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When a deal won't wait, or a cash gap pops up mid-project, you don't have weeks to deal with a bank. A business bridge loan is short-term financing that covers that gap until your long-term financing comes through. It's really a short-term small-business loan used to bridge a moment, and it comes in the form of several fast financing options.
Clarify Capital's fast bridge financing is revenue-based, so approval rides on your sales and cash flow. Your loan amount depends on your revenue and cash flow, not just your credit score, which means a low score isn't a dealbreaker. We can also put cash in your hands as fast as same day.
Below, I cover how bridge loans work, when they make sense, where to get the business financing you need fast, and how to qualify.
| Option | How it works | Minimum credit score |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge / short-term loan | Lump sum with short repayment terms, 6 to 36 months | ~550 |
| Merchant cash advance | Repaid from a percentage of daily sales | ~500 |
| Business line of credit | Revolving credit you draw and reuse | ~600 |
| Invoice factoring | Advance on your unpaid invoices | N/A |
Apart from invoice factoring, which takes one to two weeks, each one moves as fast as same day when you apply through Clarify Capital.
When To Use a Fast Bridge Loan
Bridge loans earn their keep when timing matters more than anything else. Here's when most business owners use bridge loans:
Cover a cash gap
Keep operating expenses and working capital (like payroll and rent) covered while you wait on financing.
Seize an opportunity
Jump on a time-sensitive deal, like purchasing inventory in bulk at a discount.
Cover a slow season
Keep cash flow even when revenue dips for a few months.
Bridge to growth
Cover a project or expansion before long-term financing closes.
If your long-term financing is uncertain or could fall through, weigh steadier options like traditional loans or SBA loans first, since a bridge loan works best when you have a clear business plan to pay it off.
How Fast Can You Get a Bridge Loan?
Speed is the whole point. A traditional secured bridge loan can take a few days to two weeks while the lender verifies collateral, such as real estate.
Clarify Capital's revenue-based bridge financing approves much faster; funds can hit your account as fast as same day.
Where To Get a Fast Bridge Loan
You can get a bridge loan from three main types of providers, each with various financing speeds and eligibility requirements.
| Lender type | Speed | Typical requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Online and alternative lenders (including marketplaces like Clarify Capital) | As fast as same day | ~550 credit score, $10,000 monthly revenue, 6 months in business; often no collateral |
| Hard money lenders | A few days to two weeks | Collateral such as real estate; credit matters less |
| Traditional banks and credit unions | Two weeks or more | 680+ credit score, strong financials, 1 to 2 years in business |
Online and alternative lenders win on speed and flexibility; banks offer the lowest rates but rarely the timing an urgent gap needs.
Minimum Qualifications
$10,000 in monthly revenue
Your business must earn at least $10K per month in a business bank account.
500+ credit score
You can get approved with any credit score. But the better your credit rating, the better interest rates lenders offer. Your FICO score should be above 500.
Minimum six months in business
Your company should be operational for a minimum of six months. This shows business lenders that your company is sustainable and won't go out of business.
Have a business bank account
Your Clarify advisor will need three or four months of your most recent bank statements to verify income. This is just to see you're actually making $10K+ month in revenue.
Need to bridge a gap today?
Compare offers from 75+ vetted lenders with one 2-minute application. Checking your options won't affect your credit.
Bridge Your Cash Gap Fast
When timing is everything, a fast bridge loan keeps your business moving instead of stalling on a bank's schedule. Clarify Capital matches you with the right lender from a network of 75-plus, weighs your revenue over your credit, and gets you cash as fast as same day, with a U.S.-based lending advisor on your side. The application process takes about two minutes and won't affect your credit.
When you're ready, apply today.
Bridge Loan FAQs
A few questions come up again and again when business owners weigh a fast bridge loan. Here are straight answers to the ones I hear most.
What Is the Interest Rate on a Bridge Loan?
Bridge loans carry higher interest rates than a long-term loan because they're fast and short-term. With Clarify Capital, APRs start at 6% and rise from there based on your revenue, time in business, and credit score. Watch for origination fees too, since many bridge lenders charge them up front.
Do Bridge Loans Require Collateral?
Traditional commercial bridge loans usually do, so you pledge collateral such as commercial real estate. Clarify Capital's fast bridge financing is revenue-based, so approval rides on your sales and cash flow instead, which is good news for any borrower without real estate to pledge.
What Credit Score Do You Need for a Bridge Loan?
Clarify Capital works with credit scores as low as 550 for bridge financing, while traditional banks and credit unions usually want 680 or higher. Your revenue and time in business carry real weight, so a lower score isn't an automatic no.
Can You Refinance or Extend a Bridge Loan?
Most bridge loans are built to be paid off quickly, not to refinance or extend, so plan your exit before you borrow. Some allow prepayment without penalty, which lets you clear the balance as soon as your permanent financing or refinancing comes through.
Michael Baynes
Co-founder, Clarify
Michael has over 15 years of experience in the business finance industry working directly with entrepreneurs. He co-founded Clarify Capital with the mission to cut through the noise in the finance industry by providing fast funding and clear answers. He holds dual degrees in Accounting and Finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. More about the Clarify team →
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