: As of 2025, the SBA allows the entire 10% down payment to be financed by a seller note, provided it is on "full standby" (no payments made to the seller) for at least 24 months.
If a business has significant tangible value, you can use those assets to fund its own purchase. can i buy a business with no money down
The Reality of Acquiring a Business with No Money Down Buying a business with no money down is entirely possible, though it requires a shift from traditional financing to creative deal structuring. While conventional wisdom suggests you need significant capital, savvy buyers often acquire profitable operations by leveraging the business’s own assets, its future cash flow, or the seller’s willingness to wait for payment. 1. Seller Financing: The Most Common Path : As of 2025, the SBA allows the
: If you already own a business and are acquiring a competitor for expansion, some lenders may offer 100% financing based on the strength of your existing company's balance sheet. 3. Leveraged and Asset-Based Strategies its future cash flow
: You might acquire a business for $0 cash by simply taking over its existing liabilities and loan payments. 4. Earn-Outs and Equity Partnerships
: You pay a portion (or all) of the purchase price later, based on the business hitting specific performance targets.
Sometimes "no money" means bringing in someone else's money or trading future profits for ownership.