Small business & startup financing, explained
Non-recourse loans
and what they really mean.
Understand the difference between recourse, non-recourse and limited-recourse financing — from non-recourse commercial real estate and SBA loans to revenue-based financing, merchant cash advances and equipment financing — then connect with a lender in your ZIP code.
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Start with what you need — we’ll find the lender.
01
Tell us what you need
What you’re looking for, what’s in the way, and how you like to meet — phone, video call and online application.
02
We match on fit
Specialties, the people they work with, credentials and format.
03
You choose who to hear from
See why each lender fits. Pick who may contact you — nothing is shared without your say-so.
3 areas of focus
Non-recourse real estate lending, Traditional & SBA-backed lending and Alternative & revenue-based financing.
Non-recourse real estate lending
Non-recourse commercial real estate loans and DSCR & rental property loans.
2 kinds →
Traditional & SBA-backed lending
SBA loans.
1 kinds →
Alternative & revenue-based financing
Revenue-based financing, Merchant cash advances, Equipment financing, Asset-based lending and Startup & new business funding.
5 kinds →
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Where do you want to start?
Recourse vs. non-recourse loans
The core distinction every borrower should understand before signing.
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Personal guarantees & carve-outs
What a personal guarantee is, and the carve-outs that can still put personal assets at risk.
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Non-recourse commercial real estate & DSCR loans
How non-recourse CRE and DSCR financing is structured and underwritten.
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SBA loans & personal guarantees
Why SBA loans almost always require a personal guarantee, and how that compares with other options.
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Revenue-based financing
How revenue-based financing works and who it tends to fit.
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Merchant cash advances
What a merchant cash advance is, what it really costs, and the risks to weigh before signing.
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Equipment financing & asset-based lending
Financing secured by equipment, receivables or inventory instead of a blanket personal guarantee.
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Startup & small business funding options
The landscape of funding options for new and growing businesses, and which ones avoid a personal guarantee.
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Who we help
Wherever you’re starting from.
Commercial real estate investors
non-recourse commercial real estate or DSCR financing that limits personal liability
Startup founders
startup funding options with limited personal risk
Small business owners
working capital without pledging personal assets
Contractors & equipment buyers
equipment financing secured mainly by the equipment itself
Business owners considering an SBA loan
to understand SBA personal guarantee requirements before applying
Business owners weighing a merchant cash advance
to understand MCA risks and lower-cost alternatives before signing
Asset-rich business owners
asset-based lending against equipment, inventory or receivables
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Lenders, clearly labeled.
- Credentials shown plainly. Licenses, certifications and trainings are listed as each lender provides them and checked where possible.
- You stay in control. Nothing you share goes to a lender until you choose who may contact you.
- Your details stay private. We don’t sell your information.
- No miracle promises. Lenders may not promise guaranteed outcomes.
For lenders
Your business, with a back office.
A verified profile, borrowers matched to your specialties, programs and events, and a CRM to follow up.
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Every request, stage, note and follow-up in one place.
Programs & events
Sessions, group programs, workshops and courses.
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5 ZIP Codes
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8 specialties · Every referral across your 5 ZIP codes — exclusively yours
10 ZIP Codes
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8 specialties · Every referral across your 10 ZIP codes — exclusively yours
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Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is this site a lender?
No. Non-Recourse Loans is an educational website and referral directory. We explain how recourse, non-recourse and limited-recourse financing work and connect borrowers with independent lenders and brokers. We don't make loans or give legal or financial advice about your situation.
What's the difference between a recourse loan and a non-recourse loan?
A recourse loan lets the lender pursue your other assets or income if you default, while a non-recourse loan limits the lender's recovery to the pledged collateral alone. Limited-recourse loans sit in between, carved out for things like fraud or misrepresentation — often called "bad boy" carve-outs.
Do SBA loans require a personal guarantee?
Yes, in almost every case. SBA 7(a) and 504 loans generally require a personal guarantee from anyone owning 20% or more of the business, regardless of collateral pledged — ask a lender how that compares with non-recourse or alternative options for your situation.
Is a merchant cash advance the same as a loan?
No. A merchant cash advance is a sale of future receivables, not a loan, and it isn't regulated the same way lending is in every state — ask about the real cost, repayment structure and remedies like confessions of judgment before signing anything.
What is revenue-based financing?
Revenue-based financing provides capital in exchange for a percentage of future revenue until a set repayment cap is reached, rather than fixed monthly payments — terms and qualification vary widely by provider.
Can a startup get non-recourse funding?
Sometimes, though options narrow without an operating history or hard collateral — equipment financing, asset-based lending and revenue-based financing are the paths startups most often explore; a lender can explain what's realistic at your stage.
How do lenders receive referrals on this site?
Lenders and brokers can list for free, or reserve an exclusive ZIP code, a 5-ZIP territory, or a 10-ZIP territory, so borrowers in that area who ask for help are connected to them.