What is a business funding affiliate?
A business funding affiliate is a person or business that earns commissions by referring other businesses to lenders or funding platforms. Unlike a loan broker, a funding affiliate does not evaluate applications, negotiate terms, or handle any part of the lending process. Their only job is to make the introduction.
The business funding affiliate model works because brokers earn fees for successfully placing deals. When a business owner applies through your referral link, FundingAffiliates acts as broker to find the best terms across 110+ lenders. When the deal funds, we share a portion of our broker fee with you as commission.
FundingAffiliates operates this model at scale: we connect 500+ referral partners with a network of 110+ lenders offering multiple types of business funding. Partners range from accountants and business consultants to real estate agents and payment processors: anyone who knows business owners and wants to monetize those relationships.
Important distinction: Business funding affiliates are referral partners, not lenders and not licensed brokers. In most U.S. states, referral-only activity does not require a lending or brokerage license. However, requirements vary by state and you should not misrepresent your role to clients.
How the referral process works
The process is intentionally simple. Here is what happens from sign-up to payout:
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1
You create a free partner account
Sign up at app.fundingaffiliates.com in about 60 seconds. No approval waiting period. You get your own referral page with a unique URL (e.g., fundingapp.com/refer/yourname) and a shareable link immediately.
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2
You share your referral link
Send your referral link to business owners via email, text message, social media, or add it to your website. You can also embed the funding application form directly on your own website so clients never have to leave your page. When a business owner clicks your link, a tracking cookie attributes the application to your account.
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The business owner applies in 2 minutes
The application form is short: business name, industry, monthly revenue, time in business, and contact details. No hard credit pull at this stage. The business owner submits the form and that is all they need to do to get the process started.
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FundingAffiliates matches the business with lenders
Our platform automatically submits the application to the most relevant lenders in our network based on the business profile. With 110+ lenders offering different products, most businesses have multiple funding options. The matched lenders review the application and reach out to the business owner directly, not to you.
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The lender funds the business
If approved, the lender sends the funds directly to the business owner's bank account. This can happen in as little as 24 hours for merchant cash advances, or 3–7 business days for term loans and lines of credit. You are not involved in this process at all.
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You get paid via Stripe within ~7 days
Once the deal is funded, your commission is calculated and paid via Stripe direct deposit, typically within 7 business days. You can track every referral (application status, funding amount, commission earned) in real time from your partner dashboard.
How commissions are calculated
Commission amounts vary based on the funding amount, product type, and lender. As a general benchmark, partners typically earn between 2% and 5% of the funded amount as their commission.
| Funded Amount | Typical Commission Range | Example Payout |
|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $750 – $1,250 | ~$900 |
| $50,000 | $1,250 – $2,500 | ~$1,500 |
| $100,000 | $2,000 – $4,000 | ~$2,400 |
| $200,000 | $4,000 – $8,000 | ~$4,000+ |
| $500,000+ | Varies by product | Negotiated |
There is no cap on total earnings. Partners who send consistent referral volume can earn substantial ongoing income. Commissions are paid weekly, not monthly, not net-30. You do not need to send an invoice. Your Stripe account receives the deposit automatically.
Your partner dashboard shows the exact commission rate applicable to each deal. Rates are set by the platform and can vary by lender and product type. You can see your commission history, pending payments, and total lifetime earnings at any time.
Types of business funding you can refer
Our lender network offers several types of business financing. Understanding the differences helps you identify which of your contacts might qualify for which products.
Merchant Cash Advance (MCA)
An advance against future credit card or debit card revenue. Repayment is a daily or weekly percentage of sales. Fastest to fund (often 24–48 hours). Best for businesses with consistent card revenue. Typical range: $10,000–$500,000.
Business Term Loan
A lump sum repaid in fixed monthly installments over 1–5 years. Lower cost than an MCA. Requires stronger credit and financial documentation. Typical range: $25,000–$2,000,000.
Business Line of Credit
A revolving credit facility the business can draw from and repay as needed. Ideal for ongoing working capital needs or seasonal businesses. Typical range: $10,000–$500,000.
SBA Loans
Government-backed loans with low interest rates and long repayment terms. Requires strong credit and 2+ years in business. Slower to fund (2–8 weeks) but lowest cost of capital. Typical range: $50,000–$5,000,000.
Equipment Financing
Financing specifically for business equipment purchases. The equipment serves as collateral. Often easier to qualify than unsecured loans. Typical range: $10,000–$5,000,000.
Revenue-Based Financing
Repayments tied to a percentage of monthly revenue rather than a fixed payment. Flexible for businesses with variable revenue. Similar to MCA but often with longer repayment periods. Typical range: $50,000–$2,000,000.
Who qualifies as a business?
Because our network includes multiple lenders offering different products, there is no single qualifying standard. However, here are the general benchmarks lenders use:
Minimum 3–6 months for MCA and some alternative lenders.
2+ years required for SBA loans and most term loans.
$10,000+/month for most MCA and short-term products.
$25,000+/month typical for term loans and lines of credit.
500+ for some MCA lenders (soft pull only initially).
640+ preferred for term loans and lines of credit.
700+ required for SBA and best-rate products.
Most industries accepted. Restricted industries include cannabis, gambling, adult content, firearms dealers, and certain financial services.
U.S.-based businesses only. Sole proprietors, LLCs, S-Corps, C-Corps, and partnerships all qualify.
Because we work with multiple lenders, a business that is declined by one lender may still qualify with another. We match applications to the lenders most likely to approve them, which increases the overall funded rate for your referrals.
How long does funding take?
Funding timelines vary by product type. Here is what your referral contacts can expect:
Application submitted
The business owner fills out the 2-minute form through your referral link. FundingAffiliates immediately matches the application to relevant lenders in the network.
Day 0Pre-approval decision
For MCA and alternative lenders, pre-approval can come within hours. For term loans and SBA products, expect 1–5 business days for initial review.
Hours to 5 daysDocumentation & underwriting
The lender requests bank statements, tax returns, or other financial documents. The business owner deals with this directly. Faster products require fewer documents.
1–10 business daysFunding deposited
Merchant cash advances can fund within 24–48 hours of approval. Term loans typically fund in 3–7 business days. SBA loans take 2–8 weeks due to government processing requirements.
24 hours to 8 weeksYour commission is paid
Within approximately 7 business days of the deal funding, your commission appears in your Stripe account. No action required from you.
~7 days after fundingFrequently asked questions
Do I need a license to be a business funding affiliate?
In most U.S. states, referral-only activity does not require a lending or mortgage brokerage license. You are not making lending decisions, originating loans, or negotiating terms. You are simply making an introduction. However, some states have specific rules about compensated referrals. We recommend consulting a local attorney if you are unsure about your state's requirements. FundingAffiliates partners operate as independent contractors, not as loan officers or brokers.
How is a business funding affiliate different from a loan broker?
A loan broker actively works with clients to identify funding products, gather documentation, negotiate terms, and submit applications to lenders on the client's behalf. This typically requires licensing. A business funding affiliate simply refers interested clients via a link. The platform and lenders handle all the rest. FundingAffiliates partners do not advise clients on which product to choose or negotiate any terms.
Can I refer my own business or businesses I own?
No. Self-referrals are prohibited under our Partner Terms of Service. You cannot refer your own business, businesses you have an ownership stake in, or businesses owned by immediate family members. Violations result in account termination and forfeiture of commissions.
What happens if a client I referred doesn't get funded?
No commission is earned if a deal does not fund. However, FundingAffiliates works with 110+ lenders to maximize the funded rate. If one lender declines, the application can be matched with another. You can monitor the status of every referral in your dashboard in real time.
Can I track who clicked my referral link?
Your dashboard shows applications submitted through your referral link, along with their status (pending review, in underwriting, funded, declined). For privacy reasons, you cannot see detailed personal information about referred businesses beyond what is needed for commission tracking.
Is there a limit to how many referrals I can submit?
No. There are no minimums and no maximums. You can send one referral or a hundred referrals. There is no cost to join and no fee to participate regardless of volume.
How do I get paid and what are the tax implications?
Commissions are paid weekly via Stripe direct deposit. You must connect a U.S. bank account through Stripe Connect. Partners who earn $600 or more in a calendar year receive IRS Form 1099-NEC. You are responsible for reporting and paying taxes on your commission income as an independent contractor.
Can businesses outside the United States apply?
Currently, our lender network serves U.S.-based businesses only. The business must be registered in the United States and have a U.S. business bank account. There is no geographic restriction on who can be a referral partner, but the referred businesses must be U.S. entities.
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