Home / New York City / The Bronx
The Bronx, New York · Bronx County · Credit-based startup funding
Startup Funding for The Bronx Entrepreneurs
The Bronx is a borough of 1.4 million people, home to Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Zoo, and the Hunts Point food markets that feed the city. If you have the idea but not the capital, get up to $150,000 at an introductory 0% rate for up to 24 months, approved on your personal credit.
Requires a 680+ FICO and every credit card below 50% utilization. Approval is not guaranteed. Terms set by our funding partner. Read the funding disclaimer.
Watch
How Startup Funding Works for The Bronx Founders
Read the video transcript
You have the idea. You have the plan. Maybe you've even picked out the name.
But when you walk into a bank, the first thing they ask for is two years of business history. And on day one, you don't have it.
That's the wall most New York entrepreneurs hit. Not a bad idea. Just no track record yet.
There's another way to fund a startup. It's called credit-based startup funding, and it's built for founders who are just getting started.
Instead of looking at your business history, approval is based on your personal credit.
That means no revenue required. No time in business. No bank statements. No tax returns.
Qualified founders can get up to $150,000, with an introductory 0% rate for up to 24 months.
Here's what you need. A FICO score of 680 or higher. Every credit card below 50% of its limit, with none maxed out. And a credit report pulled within the last seven days, with no credit freezes.
You can pull your report for free at annualcreditreport.com. Checking your own credit doesn't affect your score.
From Buffalo to Brooklyn, from Albany to Long Island, New Yorkers are turning ideas into businesses.
If you have the idea, the mission, and the credit, the funding may be closer than you think.
Check if you qualify today at nystartupfunding.com.
Local profile
Starting a Business in The Bronx
The Bronx is New York City's northernmost borough, with large Latino and Black communities and neighborhoods from the Grand Concourse to Fordham, Riverdale, and the South Bronx.
It is home to Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Zoo, and the New York Botanical Garden, and the Hunts Point food distribution markets supply much of the region's produce, meat, and fish.
For a new founder, the Bronx offers a large local customer base, food industry connections, and free help from the Bronx SBDC and the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.
Opportunities
Startup Ideas That Fit The Bronx
Ideas that line up with how The Bronx's economy and community actually work.
Salons and barbershops
Personal services on busy commercial streets.
Food products
Sauces, baked goods, and packaged foods made in shared kitchens.
Restaurants
Neighborhood dining for a large local market.
Childcare
Licensed childcare for working families.
Home health services
Non-medical home care for older residents.
Delivery and logistics
Services connected to the borough's food distribution hub.
Free local help
Free Business Resources for The Bronx Founders
Free and low-cost help for The Bronx founders. Use it to sharpen your plan, whether or not you apply for funding.
Bronx Small Business Development Center
Free business advising for Bronx founders, hosted at Lehman College.
Bronx Chamber of Commerce: NYC Small Business Resource Network
Connects Bronx small businesses with free support and resources.
NYC Small Business Services: Financing Assistance
Free help from the City to choose a loan, prepare documents, and connect with banks, credit unions, nonprofit lenders, and SBA lenders, plus city loan funds and the NYC Funds Finder marketplace.
NYC Small Business Services: Opening a Business in NYC
The City's free guide and services for starting a business, including licenses, permits, and help from NYC Business Solutions Centers in every borough.
SCORE New York City
Free one-on-one mentoring from experienced business owners and executives across the five boroughs, plus free workshops.
Pursuit: New York City Small Business Loans
A mission-driven lender offering SBA microloans up to $50,000, SmartLoans up to $100,000, and SBA loans for New York City businesses.
We are not affiliated with these organizations. Details can change, so confirm services and hours directly with each one.
The process
Four Steps from Idea to Funded
The whole qualification rests on your personal credit, so the paperwork is short.
Pull your credit report
Get a free copy at annualcreditreport.com. Checking your own report does not affect your score.
Confirm you fit
Make sure your FICO is 680 or higher, every credit card is below 50% of its limit, and any credit freezes are lifted.
Apply with your report
Complete the application through our funding partner and attach the report you pulled in the last 7 days.
Review your offer
Go over the amount, the length of the 0% period, and the rate that follows before you accept.
Questions
Startup Funding FAQ for The Bronx Founders
Can I get startup funding in The Bronx with no revenue?
Yes. This credit-based program does not require revenue, bank statements, or time in business. Approval rests on your personal credit: a 680+ FICO, every credit card below 50% utilization, and an unfrozen credit report pulled within the last 7 days.
Where can Bronx founders get free help?
The Bronx SBDC at Lehman College offers free business advising, and the Bronx Chamber of Commerce connects small businesses with free support through the NYC Small Business Resource Network.
What credit utilization do I need?
Each existing credit card must be below 50% of its limit, and none can be maxed out. On a card with a $1,000 limit, the balance needs to be under $500.
How much can a The Bronx business get?
Up to $150,000, at an introductory 0% rate for up to 24 months. Your actual amount depends on your credit profile and the funding partner's review. Standard rates apply after the introductory period.
New York City
Startup Funding Near The Bronx
Ready to Fund Your The Bronx Startup?
See if you qualify for up to $150,000 at 0% for up to 24 months.