Frequently Asked Questions

Blackburn Business Capital is a business funding marketplace. Instead of being a single lender with limited products, we connect your business with a network of 100+ lending partners across 40+ funding products. One application gets you matched with the best capital solution for your specific situation — whether that's a merchant cash advance, SBA loan, equipment financing, commercial real estate, or any other product.

No. We're a funding marketplace and advisory firm. We don't lend money directly — we match your business with the right lender from our network of 100+ partners. This actually works in your favor because instead of being limited to one lender's products and rates, you get access to dozens of lenders competing for your business.

We serve businesses in 40 states + D.C.. Our headquarters is in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but our lending network operates nationwide. Whether you're in New York, Texas, California, or anywhere in between, we can match you with funding.

A bank is one lender with one set of products and one risk appetite. If you don't fit their criteria, you're rejected. Blackburn gives you access to 100+ lenders across every product type. If one says no, we have 99 more options. We also move significantly faster than banks — most products fund in 24-72 hours versus 2-6 weeks at a traditional bank.

When you accept a funding offer and get funded, the lending partner pays Blackburn a referral fee. This is already built into the lender's standard pricing — you don't pay extra for using our service. There are no application fees, no upfront costs, and no hidden charges. You only pay if you choose to accept an offer and get funded.

About 2 minutes. We ask for basic business information: your business name, how long you've been operating, your approximate monthly revenue, how much funding you need, and what you plan to use it for. No business plan, no financial projections, no tax returns at this stage.

No. Our initial application uses a soft credit pull that has zero impact on your credit score. If you move forward with a specific lender, they may perform a hard inquiry during final underwriting — but we'll always tell you before that happens so there are no surprises.

For most products (MCA, revenue-based financing, term loans, lines of credit), you'll need 3 months of business bank statements and a government-issued ID. That's it. For equipment financing, you'll also need a quote or invoice for the equipment. For SBA loans, more documentation is required — tax returns, financial statements, and a business plan. Your advisor will provide a specific checklist based on the products you qualify for.

No. Applying through Blackburn Business Capital is completely free with zero obligation. You're never charged unless you accept a funding offer and the deal closes. There are no application fees, no processing fees, and no hidden upfront costs.

For most products, you'll receive preliminary feedback within hours of submitting your application. For merchant cash advances and revenue-based financing, offers can come back the same day. For term loans and lines of credit, typically within 24-48 hours. SBA loans take longer due to the complexity of underwriting — usually 1-2 weeks for initial feedback.

It depends on the product. Merchant cash advances accept scores as low as 500. Term loans typically require 570+. Lines of credit need 600+. SBA loans generally require 650+. Because we work with 100+ lenders, we can often find options for businesses at every credit tier. Even if one product doesn't fit, another might.

Yes. Many of our lending partners specialize in working with borrowers who have lower credit scores, past bankruptcies, tax liens, or judgments. Products like merchant cash advances and revenue-based financing focus primarily on your business revenue rather than your credit score. If your business generates consistent income, there's almost always a path to funding.

Most products require at least 4-6 months in business with demonstrable revenue. Some products like SBA loans and certain term loans prefer 2+ years. For true startups with no revenue yet, we offer unsecured business credit programs and 0% introductory business credit cards for borrowers with strong personal credit (700+).

A bank rejection is one of the most common reasons business owners come to us — and one of the easiest problems to solve. Banks have extremely narrow criteria. A rejection doesn't mean your business is bad; it means you didn't fit that one bank's specific box. Our network of 100+ lenders includes alternative funders, specialty lenders, and credit-flexible programs that serve borrowers banks turn away every day.

Not for most products. Merchant cash advances, revenue-based financing, unsecured term loans, and lines of credit typically require no collateral. Equipment financing uses the equipment itself as collateral. Commercial real estate uses the property. SBA loans may require collateral for larger amounts. Your advisor will be clear about collateral requirements for every offer you receive.

We offer 40+ funding products through our lending network, including: revenue-based financing, merchant cash advances, business term loans, lines of credit, equipment financing, equipment leasing, SBA loans (7a, 504, Express, Microloan), commercial real estate loans, bridge loans, hard money, construction financing, invoice factoring, unsecured business funding, business acquisition loans, franchise financing, startup funding, and more.

From $5,000 to over $50 million, depending on the product and your qualifications. Merchant cash advances and revenue-based financing range from $5,000 to $2 million. Term loans go up to $2 million. Equipment financing up to $5 million. SBA loans up to $5 million+. Commercial real estate loans can exceed $50 million. Your advisor will help you determine the right amount based on your business needs and qualifications.

A term loan gives you a lump sum with fixed monthly payments over a set period (1-5 years). An MCA gives you a lump sum and repays through a fixed percentage of your daily sales. Term loans are generally cheaper but require better credit (570+). MCAs are more expensive but more accessible (500+ credit) and faster (same-day funding). If you qualify for both, a term loan usually saves you money.

Absolutely — that's the whole point of working with us. Most business owners aren't experts in financial products, and they shouldn't have to be. Tell us what you need the money for, how fast you need it, and the basics of your business. We'll evaluate which products you qualify for and recommend the best option based on your situation, your budget, and your goals.

It depends on the product. Merchant cash advances: same day to 48 hours. Revenue-based financing: 24-48 hours. Term loans: 24-72 hours. Lines of credit: 24-72 hours. Equipment financing: 3-7 business days. Bridge/hard money: 5-14 days. SBA loans: 30-90 days. Commercial real estate: 2-12 weeks. We always work to move as fast as possible within each product's timeline.

No. Applying is 100% free with zero obligation. You pay nothing unless you accept an offer and get funded.

No. Our commission is paid by the lender, not by you, and it's already built into the lender's standard pricing structure. In many cases, you actually get better terms through us because we create competition among multiple lenders for your business. A lender who knows they're competing against 99 other lenders is more likely to offer their best rate.

An interest rate (APR) is what you're charged annually on your outstanding balance — like a mortgage or car loan. A factor rate is a multiplier applied to your total advance amount. For example, a $50,000 advance with a 1.3 factor rate means you repay $65,000 total. MCAs and revenue-based financing use factor rates. Term loans, SBA loans, and lines of credit use interest rates. Your advisor will explain the total cost in dollars for every offer so there's no confusion.

Not from us — ever. Some lenders may charge origination fees, closing costs, or servicing fees as part of their standard loan terms. We disclose every fee, from every lender, before you accept any offer. If a fee seems unreasonable, we'll tell you — and we'll look for a better option. Total cost transparency is one of our core values.

In most cases, yes. Many lenders offer early payoff discounts, especially on term loans and lines of credit. For MCAs and revenue-based financing, some funders offer discounted payoff amounts while others require the full factor rate regardless of when you pay. We prioritize matching you with lenders who offer fair early payoff terms, and we'll make sure you understand these terms before you sign.

Your Blackburn advisor remains your ongoing point of contact. We don't disappear after funding. If you have questions about your repayment, need to discuss your account, or want to explore additional funding as your business grows, we're here. Many of our clients come back for second, third, and fourth rounds of funding as their needs evolve.

Yes. Most clients qualify for renewals or additional funding after demonstrating consistent repayment. For MCAs and revenue-based financing, you may be eligible for a renewal after repaying 50-70% of your current advance — often at higher amounts and better terms. For term loans and lines of credit, on-time payment history opens the door to larger facilities and lower rates.

Some products report to business credit bureaus and some don't. Term loans, lines of credit, and SBA loans typically report positive payment history to Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business. MCAs and revenue-based financing generally do not report to credit bureaus. If building business credit is a priority, your advisor can help you choose products that contribute to your credit profile.

Contact us immediately. Early communication is critical. Depending on your situation and your lender, options may include payment restructuring, deferral, or refinancing into a more manageable product. Ignoring payment issues makes them worse. Reaching out early gives us the most options to help you.

Absolutely — and we encourage it. Many clients start with an MCA or revenue-based financing because it's what they qualify for today. As they build revenue history, improve their credit, and demonstrate consistent repayment, they graduate to term loans, lines of credit, or SBA loans with significantly better rates and terms. We're here to guide that progression.