7 alternative financing options for small businesses you haven’t tapped into yet

Payroll funding, AR financing, supply chain funding and more

There’s a world of alternative lenders out there for every small business challenge. Odds are, you haven’t heard of most of them.

If you had to list your top 5 challenges as an entrepreneur or small business owner, one of the top spots would likely be “managing cash flow” to keep your business and team running.

But in most situations, it’s hard to qualify for a traditional business line of credit.
Even after you’re finally approved, you likely didn’t qualify for a big enough line to really meet your needs. Especially as you grow.

This is when alternative lenders can become your saving grace.

There are dozens of alternative business funding, and unconventional business loans. They provide financing for practically every small business cash flow challenge — from supply chain financing, to reverse invoice factoring to payroll funding to accounts receivable financing.

In this article, we’ll give you the scoop on into the world of alternative lending and explore how to unlock the hidden assets and secure the funding that you need.

When to look for alternatives to lines of credit? Two main reasons:

Reason 1: I’ve gone to my banker and I’m not eligible for a (big enough) business line of credit.

There could be various reasons why this is the case. 

Banks have strict lending criteria and risk assessment processes.

Factors like credit score, collateral, and business performance play a huge role in their decision-making, and as a small, growing business, you’re hampered by the lack of historic data banks need to be able to give you a credit line.

See what you can prepare to better qualify in the future →

Reason 2: I can’t wait months for a business credit line

Many of our clients — specifically in construction and healthcare — have a very long billing cycle. Services are provided and materials bought months in advance of payment.

Unfortunately, for you, your small business can’t wait that long. Operations need to continue. Employees need to be paid. Materials need to be bought.

Alternative lenders often provide

What many CPAs and business owners do not know – Alternative lenders.

Even your accountant often doesn’t know about most of the vast array of alternative lending options for small businesses.

How does a non-traditional financing option work? Alternative lenders find a specific asset in your business that’s worth money (e.g. money you’re owed by clients) and advance you cash on that asset.

In other words, they find a hidden asset – something valuable your business owns that you didn’t even know you have, and use that as a way to fund your operations without risk.

Hidden assets could be the value of your product or services, the value of unpaid invoices, the value of contracts in place and much, much more.

Let’s quickly explore 7 of these alternative financing options for small businesses based on your assets:

Here’s a quick chart showing you alternative loan types, and whether it would work for your business.

How do you find those hidden assets?

As the business owner, it can be tough for you to find hidden assets. It’s often worth turning to a “quasi underwriter” — a loan broker or loan expert. They can dig up those assets that make you eligible for specific alternative lending options… that fit your business like a glove.

They know all the non-traditional business loans and financing options out there, and can offer your business unique financing solutions built around a specific small business financing need.

Get the full scoop on various financing options in Alternative Financing Part 2 here (coming soon).

Need a quick loan to cover payroll while you explore alternative loans? Apply here in less than 5 minutes, and have it as a free safety net for your business (since there’s no cost until funds are used). See more about how it works here.

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