Cornerstone Capital

Founded in 2010, Cornerstone Capital has established itself as a respected player in the commercial lending space, focusing primarily on serving the needs of established small to mid-sized businesses seeking growth capital or commercial real estate financing. The firm was created by a team of former commercial banking executives who recognized that traditional banks were becoming increasingly restrictive in their lending criteria following the 2008 financial crisis, leaving many viable businesses with limited access to the capital they needed for growth and expansion. This founding mission—to bridge the gap between conventional bank financing and more expensive alternative lenders—continues to guide Cornerstone's approach today. The company has built its reputation on developing deep relationships with its clients, taking time to understand their unique business models and industry challenges, and structuring financing solutions that align with their specific needs and growth trajectories. Unlike larger institutional lenders that often apply rigid, algorithmic approaches to lending decisions, Cornerstone prides itself on its flexible underwriting process that combines rigorous financial analysis with a more holistic assessment of a business's overall health, management strength, and growth potential.

What distinguishes Cornerstone Capital in the commercial lending landscape is their sector-specific expertise and relationship-focused service model. Unlike generalist lenders, Cornerstone has developed specialized knowledge in several core industries including manufacturing, healthcare, professional services, and specialized retail and wholesale distribution. This industry expertise allows them to better assess risks and opportunities within these sectors, often enabling them to approve financing for businesses that might be declined by less knowledgeable lenders. Their relationship management approach also sets them apart—each client is assigned a dedicated lending officer who serves as their primary point of contact throughout the entire relationship, providing continuity and personalized service that contrasts sharply with the fragmented customer experience typical of larger financial institutions. Additionally, Cornerstone's position as a non-bank lender gives them greater flexibility in structuring deals, with the ability to customize terms, amortization schedules, and covenants to accommodate the specific cash flow patterns and growth initiatives of individual businesses. This combination of industry specialization, relationship focus, and structural flexibility allows Cornerstone to serve businesses that fall into the "gap" between traditional banks and high-cost alternative lenders—companies that are fundamentally sound but may not fit neatly into conventional lending boxes due to factors like rapid growth, recent ownership changes, or industry-specific financial characteristics.

Cornerstone Capital offers a diverse range of commercial financing solutions tailored to different business needs and asset types. Their commercial real estate loans range from $1 million to $25 million with terms of 5-25 years, suitable for property acquisitions, refinancing, or construction projects across various property types including office, industrial, retail, and multi-family. For businesses seeking equipment financing, they provide loans and leases from $250,000 to $5 million with terms of 2-7 years, covering everything from manufacturing equipment to specialized medical technology and transportation fleets. Their working capital solutions include term loans and lines of credit from $500,000 to $7.5 million, designed to support business expansion, acquisition financing, or general operating needs. Approval decisions for most loan products typically come within 2-3 weeks of application, with funding following 2-4 weeks after approval depending on the complexity of the transaction and documentation requirements. To qualify, businesses generally need at least 3 years of operating history, annual revenues exceeding $2 million, and demonstrated profitability or a clear path to profitability for growth-stage companies. While credit scores are considered in the underwriting process, Cornerstone places greater emphasis on cash flow adequacy, collateral quality, management experience, and industry conditions than on strict credit score thresholds. Their due diligence process is thorough, involving detailed financial analysis, site visits, and management interviews, reflecting their commitment to building lasting relationships based on a deep understanding of each client's business.