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Business Acquisition Financing That Works After You Own It

We help you weigh SBA, conventional, and investor options, then structure the financing so a good business doesn't become hard to own.

Talk Through Your Financing Options

About Deal Financing

Financing a business acquisition is rarely as simple as one loan from one bank. Most deals are funded with a mix: an SBA or conventional loan, sometimes a seller note, sometimes outside investor capital, and your own equity. How you combine those pieces is called the capital stack, and it's what makes business acquisition financing different from borrowing to buy a house or a truck. Get the structure right and the business can carry its own debt. Get it wrong, and a healthy business becomes hard to own.

Buyers usually focus on getting approved, as if the only question is whether someone will lend. But the wrong structure can sink a deal that should have worked. Carry too much debt with too little cushion, and the first slow quarter turns into a crisis. Pick the wrong loan term, and the payments outrun the cash flow. Lenders aren't in the business of telling you whether a structure is good for you. They're deciding whether it's safe for them.

That's where we come in. We help you weigh your options across SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, conventional financing, sale-leasebacks, and investor capital, then build a capital stack the business can actually support. We prepare you for the conversations with lenders and partners so you show up as a serious, qualified buyer, which strengthens your position at the table. We don't lend the money. We sit on your side of it, and make sure the way you fund the deal still makes sense the morning after it closes.

Statistics

10 years is the standard repayment term on an SBA 7(a) acquisition loan, against the 5 to 7 years typical of a conventional loan. A longer term means lower monthly payments and more cash left in the business to absorb a slow quarter. The right structure buys breathing room.
1.25 is the minimum debt service coverage ratio most SBA lenders require: the business has to earn at least $1.25 for every $1 of loan payments. Structure a deal below that line and it can't reliably cover its own debt, no matter how good it looked on the offer.
34 percent of small businesses told the Federal Reserve they struggled to make their debt payments. The wrong loan, or too much of it, turns a business you could afford into a monthly strain you can't.

10

years to repay an SBA 7(a) acquisition loan

1.25

minimum debt service coverage ratio SBA lenders typically use

34%

of small businesses struggled in their payments

What to Expect

We work across four main ways to fund a deal, and we often combine them.

7a / 504 SBA Backed Loans

Government-backed loans built for business acquisitions. They typically offer longer terms and lower down payments than conventional financing, often around 10 percent down, and the SBA will lend against goodwill. We help you understand eligibility and prepare an application a lender will take seriously.

Conventional Loans

Bank financing without a government guarantee. It usually asks for stronger borrower qualifications and a larger down payment, but it can move faster and offer more flexible structures for the right buyer and the right business.

Sale Lease Back

If the business owns its real estate, a sale-leaseback lets you sell that property and lease it back, freeing up capital you can put toward the acquisition or into operations.

Investor Decks

When a deal calls for outside capital, we help you build a clear, credible investor presentation: the business overview, the financials, the deal terms, and the expected returns, so you can have a real conversation with potential partners.

Not sure how to fund the deal?

Tell us about the business you're looking at and what you can bring to the table. We'll walk you through the financing options that fit, what lenders will want to see, and how to structure it so the deal holds up after close.

15 minutes, no commitment
We work exclusively for buyers
CMAA Certified advisors

Talk Through Your Financing Options

Frequently asked questions

How do I finance buying a business?

Most acquisitions use a mix: an SBA or conventional loan, sometimes a seller note, sometimes investor capital, plus your own equity. The right combination depends on the business, the price, and what you bring to the table. We help you weigh the options and structure them so the deal works.

What is an SBA 7(a) loan, and is it good for buying a business?

The SBA 7(a) is the most common loan used to acquire a small business. It can finance up to about 90 percent of a deal, with roughly 10 percent down and a longer repayment term than most conventional loans. It's a strong fit for many lower middle market acquisitions.

How much down payment do I need to buy a business?

With an SBA 7(a) loan, the minimum is usually around 10 percent of the total deal, though lenders may ask for more on higher-risk businesses. Conventional financing often requires 20 to 30 percent. The exact number depends on the deal and your profile.

What's the difference between an SBA loan and a conventional loan?

SBA loans are partially guaranteed by the government, which lets lenders offer longer terms and lower down payments, but they come with more paperwork and eligibility rules. Conventional loans can be faster and more flexible, but usually want stronger qualifications and more money down.

Does BBA lend the money?

No. We're not a lender. We work on the buyer's side to help you compare options, prepare for lender conversations, and structure the financing so the deal works in practice, not just on paper.