SBA Alternative Financing for Business Acquisitions
Business Acquisition Financing

SBA Alternative Financing: How To Buy Without SBA

SBA is not “bad.” It is often slow, eligibility-bound, and documentation-heavy. If your deal has a real closing timeline, you need a non-SBA capital stack that still clears lender underwriting. Start with How It Works.

Buyers ask the same question when SBA is not available: “What else is bankable?” The answer is not one magic product. It is a structured stack that fits the target’s cash flow, assets, and purchase agreement terms. This page explains the options and how Financely runs execution through closing.

If you want us to run this process, submit your transaction through Submit Your Deal. If you need a lender-ready pack first, see Deal Packaging Services.

Why SBA Falls Away In Real Deals

Timing And Process

  • Closing schedules that do not tolerate a slow approval chain.
  • Seller pressure and competitive auction dynamics.
  • Complex ownership structures and addbacks that need deeper diligence.

Eligibility And Fit

  • Deal size, structure, or borrower profile falls outside the box.
  • Industry restrictions, foreign ownership constraints, or collateral gaps.
  • Targets with uneven earnings, concentration risk, or margin volatility.
Red flag. Any party promising “100% financing” with no equity, no diligence, and no lender questions is selling a story, not financing.

What Non-SBA Lenders Actually Underwrite

Underwriting Focus What Gets Tested What Breaks Deals
Cash Flow Quality Normalized EBITDA, margin stability, customer retention, addback support Weak addbacks, one-time earnings, customer churn, unstable pricing power
Collateral And Structure Asset coverage, lien package, working capital mechanics, covenants Over-leverage, unclear collateral, aggressive earnouts, loose purchase agreements
Operating Risk Customer concentration, supplier dependency, key-person risk, management depth Single customer dependence, no management bench, fragile vendor base
Equity And Alignment Buyer equity contribution, seller rollover or note, post-close liquidity No equity, no seller support, thin working capital at close

Financing Options

Use the menu to view the structures. This keeps the page short while still giving full detail.

Acquisition Financing Menu
Select a structure to view terms and fit
Cash Flow Term Loan

Senior secured debt sized to stable cash flow. Best for profitable targets with clean financials and a credible operating plan.

  • Works when earnings are stable and addbacks are supported
  • Usually paired with buyer equity and some seller support
  • Covenants and reporting are part of the deal

How Financely Executes

1) Submission

We review the target, the purchase agreement status, and the capital need. Submit through Submit Your Deal.

2) Indicative Structure

We issue an indicative financing term sheet path with required documents, process controls, and target counterparties.

3) Packaging And Distribution

We produce lender-ready materials and run distribution. Outcome is term sheets or written declines.

4) Closing Coordination

We coordinate lender diligence workflows, term sheet alignment, and closing steps through regulated counterparties.

Finance A Business Acquisition Without SBA

If you have an LOI, APA, or a near-term closing timeline, submit the deal and we will respond with a structured path to financing.

FAQ

Can I buy a business with no equity?

In most legitimate structures, some equity or seller support is required. If someone says otherwise, treat it as a risk signal.

How fast can non-SBA financing close?

Speed depends on financial quality, documentation readiness, and purchase agreement terms. Clean packaging compresses timelines.

Does a seller note reduce the equity requirement?

Often yes, if it is subordinated and structured to satisfy senior lender rules and covenant constraints.

What documents do you need to start?

LOI or APA, historical financials, interim statements, customer and vendor concentration, and a summary of purchase terms.

Do you provide the loan directly?

No. Financing is provided by third-party funders and regulated counterparties, subject to underwriting and compliance.

What is the first decision point?

Whether the target’s cash flow and documentation support senior credit. If that fails, the stack becomes expensive or unworkable.

Disclaimer: Financely operates as a transaction-led capital desk. Financing is subject to third-party underwriting, compliance, sanctions screening, and documented terms. Nothing on this page is a commitment to lend or an offer of securities.