A Goldman Sachs survey published this past June confirmed what many business owners already know — affordable capital is getting harder to access.
Even established, employer-based businesses ready to grow, expand, or hire are being forced to pause. Not because of lack of ambition or demand, but because the capital they need is out of reach.
Why does this matter?
Because many second-stage businesses are walking into lender meetings using outdated playbooks — unaware that today’s approval standards require more structure, clarity, and financial transparency than ever before.
It’s not enough to be a strong business in practice. You need to be lender-ready on paper, in your processes, and in how you present your financials — before you apply.
What can you do now?
- Look at your financials the way a lender would.
- Strengthen your business credit and cash flow narrative.
- Identify gaps in documentation, compliance, and operational discipline.
At Strategic Thinktank, we created the Becoming Bankable Essentials program for moments like this. It’s a practical, high-impact system that helps second-stage business owners prepare for capital access within the next 3 to 12 months.
Whether you’re looking to secure a line of credit, purchase equipment, fund working capital, or position for growth, we’ll help you move from eligible to approved.
📩 Let’s talk if you’re ready to put your business in a position funders can’t ignore.