Starting Gate Financial

SGF Insights

Business Financing & Capital Structure

Educational resources for business owners navigating SBA loans, commercial real estate, equipment financing, and working capital.

Programs

SBA Loans vs. Conventional Loans: Which Fits?

SBA vs. conventional business loans compared on rate, term, down payment, speed, and guarantees — and a simple framework for choosing.

July 18, 2026Read Article →
Programs

SBA Loan Requirements: Do You Qualify in 2026?

What SBA lenders actually require in 2026 — credit, equity injection, ownership rules, and the SOP 50 10 8 changes that reshaped underwriting.

July 18, 2026Read Article →
Programs

SBA Made in America Loan: What Manufacturers Must Know

SBA Made in America loans give manufacturers a 90% guarantee and waived fees through Sept 30, 2026. Who qualifies and how to file before the deadline.

May 8, 2026Read Article →
Programs

SBA Grocery Guarantee Loan: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

The SBA Grocery Guarantee backs food supply chain loans up to $5M at 90%. See who qualifies — farmers to truckers — and how to apply before funds move.

May 8, 2026Read Article →
Programs

MCA Factor Rate vs. Interest Rate: What Owners Must Know

Factor rates hide the true cost of an MCA. Learn how to convert a factor rate to real APR and compare it honestly against loan interest.

April 19, 2026Read Article →
Programs

Term Loans for Small Businesses: Structure & How to Qualify

How business term loans are structured, what lenders require, and how to position your file for a clean approval instead of a decline.

March 23, 2026Read Article →
Programs

Startup Financing: True Costs and How to Fund It Right

What startup financing really costs, which programs fund businesses under 2 years old, and how lenders evaluate early-stage borrowers.

March 23, 2026Read Article →
Programs

Real Estate Investor Financing: Flips, Rentals & Development

Fix-and-flip, DSCR rental, and bridge loans compared — how each is structured and how investors get deals funded on deal timelines.

March 23, 2026Read Article →
Programs

Franchise Financing: How to Fund Before You Commit

How lenders evaluate franchise deals, which SBA and conventional programs apply, and how to get funded before the doors open.

March 23, 2026Read Article →
Programs

Fix and Flip Financing: What Investors Need to Know

Fix-and-flip loans are underwritten on the deal, not the borrower. How lenders evaluate ARV, draws, and exits — and how to get funded.

March 22, 2026Read Article →
Programs

Equipment Financing: What Your Business Runs On

How equipment financing preserves working capital, which structures fit your business, and what lenders look for before approving.

March 22, 2026Read Article →
Programs

Lines of Credit vs. Term Loans: Which Fits Your Business

Lines of credit and term loans solve different problems. The structural difference — and a simple test for which one fits your business.

March 22, 2026Read Article →
Programs

Merchant Cash Advances: True Cost & What Owners Should Know

Merchant cash advances offer fast capital, but the true cost is often misunderstood. Here's what business owners need to evaluate before signing.

March 16, 2026Read Article →
Programs

SBA Loan Approval: A Step-by-Step Guide

The SBA approval process step by step — documentation, underwriting, and how to position your file so lenders say yes the first time.

March 16, 2026Read Article →
Programs

The Difference Between Asset-Based Lending and Factoring

Asset-based lending and factoring both unlock cash from receivables — but cost, control, and structure differ. Which one fits your business?

November 12, 2024Read Article →