Every federal, state, and local program Carlos qualifies for — with dollar amounts, eligibility criteria, application timelines, and the strategy to access $200K–$600K in Year 1.
| Program | Max Amount | Rate | Term | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBA Microloan | $50,000 | 6–9% | Up to 6 years | Working capital, tools, vehicle down payment |
| SBA 7(a) | $5,000,000 | Prime + 2.25–2.75% | 7–25 years | Equipment, real estate, large working capital |
| SBA 504 | $5,500,000 | Fixed (below market) | 10–20 years | Real estate, heavy equipment |
| Community Advantage | $350,000 | Prime + 2.75% | 7–10 years | Underserved markets, minority-owned |
| SBA 8(a) Program | Sole-source to $4.5M | N/A (contracts) | 9 years | Federal set-aside contracts |
| SBA Surety Bond Guarantee | $6.5M per contract | N/A (bond guarantee) | Per project | Public works bonding when too new for market |
New contractors cannot get bonded through traditional surety companies because they lack financial history. The SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program solves this: SBA guarantees up to 90% of the bond, reducing the surety’s risk to almost zero. This means Carlos can get bonded for projects up to $6.5M with the SBA backing — even as a 4-month-old company. Apply through any SBA-approved surety (Western Surety, Travelers, Liberty Mutual). Processing: 2-3 weeks.
| Program | What It Does | Amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| CalOSBA Loan Guarantee | Guarantees 80-95% of bank loan | Up to $20M | CA small business, bankable project |
| IBank Small Business Finance | Direct loans & guarantees | $500K–$10M | CA business, job creation |
| CA Capital Access Program (CAP) | Portfolio insurance for lenders | Up to $2.5M | Any CA small business |
| GO-Biz Grants | Various incentive programs | Varies | New businesses in target industries |
| CA Dream Fund | Micro-grants for underserved | Up to $10,000 | Low-income, immigrant, minority entrepreneurs |