Is Kabbage Right for Your Business?
Kabbage is one of several finance companies online. It appears as if Kabbage no longer provides small business loans although they do provide lines of credit. This blog post was updated in August of 2021.
We look at the specifics and drill down into the details about this online financing option.
Background
Kabbage is located online here: www.kabbage.com. Their physical address is:
925B Peachtree Street NE
Suite 1688
Atlanta, GA 30309.
You can call them here: (888) 986-8263. You can email them at: [email protected]. Their contact page is here: www.kabbage.com/support/contact. They have been in business since 2009, which is longer than most of the players in this space.
Kabbage is a venture funded company. They are backed by investors which include Reverence Capital Partners, SoftBank Capital, Thomvest Ventures, Mohr Davidow Ventures, BlueRun Ventures, the UPS Strategic Enterprise Fund, ING, Santander InnoVentures, Scotiabank, and TCW/Craton.
Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness
Kabbage has smartly pivoted to helping its clients with Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness. They offer advice on PPP loan forgiveness and tips on how to maximize your loan forgiveness amount.
Kabbage Lines of Credit
So currently, you must join a waitlist for funding.
Kabbage Funding offers access to a line of credit of up to $150,000. Also, each draw on the line is a separate 6-,12-, or 18- month installment loan depending on your eligibility.
Minimum draw is $1,000.
Fees
Kabbage Funding loans incur a loan fee for each month you have an outstanding balance. But there are no origination fees, annual fees, monthly maintenance fees or documentation fees. Also, late payment fees and return payment fees may apply per the loan agreement.
Qualifying
To qualify, your business needs to be at least one year old. Kabbage will verify your business using your business’ bank account(s) and the other business services you connect. Their application also collects information such as your name, business name, home and business addresses, home and business phone numbers, business industry, business tax ID and Social Security number.
You must have a valid business checking account.
Kabbage Financing Tools
They do more than PPP loans and PPP loan forgiveness, and lines of credit.
Kabbage “provides tools to simplify the day-to-day cash flow concerns that every small business experiences. With the ability to more efficiently accept payments, understand their cash flow and access flexible lines of credit, business owners can focus on doing what they do best.”
They provide an app, too.
Checking
These tools include a Kabbage online checking account with competitive rates. This puts them in direct competition with banks. The checking account is not yet on offer officially, but you can get onto a waiting list.
Payments
And for businesses seeking payments, Kabbage provides a means of selling online gift certificates and sending professional invoices. Their system allows businesses to accept credit card payments. This puts them in direct competition with PayPal.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages include financing flexibility with several features that other online providers do not offer. But disadvantages include having to be in business for a year. Plus their revenue requirement is rather high.
Takeaways
Companies which will do best with Kabbage are already somewhat successful. However, smaller companies which are less successful would do well to look elsewhere. So in particular, for a company looking for a lower end line of credit would more likely be better served getting a microloan.
And also, as with every other lending program, whether online or offline, remember to read the fine print and do the math. Go over the details with a fine-toothed comb, and decide whether this option will be good for you and your company.
In addition, consider alternative financing options that go beyond lending, including building business credit, in order to best decide how to get the money you need to help your business grow.
