Working capital loans for small businesses
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Cover payroll, inventory and slow months without draining your account.
See my optionsKey takeaways
- Built for everyday costs, not big one-time purchases.
- Approval leans on your deposits more than on collateral.
- Expect a shorter term and a higher cost than a bank loan.
How working capital loans works
Working capital is short-term funding for day-to-day costs: payroll, rent, inventory, or the gap between doing the work and getting paid.
Most working capital is approved on your revenue and bank activity rather than collateral, which is why it moves faster than a bank loan. The trade-off is a higher cost and shorter terms, so it works best for needs that pay for themselves quickly.
Published terms for working capital loans
| Lender | What they offer | Speed | Published minimums | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fora Financial | Up to $1.5M for working capital | Decisions in as little as 4 hours, cash in as little as 24 hours after you accept | No hard credit pull to apply | Fora Financial website |
| 1West | Matches you across 50+ lenders | Offers often inside 24 hours | 6 months in business, $15K a month in revenue and 4 months of statements | 1West website |
| OnDeck term loan | $5K to $400K as a lump sum | Same-day funding possible after approval | A year in business, $100K a year in revenue, 625 FICO | OnDeck term loan website |
Checked Oct 23 2026. Lender terms change often.
When working capital makes sense
Use it when the money comes back to you quickly. Think stocking up before a busy season, covering payroll while a big invoice clears, or taking on a job that pays in 30 days. If the need is a long-term investment, a term loan or SBA loan usually costs less.
Questions owners ask
How much can I get?
Amounts are tied to your revenue. In our network, Fora Financial funds up to $1.5M. For comparison, OnDeck (not in our network) publishes term loans of $5K to $400K.
How fast is funding?
Fora quotes decisions in as little as 4 hours and funds in as little as 24 hours from acceptance. OnDeck can fund as soon as the same day after approval.
Will checking hurt my credit?
Seeing your options through Guru does not involve a hard credit pull. A lender may run one later if you choose to move forward.
Talk it through
Not sure working capital is the right tool? Guru can tell you in three questions.
Ask GuruReady to compare your funding options?
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Lending Gurus compares options and doesn’t lend. We may earn a referral fee when you apply through our links, but no lender pays for a review or a score, and partner status never changes one. Advertiser disclosure.