Pre-revenue founders can still get funded. SBA microloans, Kiva's 0% crowdfunded loans, equipment financing, and 0% intro APR business credit cards all work without revenue history. Here's where to start and what lenders actually look at.
If your startup hasn't earned a dollar yet, most traditional lenders will show you the door. But that doesn't mean funding is off the table — it means you need to look where lenders shift their underwriting away from business income and toward personal credit, business plan quality, collateral, and character.1
The options below all work for true pre-revenue businesses. Some are government-backed, some are community-funded, and some are credit cards repurposed as short-term working capital. None require revenue history. All require you to show up prepared.
When a lender can't look at your revenue, they look at everything else:
The trade-off is straightforward: pre-revenue loans tend to be smaller and carry higher rates than what an established business would qualify for. SBA microloans average about $13,0003 — not $500,000. Start small, build credit, and graduate to better terms.
The SBA Microloan program provides up to $50,000 (average about $13,000) through nonprofit community-based intermediaries.3 Interest rates run 8–13%, with repayment terms up to 7 years.3 No revenue is required, though you'll generally need some collateral and a personal guarantee.3 About 24% of SBA microloans go to startups.1
This is the most accessible government-backed option for a business that hasn't earned revenue yet. You can't use it to pay existing debts or buy real estate,3 but for working capital, inventory, equipment, and supplies, it's solid.
The broader SBA 7(a) loan program — the sibling most people think of — offers up to $5M with flexible use, but it's harder to qualify for pre-revenue. The microloan is where pre-revenue founders should start.
Before any lender approves a startup loan, you typically need to be a legal entity with an EIN. Stripe Atlas handles company formation (LLC or C-corp), banking setup, and tax filing for a flat fee. It's not a loan — it's the infrastructure that makes loans possible.
If you're still operating as a sole proprietor, this is step zero. Lenders want to see an established business entity before they'll underwrite you.2
Business credit cards with 0% intro APRs provide free short-term financing, and the best ones offer intro periods of at least 12 months.6 They're accessible on personal credit (typically 650+)2 with no revenue requirement, making them one of the fastest funding paths for pre-revenue founders.
The Citi Double Cash represents this category well — it's a cash-back card with a 0% intro APR window that lets you float startup expenses interest-free during the intro period. Use it for software subscriptions, marketing spend, and small equipment. Pay it off before the intro period ends.
Chase is specifically called out in NerdWallet's 0% APR business card roundup.6 The Sapphire Preferred is a travel-rewards card, but for a pre-revenue founder, the relevant feature is the 0% intro APR window — same short-term financing logic as the Citi.
If you already bank with Chase, this can be faster to get approved since they can see your banking history. It's a reasonable alternative if Citi doesn't approve you.
The Apple Card is a no-frills option for founders who want simple revolving credit without revenue underwriting. No annual fee, daily cash back, and approval is based on personal credit. It won't have the longest 0% intro APR window, but for small, ongoing expenses it's easy to manage and doesn't add complexity.
Think of it as a backup line of credit rather than a primary funding strategy.
| Loan type | Amount range | Revenue required | Min credit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBA Microloan | Government-backed microloan | $500–$50,0002 | No2 | 580+2 |
| Stripe Atlas | Business formation service | Flat fee | N/A | N/A |
| Citi Double Cash | 0% intro APR credit card | $1K–$50K limits2 | No2 | 650+2 |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | 0% intro APR credit card | Varies by limit | No | 650+2 |
| Apple Card | Revolving credit card | Varies by limit | No | Based on personal credit |
If I were starting a business today with no revenue:
Kiva U.S. is also worth mentioning as an honorable mention — 0% interest, no fees, no collateral, no minimum credit score, loans of $1,000–$15,000.4 The catch is social underwriting: you must rally 5–40 private lenders from your network during a private fundraising period (up to 15 days), then up to 35 days of public fundraising.4 If you have a strong community, it's the cheapest money available — literally free.
Start small, build credit, prove the model, and come back for better terms once you have revenue to show.
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