Borrowing money is one of the most significant financial decisions you can make for your business. That’s why it’s crucial to make a clear assessment of your financial health. This can include:

• Evaluating your personal and business credit score, 
• Identifying outstanding loans and existing debt
• Understanding how loan payments may impact your overall financial wellbeing and budget
• Reviewing your available resources, savings and potential collateral.

Once you are able to assess your financial wellbeing, you can make more informed decisions about borrowing. This can include determining how much you should borrow, assessing your repayment capacity, and ultimately, deciding whether a loan is the most suitable option for your business. Unsure about pursuing a loan? Visit our grant portal to learn more about the process and find grant opportunities.

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To borrow money, you must have clear and organized records of your financial situation. This includes:

• Business plan
• Personal credit reports
• Income tax returns
• Financial statements from your bank, including balance sheets, profit and loss statements
• Legal documents about the ownership of your business such as licenses and incorporation documents
• Information about potential collateral

While this isn’t an exhaustive list of documents, this is a good starting point. Please note that requirements may vary depending on the loan type and lender you choose.

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Before approaching a bank or applying online for a small business loan, thorough preparation is key to securing the financing you need. Here are some essential questions you might want to consider beforehand.

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To simplify your search, we've created a breakdown of the most popular financing options and lenders utilized by small businesses, along with key factors to consider when evaluating these options.

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Through our free form, Venturize connects small business owners to potential financing options and business assistance services offered by Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). These financial institutions act in your best financial interest ensuring affordability, and transparency of terms and conditions. Financing options for small businesses like yours include term loans, lines of credit, credit cards, real estate financing and much more. Fill out our form to get matched with a lender today!

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