The SBA does not lend most of this money itself. It guarantees part of a loan made by a bank, credit union or nonprofit lender, which makes lenders more willing to say yes. These are loans and must be repaid. Program limits below come from SBA.gov and Treasury.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · CDC Small Business Finance
Amount: $10,000 to $50,000 microloans in California; SBA 7(a) Community Advantage $30,000 to $350,000 · Rolling, apply any time · California
Who qualifies: Startups and existing small businesses, with a focus on California. Startups need a 10% down payment and management or industry experience; limited collateral does not disqualify.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank), Small Business Finance Center
Amount: Loan size set by the lender; IBank guarantees part of the loan · Rolling, apply any time · California
Who qualifies: California small businesses with 1 to 750 employees that have trouble getting a bank loan. You apply through a participating lender, and IBank guarantees part of the loan.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · Main Street Launch
Amount: Up to $350,000 · Rolling, apply any time · California
Who qualifies: New or existing for-profit businesses located in California, 100% owned by US citizens, that can show they can repay from historical or projected revenue.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · Pacific Community Ventures
Amount: $10,000 to $500,000, 8.75% fixed · Rolling, apply any time · California
Who qualifies: California-based businesses operating and generating revenue for at least 12 months with cash flow to cover payments. Rideshare, real estate, transportation, cannabis and nonprofits are excluded.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · Accion Opportunity Fund
Amount: Up to $250,000, terms up to 36 months · Rolling, apply any time · Nationwide
Who qualifies: Businesses with at least 2 years in operation and $300,000+ in annual sales, where shareholders are US citizens or permanent residents. Loans are offered in 45 states, including California and Texas.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · Working Solutions (CDFI)
Amount: $5,000 to $100,000 · Rolling, apply any time · California
Who qualifies: California entrepreneurs, including pre-revenue businesses and those under 1 year old. SSN or ITIN borrowers are served, with no minimum revenue, credit score or collateral.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · U.S. Small Business Administration
Amount: Up to $5.5 million · Rolling, apply any time · Nationwide
Who qualifies: For-profit US small businesses within SBA size guidelines with a feasible business plan and the ability to repay. Used for major fixed assets like real estate and equipment, through a Certified Development Company.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · U.S. Small Business Administration
Amount: Up to $5 million · Rolling, apply any time · Nationwide
Who qualifies: For-profit US businesses that meet SBA size standards, are creditworthy, and can't get the credit on reasonable terms elsewhere. Apply through an SBA-approved lender.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · U.S. Small Business Administration
Amount: Up to $50,000 (average about $13,000) · Rolling, apply any time · Nationwide
Who qualifies: Active, profit-seeking US small businesses within SBA size limits; some nonprofit childcare centers also qualify. Loans come through nonprofit intermediary lenders.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · U.S. Department of the Treasury (run by states, territories and Tribal governments)
Amount: Nearly $10 billion program; amounts set by each state's program · Rolling, apply any time · Nationwide
Who qualifies: Small businesses apply through programs run by their state, DC, territory or Tribal government. Programs include loan participation, loan guarantees, collateral support, capital access programs and venture capital.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · Houston Business Development, Inc. (HBDI)
Amount: $5,000 to $350,000; start-up loans typically $25,000 to $75,000; Fast Track $5,000 to $35,000 · Rolling, apply any time · Texas
Who qualifies: For-profit businesses in the Houston metro area or surrounding counties, with one job created per $35,000 borrowed. Start-up loans need a 33% owner contribution and 3 years of industry experience.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · LiftFund (CDFI)
Amount: $500 to $1 million; rates 0% to 17.50% · Rolling, apply any time · Nationwide
Who qualifies: Startups through established small businesses, including owners with limited credit, collateral or experience. Based in San Antonio and lends nationwide, including Texas and California.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · Office of the Governor, Texas Economic Development & Tourism
Amount: Loans of $5,000 to $5 million enrolled by lenders · Rolling, apply any time · Texas
Who qualifies: Texas businesses with fewer than 500 employees, including very small businesses under 10 employees. You apply for the loan through an approved financial institution, which enrolls it in CAP.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · Office of the Governor, Texas Economic Development & Tourism
Amount: Loans of $5,000 to $20 million; state guarantees up to 80% of unpaid principal · Rolling, apply any time · Texas
Who qualifies: Small businesses with fewer than 500 employees and at least 51% of employees in Texas. Apply through an approved lender or ask your lender to enroll.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · USDA Rural Development
Amount: 85% guarantee on loans under $5 million; 80% on $5 million or more · Rolling, apply any time · Nationwide
Who qualifies: For-profit or nonprofit businesses, cooperatives and individuals starting or running a business in rural areas of 50,000 people or fewer. Apply through a participating lender.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · USDA Rural Development
Amount: Loan guarantees on loans up to 75% of eligible project costs · Rolling, apply any time · Nationwide
Who qualifies: Agricultural producers and for-profit small businesses in rural areas of 50,000 people or fewer, for renewable energy systems or energy efficiency upgrades. REAP grants are not being accepted right now; only guaranteed loans.
7(a) loans are the general purpose option for working capital, equipment, buying a business or refinancing. 504 loans fund big fixed assets like real estate and heavy equipment at a long fixed rate. Microloans are smaller loans made through nonprofit intermediaries, often with coaching included.
SSBCI is a Treasury program that sends money to states, which run their own loan, guarantee and investment programs. What you can get depends on your state.
Getting ready to apply
Lenders look at credit history, cash flow that can cover the payment, time in business, collateral and a personal guarantee from owners with 20 percent or more. Have two to three years of tax returns, current financial statements and a short plan for the money. SBA Lender Match on SBA.gov connects you with participating lenders for free.
Questions
Are SBA loans grants?
No. SBA loans are repaid with interest. The SBA guarantees part of the loan to the lender, it does not give the money away.
Can a startup get an SBA loan?
Yes, but it is harder without revenue history. Microloans and some 7(a) lenders work with startups, usually with a strong plan, owner investment and good personal credit.
Is the Funding Finder free?
Yes. Browsing, filtering and the weekly match email are free. You never need an account to see the listings.
Where do the listings come from?
Federal grants come from the Grants.gov API, SBIR and STTR topics from SBIR.gov, venture funds from the SEC Form D quarterly data set, and every other program was checked by hand on its official page. Each listing links to its source.
How do you keep it current?
A refresh runs every Monday morning. It pulls the federal data again, removes anything past its deadline, re-checks every official link and hides programs whose page has gone dead.
Do you take a cut if I get funded?
No. KenjiAI does not take a fee or commission from any program listed in the Finder. Apply directly on the official site.
Sources: Grants.gov, SBIR.gov, the SEC Form D data set and each program's official page. KenjiAI takes no fee from any program listed here. Data refreshed Oct 30, 2026; the refresh runs every Monday. See also our funding and credit partners and other free tools.