Over 13 million women-owned businesses drive the U.S. economy. MFE provides equal access to capital — no certification required, no gender bias, just fast approvals based on your business performance.
Apply in 5 Minutes Call (305) 384-8391Women-owned businesses represent 42% of all businesses in the United States, yet research consistently shows they receive a disproportionately small share of business financing. A 2023 report from the National Women's Business Council found that women entrepreneurs are more likely to be denied financing, offered lower loan amounts, or face higher interest rates compared to their male counterparts — even with comparable business performance metrics.
The funding gap is real, but it is not insurmountable. Understanding the full landscape of options — from government grants to alternative financing — gives women business owners the tools to make strategic decisions and access the capital their businesses deserve.
Several government programs target women-owned businesses, and they are worth knowing about even if they are not right for every situation:
The honest reality: government grants are real, but they are competitive, time-consuming to apply for, and typically small in dollar amounts relative to business capital needs. The average small business grant is between $2,000 and $50,000 — and the application-to-funding timeline is often 3-12 months. For a business that needs capital now, grants are rarely the answer.
Bank loans remain the most commonly sought form of business financing, yet women business owners face measurable obstacles in traditional lending environments. The Federal Reserve's 2023 Small Business Credit Survey found that women-owned businesses experience lower approval rates at large banks compared to male-owned businesses with similar financials.
Common barriers women-owned businesses face at traditional banks include:
Merchant Fund Express operates on a simple principle: your business performance — not your demographics — determines your eligibility. This means women business owners are evaluated on the same criteria as any other applicant: monthly revenue, time in business, and cash flow consistency.
MFE is not a government program, and we are not structured around demographic certifications. What we are is a fast, accessible capital partner that has funded thousands of businesses that traditional lenders turned away. For women business owners who have been denied bank financing, are waiting on a grant decision, or simply cannot wait 6 weeks for a funding decision, MFE provides an immediate alternative.
You do not need a WBE certification, a WOSB designation, or any other credential to work with MFE. The application takes 5 minutes. Our underwriting team reviews applications the same business day. Most approvals are issued within 4-24 hours.
Join thousands of women business owners who chose MFE for fast, fair funding.
Start Application (305) 384-8391Six financing products designed for real business needs — available to all business owners equally.
$5K-$2M for day-to-day operations, inventory, staffing, marketing, and growth. Fixed terms, predictable payments.
Draw funds as needed up to your approved limit. Only pay interest on what you use. Ideal for seasonal businesses.
Advance based on future sales revenue. Repayment adjusts with your sales volume — flexible for variable-revenue businesses.
Finance equipment purchases up to $2M. Terms up to 60 months. Equipment serves as collateral, improving approval odds.
Convert outstanding invoices into immediate cash. Ideal for women-owned B2B businesses waiting on client payments.
Fixed daily or weekly ACH payments based on your revenue. Predictable payback structure without equity dilution.
MFE qualification is based entirely on business performance — not who you are or what certifications you hold.
| Requirement | Standard Threshold |
|---|---|
| Time in Business | 6+ months |
| Monthly Revenue | $10,000+ per month |
| Credit Score | 500+ (some products 550+) |
| Business Bank Account | Required (U.S.) |
| Industry | Most industries accepted |
| Demographic Certification | Not required — ever |
| Collateral | Not required for most products |
| Documents | 3-6 months bank statements, ID |
Women-owned businesses operate across every industry, and MFE funds across the board: retail and e-commerce, healthcare and wellness, restaurants and food service, professional services, beauty and personal care, childcare and education, construction and contracting, technology, logistics, and more.
If your business generates consistent revenue, there is likely a financing product at MFE that works for your situation. Industries with fluctuating revenue — like seasonal retail or event services — may be best served by a Merchant Cash Advance or Revenue Based Financing, where repayment adjusts to your cash flow.
The funding landscape for women entrepreneurs has historically been characterized by barriers, not access. Traditional lenders have applied standards that, intentionally or not, disadvantaged women business owners — particularly those running service businesses, newer ventures, or businesses without hard assets.
MFE was built around a different model: revenue-based underwriting that focuses on your business's ability to repay, not on collateral, connections, or demographic credentials. This approach benefits women business owners who have strong revenue but may lack the balance sheet that satisfies a traditional bank.
Here is what MFE customers consistently cite as reasons they chose alternative financing over traditional options:
Honest answers about women-owned business financing from MFE.
Apply in 5 minutes. Get a decision in hours. Fund in 24-48 hours.
No certification required — just your business performance.