Here are some of the best platforms offering fast-approval loans to startups in 2025:
1. Fundbox
- Funding Time: As fast as next business day
- Loan Type: Line of credit
- Amount: $1,000 – $150,000
- Best For: Startups with early revenue
Fundbox is one of the fastest options out there. Their application takes minutes, and if approved, you can get funds by the next business day. You only need six months of business activity and $100K+ in annual revenue.
2. Bluevine
- Funding Time: 24–48 hours
- Loan Type: Line of credit
- Amount: Up to $250,000
- Best For: Startups with steady cash flow
Bluevine offers flexible funding, great for covering short-term expenses or inventory. You need a business checking account and at least $10,000 in monthly revenue to qualify.
3. Lendio
- Funding Time: As fast as 24 hours (via partners)
- Loan Type: Marketplace (multiple options)
- Amount: Varies — up to $500,000+
- Best For: Comparing offers quickly
Lendio doesn’t issue loans directly, but they match you with dozens of lenders. If your startup has decent credit and some early traction, you could get multiple offers in a single day.
4. Kiva (0% Loans)
- Funding Time: 1–3 days (after funding goal met)
- Loan Type: Crowdfunded microloans
- Amount: Up to $15,000
- Best For: Community-driven or early-stage startups
If you’re just getting started and have no credit or revenue yet, Kiva is worth a look. They offer interest-free loans, funded by individual lenders who believe in your idea. You’ll need to promote your campaign, but approval is easier than traditional lenders.
5. Upstart (Personal Loan for Business Use)
- Funding Time: 1–2 business days
- Loan Type: Personal loan
- Amount: Up to $50,000
- Best For: Founders with good personal credit
Upstart evaluates your education, job history, and income — not just your credit score. You can use their personal loans for business purposes, especially during the early stages before you establish a business credit profile.
What You’ll Need to Apply (Even If You’re a Startup)
Even with fast-approval lenders, you’ll need to provide some basic documentation:
- Government-issued ID
- Social Security number / EIN
- Business checking account
- Bank statements (usually 3–6 months)
- Proof of income or revenue
- Business plan or pitch deck (in some cases)
If you don’t have a business credit score yet, lenders will base decisions on your personal credit score, so be sure to check yours in advance.
How to Increase Your Chances of Fast Approval
Even if you’re brand new, you can take steps to improve your approval odds:
- Register your business properly
Make sure your LLC or corporation is official and listed with the secretary of state. - Open a business bank account
Lenders prefer to see revenue going into a dedicated business account. - Keep your personal credit in good shape
Many lenders rely heavily on your personal score when the business is new. - Separate business and personal finances
Use accounting software and keep clean records from day one. - Apply during business hours
Some platforms use automated verification, but applying early increases the chance of same-day approval.
What to Watch Out For
While fast funding is great, it can also come with risks. Here are a few red flags and traps to avoid:
- Extremely high APRs — especially with merchant cash advances
- Daily or weekly repayments — common with short-term loans
- Hidden fees — origination, servicing, or early repayment penalties
- No clear repayment schedule — always ask how and when you’ll repay
Read the terms carefully before signing anything. Just because a loan is fast doesn’t mean it’s a good fit.
Final Thoughts
Getting a business loan as a startup used to be a dead-end unless you had rich investors or years of revenue. But in 2025, you have real options — and you can get funded fast.
Whether you need $5,000 to cover early expenses or $250,000 to fuel growth, there are lenders built specifically for startup founders like you. And if you’ve got a clear plan, a registered business, and even modest income, there’s a good chance you can get approved in 24–48 hours.
Just remember: Borrow wisely. Fund your growth, not your lifestyle. And always read the fine print.