SBA 7(a) Program
The highest-leverage for acquisition financing
Up to $5M
- 90%
- leverage on qualifying SBA acquisitions
- Streamlined
- process, technology driven
- 98%
- approval rate on qualified buyers
Built for buyers who want maximum leverage.
Tailored capital structure
for every deal.
Three programs, each designed to fit a specific type of deal. SBA 7(a) delivers high leverage. FLEX steps in when speed or structure disqualify SBA. Capital Access handles institutional-scale transactions.
$1B+
In acquisition financing
500+
Closed transactions in ecommerce, SaaS, digital, and traditional services
3
Programs, covering all types of acquisitions
One service.
Three programs.
Most acquisition lenders can only offer the products available within their own platform. An SBA lender will evaluate the deal through an SBA lens. A private credit fund will evaluate it through a private credit lens. That approach can overlook financing options that offer a lower cost of capital, higher leverage, a faster closing timeline, or a structure that better fits the transaction. The right financing solution should be determined by the needs of the deal, not by the limitations of a single lending product.
That is why we built our financing process around the transaction rather than a single program. Every opportunity is evaluated across SBA, FLEX, and Capital Access to identify the most appropriate structure. Within 72 hours, we determine the primary financing path, identify a backup option where appropriate, and flag any deal characteristics that affect program eligibility or execution, such as transaction size, ownership structure, or closing timeline. The objective is straightforward: match the financing to the deal, not the deal to the financing.
Financing built
around the deal.
FLEX Program
NewSpeed and flexibility without SBA constraints
Up to $10M
commercial loan facilities
- Faster
- close in as little as 45 days
- Efficient
- streamlined paperwork
- Flexible
- deal structures, loan terms, and use of proceeds
Green card holders welcomed. Built for more complex deal structures and tighter timelines.
Capital Access Program
Institutional capital for serious transactions
$10M to $250M
Senior, mezzanine, preferred equity
- Curated
- we source institutional capital for your deal
- Layered
- senior, mezz, and preferred equity
- Business agnostic
- ecommerce, SaaS, and traditional businesses
For lower-middle market operators acquiring meaningful businesses. We assemble the full capital stack.
Which program fits?
- US-citizen buyer, US target, under $5M, willing to sign a PG
- ↗ SBA 7(a)
- Green card holder buyer (LPR), US target, under $5M loan need
- ↗ FLEX
- Must close inside 30 days
- ↗ FLEX
- Already at the SBA 7(a) aggregate cap on prior acquisitions
- ↗ FLEX
- Holdco or roll-up stacking multiple US acquisitions
- ↗ FLEX
- Deal size above $10M total enterprise value
- ↗ Capital Access
- Needs senior + mezz + preferred in one close
- ↗ Capital Access
- Sponsor-led LBO with management rollover
- ↗ Capital Access
- Maximum leverage on a sub-$5M US ecommerce target
- ↗ SBA 7(a)
- Competing bidders, exclusivity window under 45 days
- ↗ FLEX
- Real-estate-heavy US target with owner-occupied property
- ↗ SBA 7(a)
- Traditional US operating business above $10M
- ↗ Capital Access
What sets our
financing apart.
Six ways we support your acquisition.
Our approach
Most lenders show up after the LOI is signed. We're typically working with our clients from the beginning of their search. We evaluate every target through a lender's lens and help structure the LOI so the offer aligns with the financing from day one. By the time an offer is on the table, the financing path is already mapped — which is why our deals close faster and with fewer surprises.
50+ lending partner relationships
One-size-fits-all is the lending industry default. It's not ours. We match your deal to the right partners across community and regional banks, institutional term lenders, private credit funds, unitranche shops, and mezzanine providers. Better fit, better flexibility, better terms.
98% approval rate
The industry average across banks and non-bank lenders is 62%. The gap isn't luck, it's discipline. We vet every deal heavily on the front end, so by the time a file reaches underwriting it's already built to fund. No surprises, no disappointed buyers.
Faster loan approvals
Our approval process is built for speed. While most lenders still rely on manual handoffs, paper-heavy workflows, and underwriting queues measured in weeks, we've streamlined ours with technology that moves the file forward at every step. The result is faster decisions, faster approvals, and a closing timeline that doesn't get held up by an outdated lending process.
Deal structure built to close
Most LOIs fall apart because the structure was written without the financing in mind. Ours don't. We help our clients build offers where every component — seller notes, rolled equity, earnouts, and working capital — is sized to the target's actual cash flow. The result is fewer re-trades, fewer seller walk-aways, and deals that hold together all the way to close.
Post-acquisition assistance
The work doesn't end when the wire clears. We help our clients secure post-close working capital, lines of credit, and growth financing as the business needs it. And because no new owner should go it alone, we connect you with our network of trusted business advisors who specialize in helping operators grow businesses like the one you just bought. The closing is the beginning — we're here for what comes next.
Questions we
hear often.
How much equity do I need to buy a business?
Equity requirements typically range from 10% to 40%, depending on the financing program and the specifics of the transaction.
After signing a Letter of Intent, how long does it take to close?
Timelines vary by program, but transactions can close in as little as 60 days.
Can seller financing count toward my equity requirement?
In most cases, yes. However, buyers are required to contribute some level of personal equity in all transactions.
Is a personal guarantee required?
In most cases, yes, a personal guarantee is required as part of the financing structure.
What credit score is needed to qualify for acquisition financing?
Most lenders prefer a credit score of 660 or higher, though approval depends on the overall borrower profile, including liquidity, experience, and the strength of the business.
What can cause a business not to qualify for financing?
Common factors include insufficient cash flow on tax returns, foreign-based operations, declining year-over-year revenue, and high customer concentration.
Related
services.
M&A Advisory
Thesis, valuation, negotiation, LoI. We sit on the buy-side through diligence and close, the quiet work that turns a decent target into a financeable deal.
Explore advisory ↗Buy-Side Search
Proprietary sourcing for ecommerce, SaaS, digital, and traditional businesses. We find business acquisition opportunities that are typically not visible in the marketplace.
Explore search ↗Serious buyers get
prequalified first.
Know your budget, financing options, and competitive position before you start searching.
Indicative terms only · Final pricing subject to credit approval
Go deeper
Financing playbooks
The structures behind every deal we underwrite.
The Complete Guide to Business Acquisition Financing Options
The complete guide to business acquisition financing — SBA 7(a), Capital Access, seller financing, ROBS, home equity, and how to choose the right option.
8 min read↗
The Complete SBA 7(a) Business Acquisition Loan Guide (2026)
The complete guide to SBA 7(a) acquisition loans in 2026 — how the program works, who qualifies, equity injection mechanics, lender selection, and why deals get declined.
12 min read↗
The Complete Guide to Business Acquisition Deal Structuring
The complete guide to business acquisition deal structuring — asset vs. stock purchase, seller notes, earnouts, working capital pegs, representations, and indemnification.
7 min read↗
Middle Market Acquisitions & Capital Access Guide (2026)
The complete guide to middle market acquisitions and Capital Access financing — structures, equity requirements, diligence standards, and buyer profiles for deals above $5M.
6 min read↗