Key Takeaways
- Graphic design agencies with retainer clients qualify for Bankable funding
- SBA professional services loans unavailable to E-3 holders
- Retainer and project-based revenue both evaluated in underwriting
- Team expansion, tools, and business development all fundable
- 48-hour decisions up to $1M
Australian graphic design is internationally recognized — Australian design studios and individual designers have won Cannes Lions, D&AD pencils, and ADC awards. The Australian design sensibility — clean, purposeful, sophisticated — is particularly valued in US brand design and identity work.
Design agency capital needs are primarily operational: senior designer salaries, software subscriptions, and working capital to bridge project billing gaps. Bankable funds design businesses on retainer and project revenue — no SBA, no green card requirement.
The E-3 Funding Barrier
The SBA's 100% citizen/national ownership rule disqualifies every E-3 holder from government-backed loans — regardless of how long you've been in the US, how profitable your business is, or how strong your credit score is. Banks that primarily originate SBA loans have no viable product to offer you. That's not a reflection of your business quality; it's a policy gap that Bankable was built to bridge.
Revenue-based funding through Bankable requires no green card, no citizenship, and no SBA involvement. What matters: your business generates consistent revenue, has been operating for at least 6 months, and has a US business bank account. That's the core of what we evaluate. Check your Bankability Score to see your options in minutes.
Challenges in This Sector
- Senior designer and art director salaries are substantial in US markets
- Creative software subscriptions (Adobe, Figma, Sketch) add up across team members
- Retainer contract building requires portfolio investment and pitching
- Project revenue is lumpy — large identity projects followed by delivery periods
- Print production and vendor coordination requires working capital management
- Equipment (Mac Pro, high-resolution displays, colour calibration) is expensive
Funding Solutions for E-3 Holders
- Working Capital: Fund designer payroll between project billing cycles.
- Equipment Financing: Mac Pro, display, and creative production equipment.
- Retainer Client Acquisition: Fund pitch and portfolio investment to win retainer relationships.
- Team Expansion: Hire additional designers as project pipeline grows.
- Print Production Capital: Working capital for large print and production runs.
Design Agency Revenue Profile
A design agency with 5 retainer clients at $8K/month average generates $40K/month in predictable recurring revenue. Project-based brand identity work adds upside. A mid-sized design studio in a major US city generating $30K+/month across retainers and projects is a solid Bankable candidate.
Capital Products Available
Revenue-Based Funding
Up to $5M based on your monthly revenue. No green card, no SBA. 48-hour decisions.
Apply Now →Equipment Financing
Asset-backed funding for equipment — available to non-citizen business owners.
Check Eligibility →Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Design agency ownership is not restricted by E-3 status.
Brand identity agencies, UX/UI design studios, packaging design, advertising design, and digital creative agencies.
Typically $10K+/month in consistent retainer or project revenue.
Yes. Professional Mac and display equipment with asset-backed financing.
Trailing 6-month averages normalize project-based income alongside retainer revenue.
Yes. Portfolio and pitch investment for retainer relationships is a valid capital use.
Yes. Team expansion is a primary working capital use for design agencies.
Software subscriptions are operational expenses — working capital covers these ongoing costs.
48-hour decisions. Funds in 3–5 business days.
Yes. Digital-focused design agencies are fundable.