Key Takeaways
- Biologists, biochemists, and life scientists on TN qualify for TN visa
- Lab equipment financing uses instruments as collateral
- Revenue from contract research and testing qualifies for Bankable underwriting
- SBA eliminated TN eligibility March 2026 — Bankable funds biotech directly
- 48-hour decisions for established lab businesses with documented revenue
Biological scientists, biochemists, and laboratory scientists are explicitly listed TN visa occupations — a recognition that cross-border life sciences collaboration is strategically important to USMCA member nations. TN holders in these categories frequently establish contract research organizations (CROs), clinical laboratory businesses, analytical testing services, and biotech advisory firms that apply their professional expertise to commercial markets.
Canadian biotech professionals — many from the Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver biotech clusters — bring deep experience in pharmaceutical development, genomics, and medical diagnostics. Mexican biotech professionals frequently focus on agricultural biotechnology, food testing, and pharmaceutical manufacturing support — areas with significant relevance to the USMCA trade relationship.
Biotech and Lab Capital Uses
- Analytical instruments: HPLC systems, mass spectrometers, PCR machines, and microscopy equipment — often $50,000 to $500,000 per instrument
- Laboratory build-out: Biosafety cabinets, fume hoods, cold storage, and specialized infrastructure
- Contract research working capital: Staff salaries and consumables during the gap between project start and milestone payments
- Regulatory consulting: FDA, EPA, and CLIA compliance costs for laboratory operations
- Quality system implementation: ISO 17025, CLIA, and CAP accreditation costs
Equipment Financing
Finance analytical instruments with asset-backed terms for lab equipment.
Learn More →Working Capital
Bridge project milestone payments and fund staff during CRO project execution.
Apply Now →Lab Build-Out
Fund specialized laboratory infrastructure, biosafety cabinets, and cold storage.
Get Started →Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. TN holders can own US businesses in any industry through a US-registered LLC or corporation. The business entity is separate from the TN holder's immigration-authorized employment.
Bankable evaluates business revenue, bank statements, and financial performance. TN visa status is not a disqualifying criterion.
The SBA updated its rules effective March 1, 2026, eliminating TN visa holders from SBA 7(a) and 504 eligibility. Bankable provides non-SBA revenue-based capital with 48-hour decisions.
Bankable delivers decisions within 48 hours. Funded amounts are typically available within 3-5 business days of approval.
Bankable generally requires $15,000 or more in monthly business revenue with at least 6 months of operating history. Some industries qualify at $10,000/month with 3 months of history.
Yes. Biotech businesses, CROs, and clinical laboratories can be owned by TN holders in biological science, biochemistry, and related occupations.
Yes. Analytical instruments including HPLC, mass spectrometers, sequencers, and PCR equipment are eligible for equipment financing. The instrument serves as collateral.
Bankable requires $15,000 or more in monthly revenue with 6+ months of history. CROs with multi-year research contracts or testing service agreements qualify for larger funding amounts.
Yes. CLIA-certified clinical laboratories with documented testing revenue are eligible. Bankable does not impose additional regulatory requirements beyond verifying the business is legally operating.
Yes. Businesses that generate licensing revenue from patented biotech discoveries are eligible if they generate documented revenue through a US business entity.