What is
SBA loans are loans that are partially guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, a federal agency committed to fostering entrepreneurship and small business growth.
The SBA collaborates with a wide network of approved lenders, often banks, to provide loans with more favorable terms to businesses that may not qualify for traditional bank loans.
Benefits
One of the primary attractions of SBA loans is the lower down payment requirement, making it more accessible to businesses with limited capital.
SBA loans generally offer longer repayment terms, allowing you to better manage cash flow and operational expenses.
The interest rates for SBA loans are typically more competitive than what you would find with conventional loans, thus reducing the cost of capital.
The funds acquired can be used for various business activities such as working capital, equipment purchase, real estate, or even business acquisition.
The favorable terms and rates can strengthen your balance sheet, making your business more appealing to investors and strategic partners.
Some SBA programs also provide access to a wealth of educational resources and expert advice to help you navigate the business landscape.
The SBA doesn’t lend money directly. Instead, it sets the guidelines for loans made by its partnering lenders, thereby reducing the risk for lenders and making it easier for them to provide financing to small businesses.
Eligibility Assessment: Determine if your business qualifies for an SBA loan. Criteria include business size, the nature of the business, and the use of proceeds among others.
Select Loan Type: Choose an SBA loan program that suits your needs. The most common are 7(a) for general purposes, 504 for real estate and equipment, and microloans for smaller needs.
Compile Documentation: Gather all necessary financial statements, business plans, and other required documents.
Apply through an SBA-Approved Lender: Complete the application process with a lender that is approved by the SBA to offer such loans.
Loan Approval and Funding: After review and due diligence, if approved, you'll receive the loan amount and can begin utilizing the funds as agreed.
Cost
The cost of capital in SBA lending is often more favorable than other forms of financing, but it's crucial to undertake a thorough cost-benefit analysis. The end objective is to leverage the acquired capital for value-generating activities that yield an ROI surpassing the cost of the loan. This can include, but is not limited to:
Higher production capacity often translates into economies of scale and, eventually, higher ROI.
Venturing into new markets can provide incremental revenue streams.
Upgrading technology can lead to operational efficiency and cost savings.
Investing in skilled labor can yield long-term productivity gains.
Strategic acquisitions can provide instant market share and synergies that offer a healthy ROI.
FAQ
While Cirrus facilitates a broad diversity of financing products to most industries and business stages, we're not a great fit for every company. We're focused on US-based businesses who wish to raise greater than $1M in non-dilutive capital.
We find the most success working with companies with greater than $3M in annual revenue and/or $3M in assets such as accounts receivable, inventory or equipment. We frequently work with loss-making (cash burning) companies, but they should have 4-6+ months of cash runway and line of sight into future profitability.
If we're successful in matching your company with the right investor(s) and you decide to move forward towards a consummated transaction, Cirrus earns a small percentage of capital committed to your company, generally between 1-3%. We charge our fee after a successful fundraise takes place and funds are transferred to your business account.
Additionally, as needed, our team can help you ensure your company is in the best position possible to successfully raise capital. Our talented team can advise on and directly create materials such as financial models and presentation decks. We can also be instrumental in financial reconciliation and other FP&A functions so that your business is well organized as you approach investor conversations. These services are offered on an optional, as-needed basis at an agreed upon rate, no surprises!
We take the security and privacy of your sensitive business information very seriously at Cirrus. During every step of our process, we're reliant on technology and third-party solutions that must adhere to strict security standards such as ISO 27001 compliance, SOC 2 compliance and AES 256-bit encryption.
You can review our privacy policy and terms & conditions at any time and reach out to hello@cirruscap.com with any questions.