Case studies
How real funding decisions actually get made.
Educational case studies walking through the math, the alternatives, and the outcome on representative small-business funding decisions. Built to show what good decision-making looks like across MCA, SBA, factoring, equipment financing, and revenue-based products.
A note on these case studies. The case studies on this page are illustrative composites built from representative funding scenarios. They are not real customers — names, locations, and identifying details are fictional. The funding mechanics, dollar amounts, rate ranges, and decision trade-offs reflect realistic 2026 market conditions. Use them as teaching material, not as testimonials.
Restaurants · SBA 7(a) consolidation · $680,000
Restaurant chain reduced funding cost 47% by switching from MCA stack to consolidated SBA
How a 4-unit Florida BBQ chain refinanced three stacked MCAs into a single SBA 7(a) and cut annualized cost from 71% to 11%.
Before
3 stacked MCAs, 38% of daily revenue swept
After
Single SBA 7(a), 10-year term, predictable monthly P&I
Tampa, FL · Q4 2025 → funded January 2026
Trucking & logistics · AR factoring + 4 equipment-financing notes · $612,000 total ($148K factoring line + $464K equipment notes)
Trucking owner-operator scaled from 1 to 5 trucks using factoring + equipment financing
A Georgia owner-operator stacked factoring on tractor 1 and used the freed cash flow to qualify for equipment loans on trucks 2–5 over 22 months.
Before
1 tractor, $312K TTM revenue, 39 DSO
After
5 tractors, $1.49M TTM revenue, same-day pay on every load
Atlanta, GA · Factoring line Q1 2024 → final equipment note Q3 2025
Construction (general contracting) · Construction AR factoring (recourse, milestone-based) · $1.4M (peak outstanding on a $2M factoring line)
Construction GC bridged 90-day payment gap on $2.3M project using AR factoring
How a mid-sized Texas general contractor used construction-specific AR factoring to fund payroll, subs, and materials on a 9-month build without an MCA.
Before
$2.3M project, 90-day owner payment terms
After
Same-week funding on approved progress draws
Austin, TX · Factoring line Q3 2025; project closed Q2 2026
E-commerce (DTC) · Revenue-based financing (Shopify Capital alternative) · $340,000 (RBF facility, $190K initial draw + $150K follow-on)
E-commerce store doubled inventory turn using revenue-based financing instead of MCA
A 4-year-old Shopify brand replaced two stacked MCAs with a $340K RBF facility, doubled inventory turn from 4.1x to 8.3x, and lifted gross margin by 6.4 points.
Before
2 stacked MCAs, 4.1x turn, 38% GM
After
Single RBF facility, 8.3x turn, 44.4% GM
Miami, FL (Shopify Plus brand) · Refinance closed Q1 2026
Healthcare (outpatient services) · SBA 7(a) acquisition + expansion loan · $920,000 SBA 7(a) (10-year term)
Healthcare practice expanded to 3 locations via SBA 7(a) after declining higher-cost alternatives
A Georgia outpatient PT practice grew from 1 to 3 locations on a single $920K SBA 7(a) — after rejecting two MCA pitches and one revenue-based offer that would have eaten 9 points of margin.
Before
1 location, $1.8M revenue, no debt
After
3 locations, $4.6M run-rate, SBA debt service 7% of revenue
Suburban Atlanta, GA · SBA closed Q2 2025; both new locations open by Q1 2026
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Find my funder match →Disclaimer. All case studies on this site are illustrative composites built from representative funding scenarios in the small-business credit market. They are not real Fundnode customers; any resemblance to specific businesses is coincidental. Funding mechanics, dollar amounts, rate ranges, and decision trade-offs reflect realistic 2026 market conditions and are presented for educational purposes only — not as financial advice. Fundnode is a referral platform, not a lender.