U.S. Small Business Administration (loans made by participating lenders)
LOANThis is a LOAN. You repay it, with interest, in monthly payments of principal and interest out of the business’s cash flow. The SBA does not lend you the money — it guarantees part of what a bank lends (85% on loans under $150,000 and 75% above that for the Working Capital Pilot), which is why a bank will consider a borrower it would otherwise refuse. Maximum $5 million. It can be used for real estate, working capital, equipment, refinancing business debt and changes of ownership. Anyone describing an SBA 7(a) as government money for your business is describing debt with a federal backstop for the lender, not for you.
You must show creditworthiness and "a reasonable ability to repay." Expect the lender to require collateral where available and personal guarantees from owners — the SBA guarantee protects the lender, not you, and you can still lose pledged personal assets. Approval runs through the bank, so shop lenders: two SBA lenders will answer the same file differently. Talk to an SBDC before applying, not after a denial.
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Not financial or legal advice. Program terms change — verify eligibility, amounts, and deadlines with the administering agency before acting.