Startup Costs Estimator
Fill in what applies to your business. Leave blank what doesn't. See your total startup cost and exactly how much you'd need to borrow — before you talk to a lender.
Enter amounts for the costs that apply to your business
Total Estimated Startup Costs
—
Your Funding Gap
Enter your startup costs above to see your funding gap.
What Lenders Look at in Startup Financing
Before you borrow, understand what lenders evaluate — and how your startup cost estimate factors in.
Owner equity contribution
Most lenders want to see 10–30% owner equity — your own cash in the deal. Lenders view it as skin in the game. The lower your equity contribution relative to the total cost, the harder the loan is to get.
Asset-heavy vs. soft costs
Equipment, vehicles, and leasehold improvements make great collateral. Legal fees, marketing, and deposits are "soft costs" — lenders will fund them, but they prefer the majority of the loan to be backed by something tangible.
Working capital adequacy
A well-capitalized startup is a lower-risk startup. Lenders — especially SBA lenders — scrutinize whether you have enough runway to reach profitability. Too little working capital is one of the top reasons startup loans are declined.
Personal credit score
Without business revenue history, your personal credit is the primary underwriting signal. Most SBA lenders want 650+; conventional lenders want 680+. Some online lenders go lower at higher rates.
The working capital reserve is the category most first-time owners underestimate — it covers the gap between opening day and becoming cash-flow positive, which typically takes 3–12 months. Lenders will flag undercapitalized plans immediately.
Know Your Number. Now Get the Funding.
Once you have your startup cost estimate, we can show you what similar businesses typically see — and which funding structures fit a pre-revenue business.
Common Questions
Related Resources
Break-Even Calculator
Find how many units you need to sell to cover costs and see how a loan affects that.
Financial Health Checklist
Score your lender readiness across 24 factors before applying for startup funding.
Business Loan Calculator
Estimate monthly payments on the amount you'd need to borrow to launch.
Employee Cost Calculator
Calculate the true cost of hiring — wages, taxes, benefits, and overhead.