Key Takeaways
- O-1 holders can buy existing businesses without SBA loans
- Bankable evaluates the target business's revenue as the primary underwriting basis
- SBA barred for all O-1 holders since March 2026
- Business acquisition eliminates the startup risk of a new concept
- 48-hour decisions, no green card required
Buying an existing business is one of the most efficient paths to business ownership for an O-1 holder: you acquire revenue-generating operations, an existing customer base, staff, and systems on day one. The capital challenge is the purchase price — which ranges from $100,000 for a small service business to $5,000,000+ for an established multi-location operation. Bankable funds O-1 business acquisitions against the target business's existing revenue — not the buyer's visa status. Check your Bankability Score.
How Business Acquisition Financing Works
Bankable evaluates acquisition financing primarily on the target business's trailing revenue — the income-generating capacity of what you are buying. We look at: the target's last 12-24 months of P&L, bank statements, and revenue trends. A business generating $150,000/month in revenue trading at a 2x multiple ($3.6M annual revenue × 2 = $7.2M, often seller-financed to $3-4M) can be acquisition-financed against that $150,000/month revenue base. The buyer's existing business revenue (if any) supplements the underwriting.
Acquisition vs. Building from Scratch
For O-1 business owners, buying an existing business has particular advantages:
- Immediate revenue from day one
- Existing staff reduces hiring risk
- Established customer relationships
- Systems and processes already built
- Bankable's underwriting can use the target's revenue history as the primary basis — eliminating the "startup" barrier
Due Diligence and the O-1 Buyer
Acquisition due diligence for O-1 buyers is identical to any other buyer: reviewing financial statements, customer contracts, supplier agreements, lease terms, and employee status. O-1 visa status does not complicate the due diligence process — only the financing layer, which Bankable addresses. Once due diligence is complete and a purchase agreement is signed, Bankable can fund within 48 hours of a complete application. Compare product options.
Seller Financing in Combination with Bankable
Many small business acquisitions involve a combination of seller financing (the seller takes back a note for part of the purchase price) and outside capital (Bankable covering the remaining portion). This combination — seller note plus Bankable capital — is a common structure for O-1 buyers that eliminates the need for SBA involvement entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Bankable funds O-1 business acquisitions against the target business's revenue. No green card required.
The March 2026 SBA rule eliminates all SBA acquisition loans for O-1 holders. Bankable is the private alternative.
We evaluate the target business's trailing 12-24 months of revenue. Minimum $15,000-$50,000/month depending on industry.
48 hours from complete application.
Up to $5M based on the target business's revenue and purchase price.
Yes. All SBA programs are excluded for O-1 holders since March 2026.
Yes. Bankable capital combined with a seller note is a common and effective acquisition structure.
Target business financial statements (2 years), purchase agreement or LOI, personal financial statement, and business entity documentation.
Yes. All business types generating qualifying revenue are fundable.
Yes. We evaluate the target's revenue and profitability. Businesses with declining revenue or losses require additional documentation and analysis.