Structuring the 10%

The rule

For a startup or a complete change of ownership, SOP 50 10 8 requires a minimum equity injection of 10% of total project costs — purchase price plusfees, working capital, and closing costs. On a $1.5M all-in acquisition, that's $150,000. Budget against the all-in total; 10% of the purchase price alone comes up short at closing.

Run your 10% against total project costs.

What counts toward the 10%

The SBA accepts more sources than most buyers expect.

How the money is verified

Verification tightened in 2025: lenders now prove both source and deployment. Expect roughly two months of statements for each account the injection draws from, plus wires, cancelled checks, and settlement statements showing the money moved before disbursement. Sudden large deposits trigger source questions every time.

Your real check size

Budget past the injection: add the SBA guaranty fee (at statutory maximums for FY2026 — roughly 2–3.5% of the guaranteed portion), packaging and closing costs, and a post-close working capital cushion. On a $1.5M deal, the realistic all-in figure runs $175–200K once everything stacks on the $150K injection. Our deal-level worksheets compute this number per listing.

When less than 10% is possible

Two exceptions exist, both in partial deals, and both carry the 2025 all-owners-guarantee rules. Partial changes of ownership can go below 10% when the business's post-transaction debt-to-worth ratio is no more than 9:1. Buyouts between existing partners can skip the injection entirely when the remaining owners certify 24+ months of active participation at the same or increasing ownership and the 9:1 test holds.