How to Get a Small Business Loan for a Startup

Small Business Loan to Start a Business

For a new entrepreneur, one of the biggest hurdles to resolve and overcome is the need for capital. Funds are critical to any business venture. Finding ways to raise money can sometimes become a full-time occupation for a business owner. A business loan can be a very important supplement to the lifeblood of a company.

There are many ways that startup capital can be raised. There is the option of:

1. Going for a bank (most bank offer small business loans these days)
2. Exploring and applying to non-banking financial institutions
3. Using alternative methods such as crowd funding
4. Approaching angel investors and venture capitalists

For most new businesses the preferred method, out of above, is to apply for loans with banks and other alternative lending institutions.

Eligibility for Startup Business Loan:

While a business loan can be applied for with a government or private bank or with non-banking financial companies, there are some basic eligibility requirements which need to be met. These requirements vary from institution to institution. For example, government loan schemes often have stringent requirements and do no offer the best business loans for new businesses. Since these schemes are typically refinanced by public and private sector banks, the process is slow and full of hassles. On the other hand, NBFCs have startup loan schemes which offer instant business loans with personalized terms. To get a startup business loan from an NBFC like Lendingkart, you need to meet the following eligibility requirements.

• An established business that has been running for more than 6 months.
• A minimum turnover of ₹ 90,000 or more in the past 3 months.
• The type of business should not be categorized under the blacklisted/excluded list for SBA finance.
• The physical location of the enterprise should not be in the negative location list.
• The business should not be a trust, NGO or charitable institution.

How to Get a Small Business Loan to Start a Business

As a startup or a business idea in a nascent stage, the best bet to raise funds lies in non-banking financial institutions. It’s recommended to direct one’s energies towards acquiring capital from alternative lenders rather than traditional banks.

Most banks prefer to give loans to small businesses that are already in existence as opposed to someone who is just starting out. Banks prefer to cover risk and it’s for this reason that the documentation and evaluation processes are long drawn and rather stringent. For a new business, sometimes it can be difficult to meet all the requirements. This greatly affects the chances of getting the loan approved.

Startup Business Loan Interest Rate

Interest rates are one of the major concerns for a small business owner applying for a business loan. Higher interest rates can raise Both the total repayable amount and the money you pay in each EMI. Since most small businesses are operating at very thin to non-existent margins, high interest rates on business loans can be a major deterring factor for them. In extreme cases, not having access to institutional finance can ultimately cause a startup to cease operations.

Now it is an established fact that startup business loans without collateral have higher interest rates due to the increased risk of default for a lender. However, not every startup owner has significant personal or business assets to collateralize. In such cases, FinTech lenders like Lendingkart Finance can help a startup to lower interest rates on a business loan. Since, FinTech firms operate online, they are able to save money that would go in man-hours. These savings are passed onto the customers in the form of lower interest rates. With Lendingkart, you can get interest rates which are customized for your business’s financial profile.

Document & Requirements for Startup Business Loan

The documents required for getting a loan for startup business also vary from lender to lender. Where a traditional bank or government business loan scheme relies heavily on documentation, a FinTech lender relies on the relevant business and KYC documents instead of asking for unnecessary paperwork. Here again, citing the example of the NBFC, Lendingkart Finance, we are sharing a basic list of documents required for startup loans.

• Bank statement for the last 6 to 12 months.
• Proof of business registration such as business registration certificate, GST filing, Gumastadhara, trade license, drug license, TIN or VAT registration.
• Copy of proprietor’s PAN Card.
• Copy of proprietor’s Aadhar Card.
• Copy of the Partnership Deed (if applicable).
• Copy of the company PAN Card.

All these documents are required in the digital format as Lendingkart’s business loan application process in online ‘only’.

Coming to the benefits of applying for business loans with alternative lenders. They make the process rather hassle-free and easy to get through. Some of the advantages that non-financial banking institutions offer are:

1. Slightly more flexible requirements and eligibility criteria
2. Possibility of applying online very quickly
3. Quick turnaround time on loan approvals
4. Instant loan disbursement after approvals

Amongst all these the leniency on the eligibility criteria as well as requirements are the most beneficial.

It is helpful to have lenders who will be willing to consider giving out money to owners who may not have a detailed and long credit history. Your top pick should be lenders who focus on your business idea and go-to-market strategy rather than those who focus on cash flow history. Armed with a solid a dynamic business plan, the loan can be applied for still.

Process to get a Small Business Loan to Start a Business

There are different types of business loans available and depending upon the requirement of the business, a relevant one can be sought and applied for. Some popular options of business loan include working capital loans, startup loans, cash advance loans etc.

The first step is to determine how much money is needed and what it is needed for. This will go into the business plan that will be evaluated during the loan approval process.

Once the amount has been determined, the next step is to do some research and seek out the available options in terms of lenders in the market. Choosing a lender is also a process that requires time and effort. Things like credibility of the lender (reputation in the market), interest rate being offered, support system on offer, options of how loans can be re-paid, process of loan application etc. need to be factored in before choosing the one(s) which would be applied for.

Once identified, the next step is to get all the required documentation ready and up to the mark. A great business plan which details out information about the business idea, the profitability of the idea, the scaling plan, the vision behind the idea, projections regarding staff and infrastructure as well as the marketing strategy. A clear and transparent business plan goes a long way in putting the odds in the favorable position.

The final step is to apply and go through the process.

As mentioned, the turnaround time with non-banking financial institutions is rather quick and if all is okay, the loan should come through within a fortnight or less.

Of course, if you have a business that is already 6 months old or more and has a revenue of INR 12 lakhs or more, you can always apply for a working capital loan at Lendingkart! They have a minimum turnaround time of 3 days for eligible businesses.

How to use a Startup Business Loan

The benefits of getting a startup business loans are numerous. You can utilize the money for purposes like business expansion, restocking inventory, working capital management etc.

Startup business loans from NBFCs like Lendingkart give you enough money to invest in multiple things in one go. They have a ticket value which can go up to ₹ 2 crore, helping you launch projects at a faster pace and get into the profit zone.

However, it is also important to remember that you should use the loan funds expressly for the purpose defined in your planning. Spending the loan money unwisely can result into a debt trap for your fledgling business.

What do you think about this article? Please let us know in the comments. If you need to know more about how important it is to choose the right business loan, you can read our article here. We have also written in detail about small business financing options in India and you can read about it here.