Glossary · The loan itself
In short
Any method of funding a business that isn't a traditional bank loan, such as crowdfunding, venture capital, or private debt. Buyers should consider these if conventional loans aren't an option.
If your deal doesn't fit SBA 7(a) criteria or you need funds quickly, you might explore alternative financing. This could include seller notes (beyond the SBA's standby rules), private investor debt, or even non-SBA conventional bank loans. Understand the higher costs and different terms often associated with these options.
Defined by DealRoom.so SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
See which SBA lenders would fund your deal
Tell us the business, the price, and where you are — we'll point you to the lenders most likely to approve a 7(a) like yours and flag what trips up approval.
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