Startup Funding Guide: How to Fund a New Business in 2026
Under 6 months or pre-revenue? Every realistic option, and how to unlock more.
Oct 24, 2026
Chris Scarfo
We may earn a fee from partner links.
Full disclosure below.
Co-founder, Lending Gurus
Chris Scarfo is the co-founder of Lending Gurus, an AI guidance platform that helps small business owners understand their financing options before they ever talk to a lender. He started it in 2024 as a small business lending brokerage.
Before Lending Gurus, Chris spent ten years in business banking at Wells Fargo, BlueVine, Bank of America and U.S. Bank. At BlueVine he funded an average of about $1M a month in lines of credit and term loans for small business owners. At Bank of America he brought in about $10M a year in new deposits and $5M a year in new lending, and at his peak ranked first in the San Francisco Bay Area and in the top 10 nationally. At U.S. Bank he led a business banking portfolio across several products as a senior relationship manager.
He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and is a father of three.
Articles by Chris
Medical and Dental Practice Financing: Equipment, Buyouts and Cash Gaps
How medical and dental practice financing works: equipment, practice buyouts, SBA 7(a) loans and covering the wait on insurance and Medicare payments.
Oct 23, 2026
SBA Express Loan vs 7(a) Loan: Which One Fits Your Business?
SBA Express vs 7(a): compare loan size, SBA guarantee, collateral, revolving credit and review steps, and see which fits your small business in 2026.
Oct 23, 2026
Equipment Financing Requirements: What Lenders Look For
The credit, revenue, time in business, down payment, and documents lenders check for equipment financing.
Oct 22, 2026
How to Estimate Monthly Business Loan Payments
Estimate monthly business loan payments with one formula, worked examples, and the rules for lines of credit and factor rate products. Plan before you apply.
Oct 22, 2026
Trucking Business Funding: Trucks, Factoring and Payment Gaps
How trucking business funding works for owner operators and small fleets: truck financing, freight factoring for broker payment gaps and lines of credit.
Oct 21, 2026
How to Check Your Business Credit Report in 2026
Learn how to check your business credit report with Experian, Dun & Bradstreet and Equifax, what to look for, and how to fix errors before you apply for funding.
Oct 21, 2026
MCA vs Line of Credit: Which Is Better for Your Business?
Merchant cash advance vs line of credit: how each works, how the costs compare, and when each one makes sense.
Oct 20, 2026
SBA Loan Programs Compared: 7(a), 504, Express and Microloans
A plain guide to SBA loans: 7(a), 504, Express and Microloan programs compared, requirements, rates and fees, documents, and a glossary.
Oct 20, 2026
What Is a UCC Lien on a Business Loan?
A UCC lien is a public claim a lender files on your business assets as loan collateral. Learn how blanket liens work, what they cost you, and how to remove one.
Oct 20, 2026
How we make money
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.