Key Takeaways
- K-1 holders starting businesses during AOS need startup capital banks won't provide
- Bankable evaluates K-1 startups on early revenue, industry experience, and business plan
- SBA startup loans unavailable to K-1 AOS holders -- Bankable fills the gap
- $25K-$500K startup packages available for K-1 entrepreneurs in their first year
- Revenue from even 1-3 months of business qualifies for Bankable startup funding
Starting a business is the most exciting and most capital-intensive moment of the K-1 entrepreneurial journey. You have the idea, the skills, the drive -- but the bank sees no US credit history, no 2-year tax returns, and an immigration status in flux. The SBA won't touch a K-1 AOS startup. Bankable evaluates K-1 startups differently: we look at your early revenue, your industry experience, your market, and your plan. If your business has been generating any revenue -- even 1-3 months -- Bankable can structure startup funding from $25K to $500K to get your business properly capitalized.
The K-1 Funding Challenge
- Banks require 2+ years of US business history that new K-1 startups don't have
- SBA startup loans are unavailable to K-1 AOS holders
- Personal savings are often insufficient to fund a proper business launch
- Family and friends loans create personal relationship risk
- Business credit cards are hard to get for new K-1 businesses without US credit history
- Pre-revenue businesses face the most severe funding gaps
Bankable Solutions for K-1 Business Owners
- Early Revenue Startup Funding ($25K-$500K): Fund based on your first 1-3 months of revenue to properly capitalize your business.
- Equipment Startup Package: Finance the equipment you need to start operations, with assets as collateral.
- Inventory Startup Financing: Fund initial inventory to stock your store or product business.
- Business Launch Package: Combined equipment, inventory, and working capital in a single startup funding transaction.
- Pre-Opening Working Capital: Fund lease deposits, renovations, and pre-opening costs while you build toward revenue.
Why Banks Fail K-1 Entrepreneurs
Traditional banks evaluate business loan applications through a lens built for citizens and permanent residents. They demand two or more years of US tax returns, a Social Security number with a long credit history, and often require a green card or citizenship as an unstated condition. K-1 holders in the adjustment of status period rarely meet all these criteria simultaneously.
Bankable funds revenue, not immigration documents. Check your Bankability Score in 5 minutes with no hard credit pull. Explore SBA alternatives and revenue-based products.
Revenue-Based Funding
Up to $5M tied to your monthly business revenue. No green card required. 48-hour decision.
Apply Now →Equipment Financing
Asset-backed funding for K-1 business owners. Fast approval, EAD-eligible.
Learn More →Working Capital Bridge
Bridge cash flow gaps during AOS. Flexible repayment tied to your revenue.
Check Score →Frequently Asked Questions
No. Bankable does not require a green card or US citizenship for any of its funding products. A valid EAD and a registered US business entity are the primary requirements.
Bankable makes decisions within 48 hours of receiving complete documentation. Funding typically arrives within 3-5 business days of approval.
SBA rules require all 20%+ business owners to be US citizens or lawful permanent residents. K-1 holders in AOS are excluded regardless of revenue or business quality. Bankable fills this gap.
Typically 3-6 months of business bank statements, your EIN, proof of business ownership, and your EAD. The Bankability Score tool provides a personalized document list in 5 minutes.
Bankable generally starts working with businesses that have 1-3+ months of revenue history. Even $5K-$10K in monthly revenue supports initial funding discussions. The more revenue and history you have, the more funding you can access.
Pre-revenue businesses are evaluated case by case. Equipment financing (where the equipment is collateral) is most accessible for pre-revenue startups. Working capital requires some revenue history.
Bankable's startup funding is revenue-based -- repayment is a percentage of your daily or weekly revenue. A traditional startup loan has fixed payments that can crush a business in its early revenue-building phase.
Register your LLC, get your EIN, open a business bank account, and start generating revenue (even small amounts). Build 2-3 months of banking history and then apply to Bankable. The Bankability Score tool takes 5 minutes and shows you exactly where you stand.