by | Nov 28, 2024 | Loans & Lending

Last Updated: December 4, 2024

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Are you looking for Florida’s best business loans & startup financing companies? For your small business in the Sunshine State, many banks, credit unions, and unconventional lenders are offering different loan types. After all, more than 3.1 million small businesses exist in Florida. All these businesses employ over 30% of the state’s workforce.

Understand the unique features and benefits of different loan types to empower your business. That’s how you choose the best lender for your business. Also, look into no-credit equipment financing options if you can’t get a business loan via traditional means.

Consider these 12 business loans & startup financing options in Florida to get started. Check our reviews of these lenders to decide which one’s the best option for you:

1. Swoop Funding

Swoop Funding is every Florida-based small company’s top startup financing option. It will offer entrepreneurs a range of funding solutions to meet their needs.

At Swoop Funding, you can get $5k to $500k as a small business. Even if it’s been 6 months since you started this business, Swoop will consider your loan application! It is important to talk directly to Swoop’s experts to determine your creditworthiness, though.

2. M&T Bank

After Swoop Funding, M&T Bank emerges as the best lending partner for local businesses that are in need of quick cash. At this lender, you can get a loan from $5k to $5 million. Moreover, they offer you longer repayment terms than traditional bank loans & 0 prepayment penalties for terms under 15 years.

3. Seacoast Bank

If you take out a business loan from the Seacoast Bank, the term length is usually 5 years. Also, financing is available for up to $50,000. This lender offers you fast loan closing. Moreover, you’ll get an origination fee of 0.50%. That’s how you can make your business into a local unicorn!

4. One Florida Bank

At the One Florida Bank, you’ll get ample funding for your business equipment, acquiring another business, purchasing/refinancing commercial real estate, or simply some other reason. Here are the key features of this lender:

  • Longer available terms
  • Lower equity requirements
  • No balloon or call provisions
  • Variable or fixed rate options.

5. Cogent Bank

Cogent Bank also offers 7(a) and 504 loans to local businesses. If you’re running a startup in Flordia, you can apply for hefty loans via Cogent Bank. This bank offers you the necessary funds to run your business. You can use these loans for:

  • Real estate purchases as low as 10% down
  • Construction, refinance, or improvements
  • Most of this space (more than 51%) must be owner-occupied
  • Business acquisition
  • Equipment acquisition
  • Permanent working capital
  • Expansion financing or debt consolidation

6. Citizens Bank

Another amazing option for business loans and startup financing in Florida is Citizens Bank. So, you can get a business loan or line of credit up to $250,k in 2 to 3 days. This lender lets you open a new line of credit, get a business mortgage, apply for term loans, or take out a hybrid flex loan. It’s a great way to get your business pumped with money whether it’s operating in Florida, NYC, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or Washington DC.

7. BankUnited

At BankUnited, Floridian businesses can apply for business funding below $250k or above this amount. However, you can easily get $250,000 for business funding from this lender. Moreover, your business should contact this lender for the following reasons:

  • Flexible terms from 1 to 5 years
  • One-time disbursement of funds, provided at closing
  • Fixed monthly payments, amortized over the life of the loan

8. First Federal Bank

If you need ample funding via the Small Business Administration (SBA), you should get in touch with the First Federal Bank. This bank will allow you to easily get the necessary funding needed to transform your business into a unicorn: 

  • Flexible terms from 1 to 5 years
  • One-time disbursement of funds, provided at closing
  • Fixed monthly payments, amortized over the life of the loan

9. Intercredit

So, Intercredit ensures that your Florida-based business has 24/7 access to cash to run business operations. You can get ample funding from Intercredit to purchase commercial real estate, take out loan terms, invest in SBA 504 real estate, and apply for corporate/structured financing. That is how your business vessel will stay afloat in this tiring economy.

10. Orlando Credit Union

If you need financial assistance and startup financing services in Florida from a credit union, then there is no option better than Orlando Credit Union. Here’s why you should choose Orlando CU’s services:

  • Experienced business relationship managers who understand your needs
  • Variable and fixed rate options available*
  • One-time disbursement of funds, provided at closing
  • Fixed and predictable monthly payments, amortized over the life of the loan
  • Collateral secured by business assets, vehicles, or equipment

11. First Florida Credit Union

Another credit union that can help you in this regard is First Florida. You can choose from types of loans via First Florida Credit Union. So, these loan types range from term loans to opening new lines of credit. That’s how you can make sure that your business has access to the cash needed to run your business operations successfully in the Sunshine State.

12. First Union Lending

Lastly, you should look into First Union Lending as a prime lender in Florida. So, this lender focuses on businesses established in the Florida Keys. With multiple businesses operating in this area, you can hope to get ample funding for your unique business idea here. That’s how you can get your business to see the heights of success easily & efficiently.

Florida Government Resources

Check out these government resources about business grants/funding and startup financing options in Florida:

Top Cities in Florida for Business Loans

Curious to know which cities or census-designated places (CDPs) in Florida are the best for business loans & startup financing? If you live in any of these 30 cities, then you can easily access SBA loans or other nontraditional financing means to embark on your entrepreneurial journey:

  1. Miami
  2. Jacksonville
  3. Tampa
  4. Orlando
  5. St. Petersburg
  6. Fort Lauderdale
  7. Boca Raton
  8. Palm Beach Gardens
  9. Cape Coral
  10. Hialeah
  11. Tallahassee
  12. Gainesville
  13. Sarasota
  14. Coral Springs
  15. Fort Myers
  16. Lakeland
  17. Melbourne
  18. Delray Beach
  19. Bradenton
  20. Pensacola
  21. West Palm Beach
  22. Miami Beach
  23. Port St. Lucie
  24. Doral
  25. Plantation
  26. Boynton Beach
  27. Clearwater
  28. Spring Hill
  29. Palm Coast
  30. Miramar

Conclusion

Whether you’re a startup owner or founded a well-established business years ago, you have to choose the right financing partner and lender. That’s how you keep your business vessel afloat and key commercial operations running in Florida in this economy.

Now, choose a lender that offers you flexible loan terms and interest rates. So, check their online reputation, customer service, interest rates, and other factors. If something needs to be clarified, get in touch with Sophisticated Investor to understand how to get your entrepreneurial dreams funded quickly. That’s how you can take your business to new heights of success.

Brandi Marcene

Brandi is a financial writer and entrepreneur with decades of expertise covering U.S. business and financial topics. Her work has been featured on Consumer Affairs, ASBN Small Business Network, Koho and many other top financial publications.