Can I get funding with 3 months in business?

Possibly. MFE's merchant cash advance guideline often starts around 3 months, with about $7,500 a month in revenue and flexible credit. Expect smaller amounts and shorter terms than an older business would see.

Does time in business start at incorporation or first sale?

Funders usually look at when the business began operating, often confirmed by formation date, license or bank deposits. If you formed the company long before you opened, the deposit history tells the real story.

What changes when I reach one year?

Lines of credit usually start around one year in business at MFE, along with about $17,500 a month in revenue and credit around 650. Pricing on other products often improves too.

If I change my business name, do I start over?

Not necessarily. If it is the same owner, same operations and same bank account, explain the change and provide the paperwork. A new entity with a new account may be reviewed as newer.

How Long in Business to Get Funding

The short answer

At Merchant Fund Express, a merchant cash advance often starts around 3 months in business, working capital loans and equipment financing often around 6 months, and lines of credit usually around 1 year. These are planning guidelines, not approval rules. Revenue, credit and how clean your bank statements look count just as much as the calendar.

What changes at each milestone

Time open	What usually opens up	What to expect
Under 3 months	Very little outside funding	Use savings, partners or local microloans
3 to 6 months	Merchant cash advance	Smaller amounts, shorter terms, higher cost
6 to 12 months	Working capital loans, equipment financing	More choice if revenue and credit meet guidelines
1 to 3 years	Lines of credit	Revolving access, better pricing with strong credit
3+ years	Larger amounts, longer terms	Financials and tax returns carry more weight

MFE's time in business guide lists the same guidelines.

Why time in business matters

Every month open is another month of proof that customers keep paying you. Funders use it to judge how likely sales are to continue. A business that survived its first slow season, raised prices or kept staff through a rough quarter looks very different from one that opened eight weeks ago.

Time in business is usually counted from the date the business started operating, often shown by the formation date, business license or the first month of business bank deposits.

Check what your business qualifies for

Merchant Fund Express reviews how long you need to be in business to get funding requests from $5,000 to $5,000,000. Scores from 500 are considered, and same-day decisions are common on complete files.

Check funding options with Merchant Fund Express

Who can apply now and who should wait

Apply now: owners past a milestone with steady deposits, a clear use of funds and no surprise gaps on the statements. Sole proprietors count time in business the same way as companies.

Wait: owners just short of a milestone, especially those at month five eyeing a working capital loan, or month ten eyeing a line of credit. A few more weeks can move you into a lower-cost product. Very new owners should read funding for young businesses.

Illustrative example: eight months open

Assumptions: a bakery open eight months with about $30,000 a month in deposits and a 640 credit score. It meets the common working capital loan guidelines. Loan of $40,000, 3% fee, 12-month term with weekly payments, total repayment of $50,400.

Item	Amount
Loan amount	$40,000
Fee (3%)	$1,200
Net cash received	$38,800
Total repayment	$50,400
Weekly payment ($50,400 / 52)	$969.23
Total cost (repayment minus net cash)	$11,600

Illustrative example only. At month four, the same bakery would likely only see advance offers, which are usually shorter and cost more per dollar. The extra four months changed the menu of products, not just the price.

These figures are illustrations, not offers. Real pricing, amounts and terms depend on the full file.

Funding brings customers. Is your website ready for them?

Every month in business counts more when it shows growing deposits, and a site that ranks for your service in your town helps produce them. Cheap Cheap Websites builds professional sites from $399, and Website Care at $30/month keeps it updated as your business moves through each milestone.

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What to prepare

3 to 4 months of business bank statements.
Government ID and a voided business check.
A short application with your start date.
Proof of start date if asked, such as formation papers or license.
For larger amounts, financial statements and tax returns.

When another option is better

If you are under three months, outside funding is rarely the right tool. Build deposits first. If you are past a year with good credit, ask about a line before taking a lump sum you may not fully need. Revenue matters as much as months open, so check the revenue guidelines too.

Buying a business? The previous owner's history may help, but expect the funder to ask for documents showing the transfer and continuous operation.

Related funding guides

How much revenue you need for business funding Revenue-based financing for young businesses Credit score for a business line of credit Business funding requirements How long you need to be in business to get funding at Merchant Fund Express

Cheap Cheap Websites builds websites. It does not lend or make funding decisions. Funding is offered by our funding partner, Merchant Fund Express, and every request is subject to its review and approval. Figures on this page are illustrations, not offers. Updated October 15, 2026.

How long you need to be in business to get funding