Key Takeaways
- Bankable funds DACA startups that have begun generating revenue — no citizenship or green card required
- Revenue-based funding means no equity dilution — DACA founders keep 100% ownership
- 12 months of revenue history is the typical threshold — use pre-Bankable time to build that track record
- SBA startup loans now closed to DACA founders — Bankable fills the gap with 48-hour decisions
- Your first revenue months are the foundation — Bankable funds the acceleration from there
DACA entrepreneurs start businesses at twice the rate of US citizens their age. This statistic reflects not just entrepreneurial spirit but necessity: DACA recipients often cannot access corporate career tracks that require security clearances, professional licenses tied to citizenship, or employer-sponsored visa sponsorship. Building your own business is often the most reliable path to economic security. Bankable funds that path.
What Bankable Considers a "Startup"
Bankable's startup funding is for businesses that have begun generating revenue — not pre-revenue ideas. We require 12 months of operating history and $15,000+ in monthly revenue as baseline qualifications. A business that has been operating for a year with growing revenue is not a startup in the traditional sense — it is a proven concept that needs growth capital.
If you are truly pre-revenue or in the first 6 months of operations, we recommend:
- Using the next 6-12 months to build revenue history that qualifies for Bankable funding
- Exploring CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) programs that may serve earlier-stage businesses
- Identifying business partners who have existing revenue history that can support a joint application
Startup Funding Use Cases for DACA Entrepreneurs
- Equipment: Purchasing the tools needed to scale from manual to mechanized production
- Hiring: Bringing on the first employee to break through the solo-operator ceiling
- Marketing: Investing in customer acquisition to accelerate revenue growth
- Inventory: Stocking up for a high-demand period that will drive significant revenue
- Space: Moving from a home-based or shared space to a dedicated business location
Early-Stage Startup Requirements
| Factor | Standard |
|---|---|
| Immigration | DACA with EAD + SSN — no citizenship required |
| Revenue | $15,000+ monthly from the business (12+ months) |
| Business Type | All industries — services, product, professional, trades |
| Business Entity | LLC or corporation registered in the US |
| Funding Range | $15K to $500K for early-stage growth capital |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bankable funds businesses with 12+ months of operating history and $15,000+ monthly revenue. Truly pre-revenue startups need to build that track record first. Once you have 12 months of revenue, Bankable is a strong option.
Yes — 12 months minimum with documented revenue. This is the standard that allows Bankable to underwrite based on actual performance rather than projections.
Yes. Bankable's revenue-based funding is non-dilutive — you keep 100% ownership. This is particularly valuable for DACA founders who have faced VC bias due to immigration status.
All industries. Service businesses, product companies, professional services, trades — any legal US business with 12+ months of operating history and $15,000+ monthly revenue qualifies.
Yes. Home-based businesses with documented revenue qualify. We do not require a commercial address — only documented business revenue and a US business entity.
Yes. Bankable funds in all 50 states. Your state's location does not affect eligibility.
Form the LLC before applying — it's a straightforward process through your state's secretary of state office. Operating as a sole proprietor makes underwriting more complex and provides less liability protection.
Yes. A revolving business line of credit is available for established startups (12+ months of revenue). This is often ideal for managing the variable cash flow of a growing early-stage business.
Yes. Tech startups with 12+ months of recurring revenue — SaaS, IT services, software development — qualify for Bankable funding. Revenue-based capital is particularly well-suited to SaaS businesses.
Yes. Leasing your first commercial space — rent deposit, leasehold improvements, furniture and equipment — is a primary startup capital use case.