Key Takeaways
- Bankable funds startups with 6+ months of consistent revenue — not pre-revenue
- First capital injection after bootstrapping is a core Bankable use case
- SBA startup loans unavailable to E-3 holders
- Revenue-based advances don't require business plan projections — just actual performance
- 48-hour decisions up to $2M for early-stage businesses
The term 'startup' means different things in different contexts. In Bankable's context, a startup is a business in its first 1–2 years of operation that has already achieved consistent monthly revenue but needs growth capital to reach the next level. We don't fund pre-revenue concepts — that's the domain of friends-and-family rounds, angel investors, and accelerators.
What we do fund: the business that has proven its concept with real customer revenue, is generating $10K–$50K/month consistently, and needs working capital to hire staff, fund marketing, purchase inventory, or build out operations to meet growing demand. This is the earliest stage of business growth that revenue-based lending can confidently serve — and it's a critical inflection point for many E-3-operated businesses.
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
- SBA startup loans unavailable to E-3 holders
- Angel and VC funding requires compelling pitch and often equity dilution
- Banks rarely lend to businesses under 2 years old
- Personal savings can only take you so far before outside capital is needed
- Early-stage businesses have limited credit history to present to lenders
- Revenue is growing but still irregular — making traditional underwriting difficult
Funding Solutions for E-3 Holders
- Revenue-Based Advance: First capital based on your actual 6-month revenue history.
- Working Capital: Fund hiring, marketing, and operations during the growth phase.
- Inventory Capital: Scale product inventory as customer demand increases.
- Equipment Financing: Acquire business-critical equipment with asset-backed financing.
- Marketing Investment: Fund customer acquisition before revenue catches up.
The 6-Month Revenue Threshold
Bankable's 6-month requirement isn't arbitrary. Six months of consistent monthly revenue demonstrates: (1) the business model works (customers pay for what you offer), (2) the operator has the skills to run the business (they haven't shut down), (3) revenue is real and bankable (not a one-time fluke). These three data points are the foundation of our underwriting confidence in early-stage businesses.
If you're at 3–5 months of revenue, the fastest path to Bankable funding is to maintain or grow your revenue for the remaining months and apply when you hit 6 months. We can pre-qualify you in the meantime so you know exactly what to expect when you hit the threshold.
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
No. Bankable requires 6+ months of consistent revenue. Pre-revenue businesses should seek angel, accelerator, or personal funding.
Typically $10K+/month consistently over 6 months.
No. Bankable evaluates actual performance — bank statements and revenue history — not projections.
You need a US business entity (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, or sole proprietorship with EIN and business bank account).
Growing but irregular revenue is evaluated on trailing averages. Strong upward trends support larger advances.
SBA programs are excluded. Some state small business programs may not have citizenship requirements — worth investigating in your state.
Typically 1–2x monthly revenue for early-stage businesses. Up to $2M for startups with strong revenue.
Yes — if your business entity pays you a salary, that's a legitimate business operating expense.
Apply once you have 6 months of revenue. Pre-launch, our tools can't reliably assess your funding eligibility.
Strong MoM growth trajectories are viewed positively. Month-to-month variability is normalized in our trailing average calculation.