Key Takeaways
- Fashion brand sales revenue drives Bankable approval — no green card required
- Fund inventory, production runs, and working capital for OPT fashion founders
- Direct-to-consumer, wholesale, and marketplace fashion brands all qualify
- 48-hour decisions for apparel businesses with $10K+ monthly revenue
Fashion design, textile engineering, and merchandising graduates on F-1 OPT have a structural advantage in the apparel industry: direct access to manufacturing ecosystems in their home markets — whether that's textile mills in South Asia, garment factories in Southeast Asia, or leather goods manufacturers in Europe and South America. These founders are launching clothing brands and apparel businesses that combine manufacturing access with design capability and US market understanding.
Fashion Business Capital Uses
- Production run financing: fund initial clothing production with manufacturers
- Inventory pre-purchase for seasonal collections
- E-commerce store development and product photography
- Wholesale trade show presence and buyer relationship development
- Working capital between collection launch and retail payment
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Since March 2026, SBA loans require 100% US citizen or national ownership. Bankable is non-SBA — F-1 OPT founders qualify based entirely on business revenue.
No. Bankable funds US-registered business entities based on revenue. Immigration status is not evaluated.
Your business entity continues operating and servicing funding. The loan is with the business, not the individual.
Yes. Fashion brand ownership through a US-registered LLC or corporation is available to F-1 OPT founders. No professional licensing is required for fashion design or apparel sales.
$10,000+ in monthly sales with 4+ months of selling history. Both DTC e-commerce revenue and wholesale revenue qualify.
For brands with confirmed pre-orders or wholesale purchase orders, production run financing is available with inventory as partial collateral.
Yes. Luxury and premium fashion brands qualify on the same terms as mass-market brands. Higher price points with lower units often translate to higher margins and stronger bankability.
Yes. Trade show deposits, booth costs, and travel capital for wholesale buyer development are approved working capital uses.