A fixed amount over a defined period, usually three to eighteen months. Cheaper than an advance, stricter on credit.
Between a working capital advance and a term loan. You get a fixed sum, a fixed payment, and a defined end date — which makes the cost far easier to reason about than a factor rate. In exchange, underwriting is tighter than an advance: expect a closer look at credit and deposit consistency.
A gap with a known shape. A seasonal business bridging to its busy quarter. A contractor covering materials until a progress payment lands. A company waiting on a receivable it's confident about. The common thread is that you can name what closes the gap and roughly when.
Write down the specific event that repays it and the date you expect it. If you can't — if the answer is "things should pick up" — the loan isn't bridging a gap, it's funding a hope, and a fixed payment against uncertain revenue is how businesses get into trouble.
| Time in business | 6+ months |
| Monthly revenue | $15k+ |
| Credit | 550+ |
| Term | 3–18 months |
| Typical cost | ~20–50% APR |
| Speed to funding | 2–7 days |
These are typical floors, not offers. Lenders vary.
Answer four questions and see which funding options fit your business — and the criteria behind each one.