Key Takeaways
- E-2 graphic design and creative agency owners with retainer and project revenue qualify for Bankable funding
- Design workstation upgrades, team expansion, and software licensing are all eligible uses
- Brazilian, Italian, Japanese, and Korean E-2 holders operate successful US design agencies
- Client retainers are the strongest revenue type for design agency underwriting
- Funding from $100K to $3M with 48-hour preliminary decisions
Graphic design and creative agencies have a long history as E-2 visa investments, particularly from countries with strong design traditions. Brazilian design firms (Brazil is one of the world’s most design-conscious cultures) establish US agencies serving Latin American brands entering the US market as well as domestic US clients. Italian design studios bring European aesthetic traditions to US branding projects. Japanese graphic designers establish studios that serve both Japanese brands with US presence and American clients seeking a refined, minimalist approach. Korean design agencies serve K-beauty, K-food, and other Korean brands building US distribution.
Design agency revenue flows from three sources: brand retainers (monthly fixed-fee design support), project billing (brand identity, packaging, campaigns), and production management (overseeing print and digital production for client work). All three are invoice-based and well-documented. Bankable evaluates the retainer portion most favorably due to its predictability, which is why growing design agencies should aim to convert project clients to retainer relationships before applying.
Design Agency Capital Uses
- Design workstations: Mac Pros, iPad Pros, Wacom tablets, and color-calibrated displays
- Software licensing: Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, 3D tools, and specialized design platforms
- Team expansion: Senior designers, junior designers, and project managers to grow client capacity
- Studio buildout: Office space, photography mini-studio, and client presentation facilities
- Business development: Portfolio development, award submissions, and conference presence
Working Capital Line
Revolving access for payroll and software costs during client growth phases.
Learn More →Revenue-Based Funding
Non-dilutive capital based on retainer and project revenue. Scale your agency faster.
Apply Now →Marketing Agency Funding
Related capital for marketing agencies with design capabilities.
Learn More →Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. E-2 design agency owners with documented retainer and project revenue qualify for Bankable funding. No green card required.
Graphic design studios, branding agencies, UI/UX firms, packaging design companies, and visual communication agencies with documented client revenue.
We accept signed client contracts, retainer agreements, invoice aging reports, and bank statements showing client payment deposits.
Yes. Design team expansion to serve more clients is the most common Bankable use for growing agencies.
Most Bankable design agency clients have $300K+ in annual revenue. Agencies with 5+ active retainer clients typically qualify.
Yes. Annual software licensing costs (Adobe CC, Figma, etc.) are eligible working capital uses.
Yes. UI/UX design firms with documented client project and retainer revenue qualify on the same basis as graphic design studios.
Yes. A second office or studio location funded by your existing client revenue is an eligible use.