Frequently Asked Questions about Small Business Finance
U.S. Small Business Administration
Office of Advocacy
First published September 2011
This document sketches the ecosystem or life-cycle of small business financing. The FAQ format allows users to browse through topics and learn about specific issues. Small businesses, which include startups in such sectors as information technology, service, retail, and manufacturing, have varying financial needs. The answers provided here represent averages or totals that can be used as figures and trends for differing types of firms. For further small business data and research information, visit the Office of Advocacy’s website at www.sba.gov/advocacy/847.