# New business funding cheat sheet: options by months in business

URL: https://cheapcheapwebsites.com/cheat-sheets/startup-and-new-business-funding/
Updated October 16, 2026. Funding offered by Merchant Fund Express (https://merchantfundexpress.com/business-funding-requirements/); Cheap Cheap Websites builds websites and does not lend.

## The short answer
Most revenue-based funding needs some history: at Merchant Fund Express, the merchant cash advance guideline is often 3+ months in business with about $7,500 a month in revenue. Before that, owners usually rely on savings, personal credit, grants, microloans or equipment vendor programs. Minority and women-owned businesses can look for targeted grants and programs, but grants are competitive and slow. Each month of steady deposits widens your options.

## At a glance
- 0 to 3 months: Savings, personal credit, grants, microloans, vendor terms
- 3+ months: MCA guideline at MFE: commonly from about $7,500 a month, flexible credit
- 6+ months: Working capital guideline: about $17,500 a month, commonly 600+ credit; equipment often 6+ months
- 1+ year: Line of credit guideline: about $17,500 a month, commonly about 650+ credit
- Credit: Scores from 500 considered at MFE; stronger credit usually means better offers
- Amounts: $5,000 to $5,000,000 at MFE, sized to revenue; young files usually start small
- Documents: 3 to 4 months of business bank statements, ID, voided check, short application
- Grants vs loans: Grants are not repaid but are competitive and slow; loans are repaid with cost
- Avoid if: Revenue is not yet steady enough to carry a daily or weekly payment

## Before you apply: checklist
- Open a dedicated business bank account and run all revenue through it
- Register the business and get an EIN if you have not
- Keep personal and business spending separate from day one
- Track monthly deposits so you know when you cross key guidelines
- Check your personal credit, since it carries more weight for new businesses
- Search for grants for your city, state, industry, and owner background
- Start with a small request you can comfortably repay
- Save every invoice and receipt for future applications

## Startups and first-time borrowers
Funders cannot judge a business with no track record, so they lean on what exists: the owner's credit, any deposits and the industry. The single best thing a new business can do is build clean, steady deposits in one business account. Sole proprietors can apply too. What matters is a business bank account with real revenue. See how long you need to be in business to get funding and the startup revenue-based financing guide .

## Grants vs loans, and minority and women-owned businesses
Grants: no repayment, but strict rules, long applications and few winners. Look at local economic development offices, state programs and industry groups. Microloans: small loans through nonprofit lenders, often with coaching. Good for very young businesses. Minority and women-owned businesses: certifications can open targeted grants, contracts and programs. Funding offers themselves are based on the business file. Revenue-based funding: faster, costs more, needs a few months of deposits. Beware of anyone charging a fee to promise you a grant. Real grant programs do not work that way.

## Illustrative example: a young business at 4 months
Illustrative example Assumption Figure Months in business 4 Deposits, months 2 to 4 $9,000, $11,000, $13,000 Average monthly deposits ((9,000 + 11,000 + 13,000) / 3) $11,000 Sizing at the low end of the 0.5x to 1.5x guideline (11,000 x 0.5) $5,500 Assumed factor rate 1.30 Total payback (5,500 x 1.30) $7,150 Weekly payment over 26 weeks (7,150 / 26) $275 Young files are usually sized at the cautious end. Growing deposits help the next request. These figures are illustrations, not offers. Real terms depend on the full file and are set by the funder at review.

## Common mistakes
Running revenue through a personal account, which hides it from funders. Borrowing a large amount before revenue is steady. Spending months chasing grants instead of building sales. Signing for daily payments that a slow week cannot cover. Ignoring personal credit, which matters most when the business is new.

## How Merchant Fund Express handles this
Merchant Fund Express publishes business funding requirements at Merchant Fund Express as planning guidelines, not approval rules. For a merchant cash advance, that is often 3+ months in business and about $7,500 a month in revenue, with credit from 500 considered. If you are not there yet, keep building deposits and come back. When you are, gather 3 to 4 months of statements, ID and a voided check, then apply with Merchant Fund Express . Service is in English and Spanish.

## Frequently asked questions
**Can a startup with no revenue get funding?** Revenue-based funding usually needs a few months of deposits. With no revenue, owners typically look at savings, personal credit, grants, microloans or equipment vendor programs first.

**How long do I need to be in business to get funding at MFE?** MFE's merchant cash advance guideline is often 3+ months in business. Working capital and equipment are often 6+ months, and lines of credit usually 1+ year. These are guidelines, not rules.

**Are there grants for minority or women-owned businesses?** Yes, through some local, state, nonprofit and corporate programs. They are competitive, and certification can help. Treat grants as a bonus, not a plan for urgent cash.

**Can a sole proprietor get business funding?** Yes. Sole proprietors can apply. Funders look at a business bank account with steady deposits, ID and the owner's credit, just as they do for other business types.

Apply with Merchant Fund Express: https://merchantfundexpress.com/current-application.html?utm_source=cheat-sheet&utm_campaign=startup-and-new-business-funding