Ep. 201 – Seed Funding 101: What is an SBA Loan?

SIBP-Blog-NEW-2One of the most powerful funding tools available to first-time entrepreneurs and early stage companies is debt-based financing. Without a great credit history, however, getting a commercial loan from a traditional lender isn’t always the easiest thing to do. If only there was some way a startup could bring in a third-party to help secure that loan, much like getting a teenager getting their parent to co-sign on a car loan. For many entrepreneurs, the “ultimate co-signer” turns out to be the federal government in the form of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

In today’s podcast, host and business coach Tom Ryan provides an overview of the SBA’s loan program. Learn how SBA loans work, what the eligibility requirements are, how the loans can be used, and how much money they can provide. Continue reading

Ep. 199 – Seed Funding 101: Microloans

SIBP-Blog-NEW-2Getting a loan from a conventional lender can be tricky for an early-stage company. Without a long enough operating history or a significant amount of assets to use as collateral, a banker simply might not see your startup as a very good risk. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have options. For a business that needs just a little capital to grease the wheels and get things moving — perhaps $15,000 or so — a “microloan” might just be the right option.

In today’s episode, host and business coach Tom Ryan talks about the pros and cons of microloans, and some great sources (such as the SBA) to start the process. As always, Tom is joined by producer and co-host Jason Pyles. Continue reading