, and time in business. More often than not, a traditional bank or credit union will hesitate to approve a loan without these markers, but alternative lenders, online platforms, and nonprofit microlenders will. 

These alternative lending options in turn mitigate risk with higher interest rates, shorter terms, and lower dollar amounts.

So what do you do? If you’re able to wait until your business is generating some revenue, it will open the door to more options and more favorable terms. But if you need capital now, here’s what’s available.

Startup business loan options with no revenue.

SBA Microloans

An SBA microloan is one of the most accessible startup financing options available. The U.S. Small Business Administration provides loans of up to $50,000 through a network of nonprofit and community-based intermediary lenders (these are organizations that specialize in supporting underserved entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses.)

The average SBA microloan is around $16,000, and roughly 24% of all SBA microloans go to startups, or businesses that have been operating for two years or less. That makes the microloan program one of the few government-backed options built specifically for the pre-revenue stage.

Eligibility requirements vary by intermediary lender, but most will review your personal credit score and financial history rather than your business revenue. Some don’t require positive business cash flow at all. A personal guarantee and/or collateral may still be required to secure the loan.

SBA microloans can be used for working capital, inventory, supplies, equipment, or furniture. They cannot be used to pay off existing debt or purchase real estate.

Read our guide to SBA loans for startups for more government-backed funding options. 

Equipment financing

If your startup needs equipment to get off the ground (machinery, vehicles, computers, or medical devices) equipment financing can be a strong option, even with no revenue.

Here’s why it works: the equipment itself serves as collateral on the loan, which significantly reduces the lender’s risk. That means some equipment financing lenders have no minimum monthly revenue requirement and no minimum time in business. Personal credit matters here more than business history, so a solid personal credit score is the primary qualification factor.

One important distinction: equipment financing covers the asset you’re purchasing. If you need broader working capital, this isn’t the right fit. However, for capital-intensive startups, it’s one of the most startup-friendly options available.

Business line of credit

A business line of credit gives you access to a revolving pool of funds you can draw from as needed, making it more flexible than a lump-sum term loan. Some online lenders offer startup lines of credit with more lenient requirements than traditional banks, though you may need at least a few months of operating history or a strong personal credit profile to qualify.

Interest rates on startup lines of credit tend to be higher than established-business products, but the flexibility can be valuable for managing early cash flow gaps.

Read our guide to the pros and cons of a business line of credit for startups.

Online and alternative lenders

Online lenders often have more flexible eligibility criteria than traditional banks. Rather than focusing exclusively on business revenue, many evaluate factors like your personal credit score, industry experience, a co-signer, or collateral. Funding can arrive faster, sometimes within days.

The trade-off is typically higher interest rates. Compare APRs (annual percentage rates) and total repayment costs carefully before committing to any offer.

Eligibility at a glance: What startup lenders actually look for.

Requirement SBA Microloan Equipment financing Business line of credit Online lender
Time in business None required None required Varies (0-6 months) Varies (0-12 months)
Minimum revenue None required None required Varies Varies
Personal credit score 580-620+ typical 600+ typical 550-620+ 600-640+
Collateral May be required Equipment itself Sometimes Sometimes
Personal Guarantee Often required Often required Often required Often required
Business Plan Recommended Not typically Not typically Not typically

Requirements vary by lender. The figures above represent common thresholds, not guarantees of approval.

How to get a startup business loan with no revenue: Step by step.

1. Write a business plan, even if your lender doesn’t require one

When you don’t have revenue or business credit to show, your business plan does the heavy lifting. It tells lenders where your business is going, how you’ll generate income, and how you plan to repay the loan.

A strong business plan includes your market opportunity, financial projections for your first one to two years, your operating costs, and a clear explanation of what you’ll use the loan for. It doesn’t need to be 40 pages. It needs to show that you’ve thought this through.

Read our guide to writing a business plan for a business loan.

2. Check your personal credit score

For startup loans, your personal credit score is often the primary qualification factor. Pull your personal credit report before applying so you know exactly where you stand.

A score of 620 or above opens most startup-friendly doors. A score below 580 limits your options and typically results in higher interest rates. If your personal credit score needs work, taking 60 to 90 days to strengthen it before applying may save you significantly in interest costs over the life of the loan.

3. Determine how much you actually need

Be specific. Lenders are more likely to approve a clearly justified loan amount than a round number with no supporting logic. Work through your startup costs: equipment, inventory, first-month operating expenses, working capital reserve, and arrive at a precise figure.

Different lenders specialize in different loan sizes. An SBA microloan intermediary is the right place for a $15,000 need; an online lender may be better suited for $50,000 to $150,000. Knowing your number helps you target the right lender from the start.

4. Identify what collateral or personal guarantees you can offer

Most startup loans require either collateral (an asset the lender can claim if you default) or a personal guarantee (your personal commitment to repay even if the business doesn’t), or both. Knowing what you can offer before you apply speeds up the process and sets realistic expectations.

Common forms of collateral include equipment being purchased, business inventory, or personal assets. If you’re offering a personal guarantee, understand clearly what that means: your personal finances are on the line if the business is unable to repay.

5. Gather your documentation

Even without business financials, lenders need documentation. Typical requirements for startup loans include:

  • Personal tax returns (last 1–2 years)
  • Personal bank statements
  • Government-issued ID
  • Business formation documents (LLC operating agreement, articles of incorporation)
  • Business license or registration
  • Business plan with financial projections
  • Proof of any collateral

Requirements vary by lender, so check what’s needed before you apply to avoid delays. Read our guide to getting loan ready before you apply.

6. Compare multiple lenders before you commit

Don’t apply to the first lender you find. Compare at least two to three options across loan amount, APR, repayment term, fees, and eligibility requirements. This is where a loan marketplace like Lendio can really help, by showing multiple offers in one place. This can save you some guesswork and lots of time spent applying individually. 

7. Apply and follow up promptly

Once you’ve selected a lender, submit a complete application. Incomplete applications are a common source of delays. Respond quickly to any requests for additional documentation, especially with the SBA microloan program, where the process can take several weeks.

Alternative financing options for startups with no revenue.

Traditional loans aren’t the only path to startup capital. Here are a few alternatives worth knowing about.

  • Crowdfunding: Platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo let you raise money from multiple small contributors. Depending on the model, you can seek donations (donor-based crowdfunding), pre-sell your product (reward-based crowdfunding), offer equity stakes to investors (equity crowdfunding), or take on small-dollar loans from many lenders (debt crowdfunding).
  • Business credit cards: A business credit card can cover short-term expenses and help you build business credit from day one. Some options are available to startups with limited or no business credit history, especially if your personal credit is solid. Secured business credit cards are available for business owners with little or no credit history.
  • Small business grants: Grants are non-repayable funding from government agencies, nonprofits, or private organizations. They’re competitive and often targeted towards specific industries, demographics, or locations. For the right business, grants can be a powerful source of startup capital. Check Grants.gov and your state's small business development office for current opportunities.
  • Friends and family: According to Gallup, 77% of small business owners use personal savings as a source of initial capital. Some also turn to friends and family for early-stage funding. If you go this route, treat it like a formal arrangement: document the terms, agree on a repayment schedule, and be honest about the risks involved. 

Summary and key takeaways.

Getting a startup business loan with no revenue is harder than financing an established business, but options do exist. SBA microloans, equipment financing, and certain online lenders are built for exactly this stage. 

The keys are knowing where to apply, showing up with a strong personal credit profile and a clear business plan, and understanding what you can offer as collateral or guarantee.

When you’re ready to explore your options, Lendio’s lending marketplace lets you compare loan types and lenders in one place, so you can make an informed decision about what makes sense for your business right now.