https://fundingfastlane.com/guides/Recent content in Funding guides on Funding FastlaneHugoen-UShttps://fundingfastlane.com/guides/mca-vs-line-of-credit/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://fundingfastlane.com/guides/mca-vs-line-of-credit/<h2 id="the-same-50000-two-bills">The same $50,000, two bills</h2> <table> <thead> <tr> <th></th> <th>Revenue-based advance</th> <th>Line of credit</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>Quote</td> <td>factor rate 1.30</td> <td>25% APR</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Payback of $50k over 8 months</td> <td>$65,000</td> <td>~$54,500</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Cost</td> <td>$15,000</td> <td>~$4,500</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Effective APR</td> <td>~90%</td> <td>25%</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Reusable?</td> <td>No, reapply each time</td> <td>Yes, revolving</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Speed</td> <td>24–72 hours</td> <td>1–7 days (online), weeks (bank)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Minimum credit</td> <td>~500</td> <td>~600</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Payment</td> <td>fixed daily/weekly debit</td> <td>interest on what you draw</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Early payoff</td> <td>rarely saves money</td> <td>always saves money</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>Run your own quote through the <a href="https://fundingfastlane.com/calculators/mca-cost/">advance calculator</a>.</p>https://fundingfastlane.com/guides/business-loan-bad-credit/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://fundingfastlane.com/guides/business-loan-bad-credit/<h2 id="what-approves-under-600">What approves under 600</h2> <table> <thead> <tr> <th>Product</th> <th>Realistic floor</th> <th>Why they say yes</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td><a href="https://fundingfastlane.com/funding/merchant-cash-advance/">Revenue-based advance</a></td> <td>~500</td> <td>underwritten on deposits, not credit</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="https://fundingfastlane.com/funding/equipment-financing/">Equipment financing</a></td> <td>~550 with 10–20% down</td> <td>the equipment is collateral</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="https://fundingfastlane.com/funding/invoice-factoring/">Invoice factoring</a></td> <td>your credit barely matters</td> <td>underwritten on your customers</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Secured business card or line</td> <td>any, with a deposit</td> <td>your cash is the collateral</td> </tr> <tr> <td>CDFI / microloan</td> <td>550–600</td> <td>mission lenders, human underwriting</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Personal loan with a cosigner</td> <td>depends on cosigner</td> <td>not business credit at all</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h2 id="what-does-not-approve">What does not approve</h2> <p>SBA loans, bank lines, and most online term loans. Do not burn hard inquiries applying; the decline is predictable.</p>https://fundingfastlane.com/guides/funding-under-one-year/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://fundingfastlane.com/guides/funding-under-one-year/<h2 id="the-timeline-lenders-actually-use">The timeline lenders actually use</h2> <table> <thead> <tr> <th>Age of business</th> <th>What realistically approves</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td><strong>0–3 months</strong></td> <td><a href="https://fundingfastlane.com/funding/business-credit-cards/">0% intro business cards</a> (on personal credit), personal loans, friends and family, <a href="https://fundingfastlane.com/grants/">grants and pitch competitions</a>, crowdfunding, SBA microloans via nonprofits</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>3–6 months</strong></td> <td>The above, plus <a href="https://fundingfastlane.com/funding/merchant-cash-advance/">revenue-based advances</a> if deposits are $10k+/month, and <a href="https://fundingfastlane.com/funding/equipment-financing/">equipment financing</a> with a down payment</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>6–12 months</strong></td> <td>Online <a href="https://fundingfastlane.com/funding/business-line-of-credit/">lines of credit</a> at some lenders, <a href="https://fundingfastlane.com/funding/invoice-factoring/">invoice factoring</a> for B2B, CDFI loans</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>12–24 months</strong></td> <td>Online <a href="https://fundingfastlane.com/funding/term-loans/">term loans</a>, larger lines, most equipment lenders with no money down</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>24+ months</strong></td> <td>Bank lines and loans, <a href="https://fundingfastlane.com/funding/sba-loans/">SBA 7(a)</a>, the cheapest money available</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>Full breakdown on the <a href="https://fundingfastlane.com/funding/startup-funding/">startup funding</a> page.</p>https://fundingfastlane.com/guides/are-business-grants-real/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://fundingfastlane.com/guides/are-business-grants-real/<h2 id="what-is-real">What is real</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Federal mission grants</strong>: SBIR/STTR for R&amp;D, STEP for exporters, USDA for rural businesses. Real, large, and narrow. See <a href="https://fundingfastlane.com/grants/federal-grants/">federal grants</a>.</li> <li><strong>State and local programs</strong>: façade improvements, job creation, energy rebates, recovery funds. Real, smaller, and the best odds for Main Street. See <a href="https://fundingfastlane.com/grants/state-and-local/">state and local</a>.</li> <li><strong>Corporate and foundation grants</strong>: FedEx, Amber Grant, Comcast RISE and dozens more. Real, competitive, fast to apply for. See <a href="https://fundingfastlane.com/grants/private-grants/">private grants</a>.</li> <li><strong>Demographic programs</strong>: for <a href="https://fundingfastlane.com/grants/women-owned/">women</a>, <a href="https://fundingfastlane.com/grants/minority-owned/">minority</a> and <a href="https://fundingfastlane.com/grants/veteran-owned/">veteran</a> owners. Real, often paired with certification that unlocks contracts worth far more.</li> </ul> <h2 id="what-is-not-real">What is not real</h2> <ul> <li>Free government money to start or grow any business.</li> <li>Grants that require a fee to release.</li> <li>&ldquo;Pre-approved&rdquo; grant calls, texts or DMs.</li> <li>Guaranteed grant lists sold for $99.</li> </ul> <p>Full checklist: <a href="https://fundingfastlane.com/grants/avoid-scams/">how to spot grant scams</a>.</p>