Enter business details
Tip: Use your actual start date from registration or first deposit activity.
Example data table
These example rows illustrate how operating vintage and documentation can change available options.
| Profile | Months | Monthly Revenue | Credit | Statements | Tax Years | Typical Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New startup | 2 | $7,500 | 660 | 2 | 0 | MCA possible; limited LOC/term options |
| Growing operator | 9 | $22,000 | 635 | 6 | 1 | LOC and online term loan often realistic |
| Established business | 30 | $55,000 | 705 | 12 | 2 | Broader options; SBA-style readiness improves |
Formula used
- Business vintage (months): months between start date and today, rounding up when days ≥ 15.
- Risk-adjusted vintage: effectiveMonths = max(0, months − riskAdjustment), where riskAdjustment is +3 (high), 0 (medium), −1 (low).
- Estimated NOI: NOI = monthlyRevenue × (netMargin ÷ 100).
- Estimated DSCR: DSCR = NOI ÷ monthlyDebtPayments (if debt is 0, DSCR is set high).
- Eligibility score (0–100): weighted blend of vintage, credit, revenue, documentation, plus a small DSCR adjustment.
Lenders vary by program. Use the product status table as directional guidance, then confirm with a specific lender’s underwriting criteria.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your business start date from registration or first deposits.
- Add realistic monthly revenue and net margin for NOI estimation.
- Include monthly debt payments to approximate DSCR.
- Select statements and tax years you can document today.
- Click Calculate Eligibility to see product matches and next steps.
- Download CSV or PDF to share with partners or advisors.
Best practice: rerun the tool monthly using updated statements to track progress toward stronger financing tiers.
How lenders interpret business vintage
Operating time is a proxy for survival probability. Underwriting models treat each additional month as evidence of repeat customers, predictable expenses, and fewer operational surprises. Younger firms can qualify, but they often face smaller limits, higher pricing, and tighter monitoring until consistent deposits build a verified track record.
Common vintage ranges and product fit
Programs cluster around practical cutoffs that balance speed and risk. About 3 months can support cash‑flow products when revenue is steady and deposits are frequent. Six months often opens revolving options if statements are clean and balances avoid negative days. Twelve months aligns with many term loans that request tax filing and basic profitability. Twenty‑four months improves access to conservative programs that prefer longer history and larger limits.
Documentation that strengthens eligibility
Vintage alone is rarely enough; proof matters. Three to six bank statements validate deposit consistency and seasonality, while month‑to‑month summaries show trends. Filed returns add credibility by showing annualized earnings, not only recent spikes. For B2B models, invoices and contracts support factoring decisions because repayment depends on customer payers. Clean books reduce follow‑up questions and shorten decision time.
Cash flow coverage and DSCR context
This calculator estimates DSCR by comparing net operating income to monthly debt payments. A ratio near 1.00 suggests limited room for new obligations, while 1.25+ is commonly viewed as healthier coverage. Higher DSCR can improve pricing because payment stress is lower. Improve DSCR through margin gains, debt reduction, renegotiated terms, or smoothing volatility with better billing and collections.
Using the results to plan milestones
Treat the eligibility table as a roadmap. If you are short on vintage, prioritize stable deposits, maintain balances, and avoid overdrafts for 90 days. If documentation is the gap, assemble statements and complete filings before applying so underwriters can verify cash flow quickly. If credit is limiting, lower utilization, pay on time, and correct reporting errors. Re‑run monthly to track progress toward stronger tiers, and negotiate better pricing when options expand.
FAQs
What does “business vintage” mean?
It’s how long your business has been operating, usually counted in months from registration or first bank activity. Many lenders use it to screen for stability before reviewing deeper financial details.
Which start date should I use?
Use the date a lender can verify: registration, first invoice, or first deposit. If deposits began later than registration, bank activity may drive the effective start date.
Why do bank statements matter so much?
Statements show real deposits, balances, and cash‑flow swings. Clean statements with steady inflows and fewer negative days can improve eligibility, even when the business is relatively young.
What is DSCR in this tool?
DSCR is net operating income divided by monthly debt payments. A higher ratio suggests more room for new payments. Many conservative programs look for about 1.25 or higher.
How accurate is the eligibility score?
It’s a directional indicator based on common thresholds for vintage, revenue, documentation, credit, and DSCR. Lenders may weigh factors differently, so use the score for planning, not as approval certainty.
What should I improve first if I’m not eligible?
Focus on the closest gap: add months of operations, gather three clean statements, file taxes, raise credit by lowering utilization, or improve DSCR by reducing debt and boosting margins.