Step 1: What do I share when I apply?
The application asks for basics: your business name and industry, how long you have operated, approximate monthly revenue, how much you are looking for and what it is for. It is free, takes a few minutes and does not commit you to anything.
Be accurate. Inaccurate application information can cause problems later, because many funding contracts treat false statements as a default. If you are unsure of a figure, say so.
Step 2: What documents will funders review?
Most reviews start with recent business bank statements, which show deposits, balances and existing payments. Depending on the product, a funder may also ask for identification, a voided check, tax returns, financial statements or an equipment quote. Requirements vary by product and funder.
Share documents only through a secure upload or an established read-only bank connection. Our guide to connecting your bank account safely explains what access you are granting. Many funders begin with a soft credit check; ask before you consent.
Step 3: How do I compare offers?
Compare the total amount you will repay, the payment amount and frequency, the term, any fees taken from the proceeds, and what you sign personally. A lower payment over a longer term can cost more overall, and a fast offer can carry terms worth slowing down for.
- Ask for the full contract, not just a summary.
- Check the personal guarantee, the lien and the default section.
- For merchant cash advances, read the reconciliation clause and our question list.
- You can decline any offer.
Step 4: What happens after I sign?
After signing, the funder confirms final details and sends the funds to your business account, often net of any disclosed fees. Check that the deposit matches the contract, that the first payments match the agreed schedule, and keep a signed copy of every document.
If revenue drops later, contact the funder before a payment fails and review what your contract allows. Raise any mismatch in writing right away.
What should I confirm before I sign a funding contract?
Confirm that you can state, in your own words, what you will repay, how and when payments are taken, what you are personally responsible for, and what happens if revenue slows. If any of those is unclear, ask in writing and wait for the answer before signing.
Contract clarity
- You have the full contract, every schedule and every addendum, not a summary page.
- The total repayment amount, the payment amount and the payment frequency match what was quoted to you.
- Any fee taken from the proceeds is written down, and you know the net amount that will reach your account.
- The term, or how the agreement ends, is stated in plain terms.
- You know which parts of the agreement a missed or reduced payment can trigger, including the default section.
Existing obligations
- You have listed every current loan, advance and line, with its remaining balance and payment schedule.
- You have checked whether the new payment can be covered alongside those existing payments, using your recent bank statements rather than a best month.
- You know whether the contract restricts taking additional financing, and whether the funder will file a UCC lien on business assets.
- You understand any personal guarantee and what it exposes outside the business.
Before you sign
- You were not asked to pay anything before funding. If you were, read how to check whether a funding company is legitimate first.
- For a merchant cash advance, you have read the reconciliation clause and gone through our question list.
- You have kept the answers to your questions in writing.
- You have had enough time to read it. A deadline that does not let you read the contract is a reason to slow down.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the whole process take?
It depends on the product and how quickly documents come in. Some approvals come within a day or two, depending on documents. Term loans and equipment financing can take longer, and SBA loans often take weeks to a few months.
Will I be asked to pay anything before funding?
No. TrustedBizFunder never asks you to pay a fee before funding. If anyone claiming to work with us requests money upfront, stop and treat it as a red flag.
Am I obligated to accept an offer?
No. Applying and reviewing offers is free and carries no obligation. Take the time you need to read the contract and ask questions, and walk away if the terms do not fit your business.
What if I am turned down?
A decline usually reflects something specific, such as revenue level, time in business, existing obligations or credit. Ask what drove it. Sometimes a different product, a smaller amount or waiting a few months of stronger deposits changes the answer.
Start with step one
The application is free, takes a few minutes and commits you to nothing.
Updated September 14, 2026 · TrustedBizFunder Funding Team