Key Takeaways
- Biotech and life science businesses owned by L-1 holders qualify on research service revenue
- CRO, CDMO, and diagnostic testing revenue are primary qualification metrics
- Lab equipment financing is asset-backed at favorable rates
- SBA closed to L-1 holders — Bankable funds life science businesses on revenue
- Decisions in 48 hours, $100K to $5M
The biotech and life science sector is one of the most significant recipients of L-1 visa transfers in the United States. Pharmaceutical giants, medical device companies, research institutions, and contract research organizations routinely transfer scientists, research directors, and technical specialists via L-1 to their US operations. Many of these specialists — particularly those with PhDs in biology, chemistry, or pharmaceutical sciences — eventually establish their own US research businesses: contract research organizations (CROs), contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), specialty diagnostic labs, or bioinformatics companies.
These businesses generate revenue from research service contracts, diagnostic testing volume, analytical services fees, and licensing agreements. Their capital needs are specific: laboratory equipment (mass spectrometers, PCR cyclers, cell culture systems) is expensive and asset-backed, and working capital for supplies, reagents, and staffing gaps between contract milestones is recurring.
Biotech Business Capital for L-1 Holders
- Laboratory equipment financing: Mass spectrometers, liquid chromatography systems, PCR cyclers, flow cytometers, and bioprocess equipment — asset-backed at favorable rates
- Research supplies and reagents: Consumables for ongoing research programs require revolving working capital
- CRO contract milestone bridges: Research contracts pay on milestone completion — working capital bridges the gap between milestones
- Lab buildout and BSL compliance: Leasehold improvements for laboratory space, HVAC and ventilation, and biosafety compliance
- Scientific staffing: Research scientists, lab technicians, and quality assurance personnel
Check your Bankability Score or explore equipment financing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Biotech businesses with CRO, CDMO, diagnostic, or analytical services revenue owned by L-1 holders qualify for Bankable funding. Lab equipment financing and working capital are both available. No green card required.
Contract research revenue, diagnostic testing fees, analytical services income, licensing royalties, and CDMO manufacturing fees all qualify. Milestone-based research contracts require bridge working capital between payment events.
Yes. High-value laboratory equipment — mass spectrometers, liquid chromatography systems, bioprocess equipment, PCR cyclers — qualifies as collateral for equipment financing. Equipment must be in good working condition with current market value.
Bankable requires documented revenue, so pure research companies without commercial revenue do not qualify at the revenue-based funding stage. If you have CRO service revenue, even from limited contracts, that qualifies for review.
Yes. Leasehold improvements for laboratory space — fume hoods, HVAC, utility upgrades, bench installation — qualify as capital investment funded against your service revenue. BSL-2 and BSL-3 compliance buildouts are common use cases.
Yes. Clinical diagnostic labs, veterinary diagnostic labs, environmental testing labs, and food safety testing labs with documented test volume and revenue qualify. CLIA certification is a positive validation factor.
Clinical trial management and CRO businesses with sponsor contracts qualify. We evaluate the contract terms, payment schedule, and sponsor creditworthiness in addition to your company's revenue history.
SBIR/STTR grants are non-dilutive revenue that qualifies for Bankable evaluation. Grant revenue plus commercial service revenue together create the strongest life science funding profile.