Why businesses take a business loan
Imagine a business loan as a power-boost to the company, it is as though you have a turbocharger, you need to go faster. In most cases, businesses borrow loans for two key reasons: on one hand, to handle short-term cash flow needs, and on the other, to support long-term growth plans. There are times when it is to purchase raw materials of an order of large size; there are other occasions when it is to purchase machinery, a new store or a sales force.
Short-term needs vs long-term growth
Short-term loans, for instance, can help you handle sudden payroll or inventory spikes. Meanwhile, long-term loans are great for buying new equipment or setting up a new location. They are both good, however, they tend to demand different loan products.
Common uses: inventory, payroll, expansion
To sustain seasonal inventory to launching a new location or developing research and development a business loan will assist in filling the gap between the money you have now and the income you are likely to get tomorrow.
Types of Business Loans
There is no single business loan there is an umbrella term of a lot of products. And let us deconstruct the most prevalent ones.
Working Capital Loans
So, whenever you face short-term cash flow issues, a working capital loan can help you fill those gaps and keep your business running smoothly. When orders are received and invoices are yet to be paid, working capital keeps the operations running.
When to use working capital
In other words, use it for essential short-term needs like wages, raw materials, supplier payments, and minor operational costs.
Term Loans
Basically, a term loan gives you a lump sum that you pay back over time usually between 1 and 7 years, or sometimes even longer if your business requires it. Moreover, they’re perfect for funding big goals like purchasing assets, expanding your store, or executing a planned capital expenditure (capex) project.
Short-term vs long-term term loans
Short term (less than 12 months) meets short term needs; long term (years) meets long term investments such as machines.
Overdrafts & Cash Credit
Usually, it’s linked to your business account, giving you the flexibility to repay what you borrow and reuse the funds whenever necessary just like a revolving credit line.
Invoice Financing & Factoring
Invoice financing releases cash in receivables when the clients are late in payments. Essentially, factoring works by collecting your pending invoices and then selling them to a lender, so you can access quick cash without waiting for client payments.
Equipment Financing
Loans are secured by a particular asset usually the machine itself.
Startup Business Loan / MSME-specific options
There are numerous lenders and government programs where products are available to startups and MSMEs that have lax collateral requirements or incentives based on credit.
Business Loan Requirements: What Lenders Look For
The lenders will want to observe that you are able to repay. That’s it in plain language. Here’s how they judge that.
Documentation checklist
- Identification information and address documents (owners/directors)
- Registered business (GST, Udyam, incorporation)
- Bank statements (6–12 months)
- Audited statements (Where present) and ITRs.
- KYC for business and owners
- Invoices, contracts or purchase orders (where applicable).
Financial health and ratios
Lenders are examining cash flow, gross margins, debt-service coverage ratio (DSCR) and profitability trends. A good cash flow and reasonable debt burden are good omens.
Credit score and credit history
Individual and business credit scores are important – defaults or payment late mean less of your approval chances, and higher rate charges.
Business Loan Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility is different, yet there are certain rules which are repeated.
For established MSMEs
- Minimum age is 1 to 3 years (dependent on the lender)
- Minimum turnover limits may be used.
- Good bank statement and good credit scores.
For startups (including 6-month-old startups)
Loans may be obtained still by short vintage startups via:
- Guarantees or creditworthiness of founder.
- Collateral or third party guarantees.
- This includes fintech lenders and NBFCs which take in alternative credit data (GST inflows, platform sales).
- Government supported (where possible) schemes.
How to Get a Loan for a 6-Month-Old Startup in India
Yes — it’s possible. The creativity and good documents will be required.
Special routes: NBFCs, fintechs, government schemes
Banks usually need older fashioned, however NBFCs and digital lenders look at live cash flows and platform sales (think e-commerce sellers). Credit guarantee programs that eliminate the heavy collateral requirement are occasionally provided by government schemes to startups/MSMEs.
Building a lending-ready pitch and documents
- Preparation of a lean business plan: revenue model, runway, burn rate.
- Offer 6 months of bank statements, GST filings (where applicable), invoices and customer contracts.
- Demonstrate traction: number of monthly active users, increase in revenue or signed LOI with one of the big clients.
Collateral vs unsecured options
In case you are unable to demonstrate two years profit, look at secured loan (equipment, property) or provide founder personal guarantee. Moreover, you can choose unsecured options if you don’t want to put up any collateral though, of course, these tend to carry higher interest rates.
Lenders to Consider: HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra, Bajaj Finserv, Shriram Finance
Various lenders offer themselves to different businesses.
Quick lender snapshot (who they serve best)
- HDFC Bank — good in case of established MSMEs, competitive products, network of branches.
- ICICI Bank — Firstly, ICICI Bank features a wide product range covering working capital, term loans, and MSME-focused services.
- Kotak Mahindra Bank — In addition, Kotak Mahindra Bank provides flexible options designed especially for small businesses, making it easier for them to grow and manage their finances smoothly.
- Bajaj Finserv — NBFC that is faster in the digital process, suitable in the small credit, and consumers of speed.
- Shriram Finance — while Shriram Finance excels in rural and semi-urban MSME and asset financing.
Loans Based on the Scale of Your Business
Bring the match product just as you match shoes to the ground.
Micro businesses
Microfinance, digital lenders, small equipment loans, small ticket loans; work capital, small equipment loans.
Small businesses
Other short-term loans, invoice discounting, and overdrafts are effective because the operations are stable.
Medium businesses
Big term loans, capex loans, and systematizing working capital (with cash flow models).
Large businesses
Syndicated loans, long term loans and covenantal structured financing.
Case Study: How a 6-Month Startup Can Use Working Capital to Scale
This simple injection helps turn a growth bump into sustainable momentum.
Suppose that you are the D2C FMCG startup, 6 months old, whose orders are growing, but the marketplace payouts are delayed.
- Problem: stuck up cash in receivables, suppliers who want to be paid sooner.
- Solution: 6 months working capital against invoices with an NBFC on short-term basis.
- Outcome: early payment supplier discounts, increase in margins (10 percent), and capability to take bigger orders.
This mere injection is a way of making a growth bump sustainable.
Conclusion
Business loan is an ingredient that can make the difference between stagnation and size. Although you may require a working capital injection or a term loan to finance a capital expenditure, knowledge on the types of products, business loan requirements and lender expectations will guide the right direction. In the case of a business loan for startup, even a six-month-old, there are creative solutions (NBFCs, fintechs, government programs, founder guarantees) that make it possible. Always match loans to assets or requirement, be able to offer banks such as HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, NBFCs like Bajaj Finserv and niche funders like Shriram Finance and use borrowed money wisely. Borrowing is a joint venture: invest it well, and it contributes to your development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What documents are mandatory for most business loan applications?
Ans) Generally: business registration (GST/ Udyam/ROC), 6-12 months bank statements, owners KYC, ITRs / audited accounts (Where available) as well as invoices/purchase orders. Depending on the product, lenders can demand more documents.
Q2: Can a 6-month-old startup get a business loan in India?
Ans) Yes, definitely! The longer your business has been around, the better your chances with banks. Plus, NBFCs and fintech lenders also look at things like your cash flow, sales performance, and business traction to assess your eligibility. Collateral or a founder guarantee will also assist. In addition, many government programs now help make lending easier by guaranteeing credit, so businesses can access funds with greater confidence and less hassle.
Q3: What’s the difference between working capital loans and term loans?
Ans) Work capital loans are short-term facilities (day to day operations (inventory, payroll). Term loans refer to the amount of lump sums charged as assets or long-term projects that can be recovered over months or years.
Q4: Which lenders are good for startups and MSMEs?
Ans) There are well-established banks such as HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank that cater to the MSMEs. Bajaj Finserv and Shriram Finance (NBFCs) can be handy in order to lend out small amounts of money and provide more lenient lending policies. Decide depending on your vintage, size of your ticket and the ability to document.
Q5: How can I improve my business loan eligibility quickly?
Ans) Enhance the bank statement patterns (stable inflows), lower the personal liabilities, clear-out default, show forthcoming contracts or POs, and assume collateral partly. A sales traction is powerful to demonstrate.
