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Despite the characteristic innovation, agility and hard work of entrepreneurial startups and small businesses, their nature of being newer, less capitalized or less established can impede their ability to secure the credit they need. That’s why it’s important for startups and small businesses to understand their options for financing the equipment needed to operate and grow their businesses.

Acquiring equipment through leasing and other financing methods is more flexible and customizable to meet unique business needs than most funding options. This makes equipment finance a perfect fit for startups and small businesses, both of which may have trouble getting traditional bank loans. With equipment finance, there's no jumping through the same hoops as with commercial and industrial loans. For example, typically most lenders want to see two years of financials, which startups, by definition, don't have.

Equipment finance is a $1 trillion industry in the United States, and it is easy to find industry participants who customize their service offerings by end user industry, equipment type, ticket size or end user business size. There are equipment finance companies that offer special programs for startups, and companies that specialize in services for small and mid-size businesses. The important thing to remember is that equipment finance companies offer flexible options that help equip all types of businesses for success.

Key Benefits for Unique Business Needs

In addition to current finance market conditions, the many benefits of equipment financing provide any number of reasons why it is an advantageous option for businesses. The following are among the most compelling benefits for the financial and operational needs of startups and small businesses:

• 100 percent financing with no down payment

  Unlike with most traditional lenders, it is possible to arrange 100 percent financing of equipment with no down payment. This is a critical benefit since cash flow is often a concern for small and new businesses. Holding on to cash, or working capital, enables it to be used for other areas of the business, such as expansion, improvements, marketing or R&D.

• Elimination of risk of ownership

  A business just starting out can use equipment financing to help mitigate the uncertainty of investing in a capital asset until it achieves a desired return, increases efficiency, saves costs or meets other business objectives.

• Expense planning for cash flow and business cycle fluctuations

  Financing equipment helps maintain cash flow and greater certainty in budgeting by setting customized rent payments to match cash flow and even seasonal cash flows.

• Meet the business's equipment needs

  Leasing, loans or other financing enables businesses to acquire more and better equipment than they could have without financing. It is more feasible to make monthly payments than to make large cash outlays for equipment up front.

• Updated technology/Obsolescence management

  To be on the cutting edge and be competitive, businesses need access to new technology. Certain leasing finance programs allow for technology upgrades and/or replacements within the term of the lease contract. Also, since the lessor owns the equipment, it bears the risk of the equipment becoming obsolete.