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Microloan Programs in the Ann Arbor Region

January 30, 2024 Regional Updates,  Startup Ecosystem,  Opportunities
Person writing graphic-business loan

Microloans are an important way for growing businesses to gain access to capital when more traditional financing isn’t available. Below, we’ve compiled some of the available microloans around the greater Ann Arbor area. If you have questions or want to connect on other business growth options, please contact SPARK’s business development team for more information.

Lake Trust Credit Union Microloan

  • Terms: Variable
  • Funding Range: Up to $50,000
  • Restrictions: Business expenses that are under $50,000. The lending process is quicker than a traditional business loan timeframe.

Huntington Lift Local Business

  • Terms: Variable
  • Funding Range: $1,000 – $150,000
  • Restrictions: Focus is on women, veterans, and racially and ethnically diverse business owners. Zero origination fees, lower credit scores required.

Washtenaw County Microloan

  • Terms: Prime interest rate + 4%
  • Funding Range: $500 – $50,000
  • Restrictions: The business must be located in Washtenaw County and the applicant must be turned down by two financing institutions for loans over $ 20,000.

Innovate Ypsi

  • Terms: Variable
  • Funding Range: $10,000 – $75,000
  • Restrictions: The business must be expanding or locating within the zip codes of 48197 or 48198 and focused on job creation.

Kiva

  • Terms: 0% Interest
  • Funding Range: Up to $15,000
  • Restrictions: Start the pre-qualification process online.

Lean / Green Initiative

  • Terms: Special assessment program for energy efficiency or energy generation investments.
  • Funding Range: $10,000 and $350,000
  • Restrictions: The program is focused on energy efficiency and energy generation systems for commercial property.

SBA

  • Terms: Variable, depending on the institution that provides the credit.
  • Funding Range: Up to $50,000. The average loan is $13,000.
  • Restrictions: The microloans are provided by other credit entities (not the SBA directly) – the institutions have their own credit requirements and often require a personal guaranty and collateral.

SBA also offers a Lender Match program to help you connect to potential lenders offering SBA-backed funding.

CEED Lending

  • Terms: Must fully amortize; usually 5 years with interest rate fixed at closing.
  • Funding Range: Up to $50,000
  • Restrictions: For-profit companies only; cannot be used for real estate investment; must be current on all federal obligations.

Michigan Saves

  • Terms: 6.5%-7.4%
  • Funding Range: Minimum of $5,000
  • Restrictions: Michigan Saves offers financing for projects that will provide energy efficiency or renewable energy installation projects on commercial buildings.

Michigan Women Forward Microloan

  • Terms: 8%, up to 36 months
  • Funding Range: $2,500 – $50,000
  • Restrictions: Loans to any women-owned/led business in any sector who is attempting to start or grow their business throughout the state of Michigan.

MSUFCU startUP Loans

  • Terms: 7%, up to 3 years
  • Funding Ranging: Up to $15,000
  • Restrictions: Companies must be in areas of MI served by MSUFCU branches; loans can be used for equipment, inventory, and construction

Michigan Business Connection

  • Terms: Starting at prime +1.5%
  • Funding Range: Starting at $50,000
  • Restrictions: Lines of credit, equipment, and real estate

Michigan Good Food Fund

  • Terms: Starting at 5%
  • Funding Range: Starting at $2,500
  • Restrictions: Companies must be food enterprises that are working to increase access to affordable, healthy food in low-income and underserved communities in Michigan.

Opportunity Resource Fund

  • Terms: Competitive; Fixed and Variable
  • Funding Range: Up to $250,000
  • Restrictions: Startup, inventory, working capital, pre-development costs, build-out

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