Horizon Funding

Founded in 2012, Horizon Funding established itself as a response to the financing gap left by traditional banks in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, when access to small business funding became increasingly restricted due to tightened lending criteria. The company's founders, who came from backgrounds in commercial banking and financial technology, recognized that many viable small businesses with strong growth potential were being left without access to the capital they needed simply because they didn't fit the increasingly rigid requirements of conventional lenders. This founding vision—to provide accessible financing solutions for small and medium-sized businesses that were underserved by traditional institutions—continues to guide Horizon's approach today. While many alternative lenders have entered the market with a purely transactional focus, Horizon has differentiated itself by maintaining a commitment to relationship building alongside technological innovation, creating a hybrid model that leverages digital efficiency without sacrificing the personalized understanding that small business owners value. This approach has allowed them to grow steadily over the past decade, expanding from their initial focus on short-term working capital to a more comprehensive suite of funding options that address diverse business needs.

What distinguishes Horizon Funding in the alternative lending space is their consultative approach to business financing and their balanced underwriting methodology. Unlike purely algorithm-driven lenders that make decisions based solely on credit scores and basic financial metrics, Horizon employs a more holistic evaluation process that considers the complete picture of a business's health and potential. Their funding specialists are trained to understand the unique dynamics of different industries and business models, enabling them to recognize opportunities that might be overlooked by strictly formulaic assessment methods. This consultative process begins with an initial discovery call where specialists work to understand the business's specific needs, challenges, and goals, rather than immediately pushing them toward a predetermined product. This approach allows them to recommend the most appropriate financing solution—whether it's a term loan, equipment financing, or a merchant cash advance—rather than forcing businesses into funding structures that may not align with their cash flow patterns or growth objectives. Additionally, Horizon has built strong partnerships with a network of lenders, allowing them to offer multiple options for businesses that might qualify for different types of financing, creating a marketplace approach that increases approval rates while ensuring competitive terms.

Horizon Funding offers several financing products tailored to different business needs and situations. Their term loans range from $25,000 to $500,000 with repayment periods of 1-5 years, designed for established businesses seeking growth capital or refinancing existing debt. For businesses needing equipment, their equipment financing program provides funding from $10,000 to $250,000 with terms aligned to the expected useful life of the assets being purchased. Their merchant cash advances, which range from $10,000 to $250,000, offer a more flexible repayment structure based on a percentage of daily sales rather than fixed monthly payments, making them suitable for businesses with variable or seasonal revenue patterns. Approval decisions typically come within 24-48 hours for most products, with funding following within 1-3 business days after all documentation is complete. To qualify, businesses generally need at least one year of operating history, minimum monthly revenue of $10,000, and a personal credit score of at least 580 for the business owner, though these requirements vary somewhat based on the specific funding product and can be offset by strengths in other areas. The application process begins with a short online form followed by a consultation with a funding specialist, who guides the business owner through the options and documentation requirements. While their rates are typically higher than traditional bank loans—ranging from 8% to 25% depending on the product and risk assessment—they offer accessibility to businesses that might not qualify for conventional financing and provide much faster funding timelines than traditional institutions.