How to get a small business loan in Wisconsin

Susan Guillory's profile

Susan Guillory

January 28, 2022|6 min read

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Entrepreneurs from Madison to Milwaukee rely on business resources like financing to ensure their companies thrive. If you have a business in the “Forward” state, you might not know where to start in finding a small business loan. Not to worry. We’ve got you covered.

How a small business loan can help your Wisconsin business

Business owners always have a long list of expenses. Buy inventory. Pay the staff. Refill the toilet paper.

And then they have a wish list. The things they’d love to do if only they had the working capital. Expand to a second location. Hire more employees. Invest in marketing. Acquire another business.

In both cases, having a small business loan can provide the capital a business like yours needs to check these things off the list. A loan can, ultimately, help you make more money.

Access better funding options with a solution you can’t get anywhere else

Reduce the pain in financing with streamlined applications, instant offers and approval rates that are 3.5X higher than industry averages.

What are the pros to starting a business in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has a thriving small business community that helps foster entrepreneurship. It’s centrally located. It has a skilled workforce. There’s also a strong focus on research and development. 

In addition, there are a number of organizations that provide support to small businesses, ranging from economic development organizations to university-based ones. New and existing businesses can access these services for free from organizations listed later in this article.

Types of small business loans to choose from

You have many options when it comes to business financing in Wisconsin. Before applying for a small business loan, decide what your specific needs are.

  • How much do you need to borrow?
  • What will you use the money for?
  • Do you need all the money at once?
  • How big a monthly payment can you afford?
  • What kind of credit scores do you have?

Answering these questions will help guide you to the best financing option.

Small business loan options for Wisconsin

There are a variety of small business loans available in Wisconsin, as well as many lenders that cater to small businesses.

Term Loans

Banks and credit unions offer long-term loans at low interest rates, though they may have strict requirements. Generally, you will need good to excellent credit to qualify. Here are some options for lenders in Wisconsin.

Intermediate-Term Loan by Kapitus

Great for established businesses looking for large capital amounts.

Pros

  • Repayment term of 2-6 years for those who qualify
  • Favorable payment plans for businesses with $250k+ annual revenue
  • Specialty loan programs for medical practices.

Cons

  • Some repayment structures require weekly payments
  • Favorable terms for 3+ years time in business.

Funding Amount

$20,000 - $5,000,000

Cost

1%-1.5% per month

Repayment Terms

Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly payments for 2 to 6 years

Funding Speed

1-3 days ($200,000 or less can be wired same day)

Short-Term Loan by Credibly

As quickly as 4 hours

Pros

  • Set payments
  • Pre-qualification, which means you can pre-qualify without hurting your credit
  • With strong cashflow health, low personal credit scores still have great options here

Cons

  • Must have at least $15,000 a month in deposits
  • Repayment terms maybe shorter for some users

Funding Amount

$5,000 - $600,000

Cost

As low as a 1.11 FR

Repayment Terms

Daily & Weekly automatic debits; 6 to 15 month repayment terms

Funding Speed

As quickly as 4 hours

SBA Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration has several loan programs for you to consider, especially if you have good credit. Consider the 7(a), SBA 504, and Microloan programs from SBA lenders like these.

SBA Loan by SmartBiz

For high cost projects with long repayment. No immediate funds needed.

Pros

  • APR as low as 11.25% with monthly repayment plans up to 10 years
  • Ability to be pre-approved and review terms and conditions before needing to provide a full list of financial documents.

Cons

  • Lengthy application process (30-60 days) with lower approval odds
  • Requires more documents than other Bank Loan products.

Funding Amount

$30,000 - $500,000

Cost

11.25% - 13.25% APR

Repayment Terms

Monthly payments for 10 years

Funding Speed

1 month

Lines of Credit

If you’d prefer to have access to cash when you need it rather than getting it all at once like with a business loan, consider a line of credit. Here are some of our partners who can help.

  • OnDeck
  • Fundbox

Line of Credit by OnDeck

Product Updates: No More Monthly Maintenance Fee! Monthly Payments and Extended Repayment Terms (18 and 24 month terms) NOW AVAILABLE! A line of credit can be a great asset to businesses who need capital on hand- fast. It allows you the flexibility to draw funds when you need it, and you only pay interest on what you use. Once approved, you can draw available funds quickly and easily without having to provide additional documentation.

Pros

  • No monthly maintenance fees
  • Monthly Payments available and Extended Repayment Terms (12, 18 and 24 months) Minimal paperwork
  • As soon as same-day approval and funding sent by next business day
  • Transparent pricing
  • Use as much as you need, only pay interest on what you use
  • Access available funds with one click.

Cons

  • Not available in all states.

Funding Amount

$6,000 - $100,000

Cost

As low as 29.9% APR

Repayment Terms

12, 18 and 24 month repayment term, resets after each withdrawal - Weekly & Monthly Payments

Funding Speed

As fast as 1 day

Line of Credit by Fundbox

Nav recommends this product as a great solution for newer small businesses looking for a fast application process and access to a flexible LOC product. Bonus: When you click 'Apply now," we'll securely pass over your info, making applying with Fundbox a breeze. Only answer a few additional questions on their end and you're good to go.

Pros

  • 625 minimum personal credit score
  • No impact to credit score to apply (soft pull only)
  • No draw fees
  • Fast approval and funding, with funds available as soon as the next business day
  • Use as much as you need, only pay interest on what you use
  • Fundbox reports payment activity to all the major commercial credit bureaus via the Small Business Financial Exchange (SBFE), which can help strengthen a business's credit profile.

Cons

  • Must have a business checking account with a minimum balance of $500
  • May require large weekly payments (0.4% - 0.7% of the original draw amount per week) due to the short repayment duration.

Funding Amount

$1,000 - $150,000

Cost

As low as 4.99%*

Repayment Terms

12 or 24 weeks

Funding Speed

If approved, funds arrive as soon as the next business day.

Commercial Real Estate Loans

Looking to buy office space, retail space, or rental property? A commercial real estate loan can help.

Business Credit Cards

Another option for short-term financing is small business credit cards. These can provide flexible financing and for most cards you don’t need to have a certain time in business or minimum business revenues to qualify. You just need good personal credit scores and sufficient income from all sources (including personal income).

100+ business credit cards in one click

Business credit cards can help you when your business needs access to cash right away. Browse your top business credit card options and apply in minutes.

How to qualify for a small business loan in Wisconsin

There are certain eligibility requirements lenders look for in small business , so carefully read what the lender you’re applying with looks for in an application.

Some lenders require specific minimum credit scores. Some check personal credit scores, some check business credit scores, and a few check both. Banks and SBA lenders want you to have good to excellent credit, while online lenders may be less stringent.

Lenders want to make sure your business has sufficient cash flow to repay the loan and that means they may require certain minimum revenues; either annual revenues or average monthly revenues for recent months. You may have to provide business bank account statements and/or tax returns to verify your revenue.

The loan application process may be short and sweet, in the case of applying for an online loan, or long, if you’re going through a bank or SBA lender. If you’re applying for a large amount of money (like $300,000 or more), you may need to provide a business plan and financial statements.

Small business grant options for Wisconsin

In addition to small business loans, you may also be able to apply for certain grants as an entrepreneur.

Federal and local governments, as well as corporations and nonprofits, offer grant programs to small business owners that do not have to be repaid.

Launch La Crosse Small Business Resiliency Fund

If your business is located in La Crosse, you may be eligible to receive a grant of up to $5,000 with the Small Business Resiliency Fund. Applicants must have a small business with no more than 30 employees in La Crosse county.

Nav’s Small Business Grant

Nav also has a grant for small businesses (nationwide). Each quarter, we give away $10,000 to one lucky business and $5,000 to the runner-up. Apply here.

Amber Grant

If you’re a woman who runs a business, apply for the Amber Grant. Each month, one business receives $10,000, and there’s an annual $25,000 award.

Additional Resources for Wisconsin Small Businesses

Beyond financial assistance, you can also find free business resources in Wisconsin.

Small Business Development Center

The Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) can help you launch or grow a business through consulting, education, and events.

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation 

The WEDC provides grants, training programs, and loans to Wisconsin businesses. It also holds networking and education events, and provides funding and support to minority businesses.

Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation

If you’re a female business owner, the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) is a great resource. Not only does it provide access to capital but also offers free business and financial education for established businesses and start-ups. 

Entrepreneurs often feel alone on their journey to growing a business, but if that’s the case, you don’t have to. With so many resources, both to find financing and to gain the knowledge you need to be a savvy entrepreneur, Wisconsin is a great place to do business!

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    Susan Guillory

    Susan Guillory is an intuitive business coach and content magic maker. She’s written several business books and has been published on sites including Forbes, AllBusiness, and SoFi. She writes about business and personal credit, financial strategies, loans, and credit cards.