Glossary · The loan itself
In short
A short-term loan used to "bridge" a gap in financing, often until a more permanent loan is secured. Buyers might encounter this if they need quick capital before a long-term SBA loan funds, which is rare for acquisitions.
While common in real estate, bridge loans are unusual for 7(a) business acquisitions, as the SBA loan typically funds the entire project at once. If considered, understand the high interest rates and short repayment terms. For a 7(a) deal, ensure your bridge loan is permissible and doesn't complicate your SBA financing.
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.
Free · No documents · Usually same-day