Key Takeaways
- Bankable funds H-1B cybersecurity businesses up to $5M based on documented revenue
- No green card, no permanent residency, no citizenship required for funding
- SBA March 2026 rule eliminated H-1B owners from all SBA 7(a) loan access
- 48-hour funding decisions — faster than any bank or SBA lender
- Check your Bankability Score in 30 seconds — no SSN upload
Cybersecurity is the fastest-growing segment of IT services, with the global market expected to reach $300 billion by 2026. H-1B holders with cybersecurity backgrounds — information security officers, penetration testers, and SOC analysts who built their own firms — operate businesses with extremely high margins and sticky customer relationships.
The H-1B cybersecurity market is concentrated among Indian-born and Chinese-born security professionals who transitioned from corporate CISO or security engineer roles to building MSSP (managed security services provider) businesses. These firms generate retainer-based revenue from vulnerability assessments, SOC monitoring, incident response, and compliance consulting.
The SBA March 2026 rule eliminated H-1B cybersecurity businesses from 7(a) loan access. Bankable provides a direct path to revenue-based funding without any citizenship test.
Capital Uses for H-1B Cybersecurity Operators
- SOC Technology Stack: SIEM platforms, threat intelligence subscriptions, and endpoint detection tools required for managed SOC service delivery.
- Compliance Practice Buildout: SOC 2, ISO 27001, and PCI-DSS consulting practice requires certification, training, and tool investment before client billing.
- Team Expansion: Hiring certified security analysts (CISSP, CEH, OSCP) who command $90,000 to $150,000 salaries before their billable hours cover their cost.
- Incident Response Infrastructure: Forensic tools, legal counsel retainers, and crisis communication systems for IR service delivery.
- Client Acquisition and Proposal Costs: RFP responses for enterprise security contracts require extensive time and sometimes third-party assessment costs.
| Funding Source | H-1B Eligible? | Max Amount | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) — March 2026+ | No — US citizens only | $5M | 30–90 days |
| Traditional Banks | Rarely | Varies | 3–6 weeks |
| Bankable | Always yes | $5M | 48 hours |
For the full SBA alternative landscape for H-1B business owners, see our SBA alternative guide. Check your Bankability Score in 30 seconds to see your preliminary funding range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Bankable funds cybersecurity businesses based on documented revenue. No green card or permanent residency required.
Effective March 1, 2026, the SBA requires 100% US citizen ownership. All H-1B business owners are excluded from SBA 7(a) loans.
Minimum $20,000 in monthly revenue for initial consideration. Businesses at qualifying revenue levels access initial tranches of $50K to $500K.
48-hour decision from completed application. The Bankability Assessment at /bankability-score/ gives a preliminary range in 30 seconds.
No. Bankable funds H-1B holders as sole applicants based on business revenue alone.
No. Bankable has zero residency requirements. H-1B, L-1, O-1, and other work visa holders all qualify for funding assessment based on business revenue alone.
Effective March 1, 2026, the SBA requires 100% US citizen or national ownership for all 7(a) and 504 programs. H-1B holders are completely excluded regardless of revenue or credit history.
48 hours from completed application. The Bankability Assessment at /bankability-score/ takes 30 seconds and gives a preliminary range immediately.