Most MCA funders require 6 months minimum time in business. Some specialty funders accept 3 months. Almost none accept under 3 months. The reason: MCA underwriting is based on demonstrated cash flow patterns over time, and a brand-new business doesn't have enough history to establish a pattern.
If you're 6+ months in with $15,000+/month in revenue, you qualify at Westline. If you're 3-6 months, you may qualify at funders like Rapid Finance. If you're under 3 months, you'll need startup-focused capital options that aren't MCAs.
Time-in-Business Thresholds Across Funders (2026)
- SBA 7(a) loans: 2+ years preferred, may go down to 12 months with strong financials.
- Bank term loans: 2+ years standard.
- Online term lenders (OnDeck, Funding Circle): 12 months minimum.
- Westline Funding: 6 months minimum.
- Rapid Finance, some specialty MCA funders: 3 months minimum.
- Under 3 months: almost no MCA access. Look at startup-focused options below.
Why MCAs Require Time in Business
An MCA is the purchase of a portion of your future business revenue at a discount. The underwriting question is: will the business continue to generate the revenue we're advancing against? Three months of bank statements showing consistent deposits answers that for an established business. A 30-day-old business doesn't have enough data to support that confidence.
Alternatives for New Businesses (Under 6 Months)
1. Personal credit and lines
Personal credit cards, HELOC against your home, or unsecured personal loans. Cheaper than most business capital but personally guaranteed entirely. The classic startup bootstrap path.
2. SBA Microloans
SBA microloans up to $50,000 are designed for early-stage businesses. Slower (60-90 days) and require business plan + projections, but materially cheaper than MCA. Available through SBA-approved CDFIs.
3. Friends and family
Documented loans from friends or family with clear repayment terms. Treat as a real business transaction with a written agreement.
4. Revenue-based financing for VC-backed startups
If you're VC-backed and post-revenue, RBF lenders (Pipe, Capchase, Founderpath) advance against recurring revenue. Typically structured for SaaS and subscription businesses.
5. 0% APR business credit cards
Chase Ink, AmEx Blue Business, Capital One Spark — 0% intro APR business cards can carry $20,000-$50,000 in spend interest-free for 12-15 months. Useful for bridging the time-in-business gap without taking on permanent debt.
When You're 3-6 Months In
You're in the gap zone. Westline's 6-month minimum is firm, but Rapid Finance and some specialty MCA funders accept 3-month-old businesses with strong revenue. Expect:
- Higher factor rates (1.35-1.50 typical at the time-in-business minimum)
- Lower advance amounts (typically capped at 50-100% of monthly revenue rather than 100-150% available to established businesses)
- More documentation requested (sometimes including business plan, owner-credit pull, and projections)
- Slightly slower funding (3-5 days rather than 24-48 hours)
Apply Once You're 6+ Months In
If you've crossed the 6-month threshold and you're doing $15K+/month in revenue, apply with Westline. 24-48 hour funding from approval. No credit pull at qualification.
Related: Full MCA requirements · Credit score requirements
Sources & References
- Bank denial and small business credit access figures cited in this piece are derived from the Federal Reserve Small Business Credit Survey. Approval rates for small business credit applications at large banks have ranged from approximately 13%-31% across recent survey years, depending on bank category and reporting period.
- Small business finance landscape and lending program data: SBA Office of Advocacy.
- Merchant cash advance industry standards and disclosure practices: Small Business Finance Association (SBFA).
- Commercial financing disclosure regulations referenced (NY FAIR Act, CA SB 1235/666/362, VA, UT) are summarized from the published statutes; consult counsel for specific compliance application.