Does this cost me anything?

No. Nautix Capital's SmartMatch assessment is completely free. If you decide to move forward with a lender, Nautix Capital is compensated by the lender — you pay nothing to Nautix, ever.

Will this affect my credit score?

No. Nautix Capital's SmartMatch assessment does not involve a credit pull. If you move forward with a specific lender, they may run a soft or hard inquiry at that stage, but Nautix Capital's team will tell you exactly what to expect before that happens.

How long does the assessment take?

About 2 minutes. You'll answer questions about your business, your funding need, and your timeline. No financial documents needed at this stage.

How fast can I get funded?

It depends on the funding type. Working capital and revenue-based financing can fund in as little as 24-48 hours. SBA loans and commercial real estate typically take 30-90 days. After your SmartMatch assessment, Nautix Capital will provide a realistic timeline for your specific situation.

What if I have bad credit?

Nautix Capital works with lenders across the credit spectrum. Many evaluate your business holistically — revenue, industry, time in business — not just your personal credit score. Scores as low as 550-600 can still qualify for certain products.

What is revenue-based funding?

Revenue-based funding (RBF) is a type of business financing where repayment is tied to a percentage of your monthly revenue. Instead of fixed monthly payments, you pay more when revenue is high and less when it's slow. Typical advance amounts range from $10,000 to $500,000, with repayment terms of 3 to 18 months. Businesses generally need at least $10,000 in monthly revenue and 6 months of operating history to qualify.

What are the requirements for an SBA loan in 2026?

SBA loan requirements in 2026 include: the business must operate in the United States, the owner must have invested their own capital, and the business must have exhausted other financing options. For SBA 7(a) loans, most lenders require a credit score of 680 or higher, at least 2 years in business, and annual revenue sufficient to cover debt payments. SBA 7(a) loans are available up to $5 million with rates currently ranging from 3.5% to 8.5% APR (prime + 0.5-2.75% spread) and terms up to 25 years, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA approved 84,400 loans totaling $44.8 billion in fiscal year 2025 (Source: SBA.gov FY2025 Lending Statistics).

What is the difference between a business line of credit and a term loan?

A business line of credit provides revolving access to funds up to a set limit — you draw what you need, pay interest only on what you use, and can reuse the credit as you repay. A term loan provides a lump sum upfront with fixed monthly payments over a set period. Lines of credit are better for managing cash flow fluctuations and recurring expenses ($10,000 to $250,000 typical). Term loans are better for one-time investments like equipment or expansion ($25,000 to $5,000,000 typical).

How does equipment financing work?

Equipment financing allows businesses to purchase or lease equipment using the equipment itself as collateral. This means you typically don't need additional collateral or a personal guarantee. Financing covers up to 100% of the equipment value with terms of 2 to 7 years. Interest rates range from 4% to 10% APR depending on creditworthiness and equipment type. The equipment leasing and finance industry represents over $1.3 trillion in assets, according to the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA). Businesses can finance vehicles, machinery, technology, restaurant equipment, medical devices, and construction equipment. Section 179 allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment in the year it is placed in service.

What is invoice factoring and how is it different from a loan?

Invoice factoring is not a loan — it's the sale of your unpaid invoices to a factoring company at a discount. You receive 80% to 95% of the invoice value upfront (usually within 24 hours), and the factoring company collects payment from your customer. When the customer pays, you receive the remaining balance minus a factoring fee of 1% to 5%. Unlike a loan, factoring does not create debt on your balance sheet and approval is based on your customers' creditworthiness, not yours. According to FCI (Factors Chain International), the global factoring market reached EUR 3,894 billion in 2024, with the United States representing one of the largest markets.

What is a business funding broker?

A business funding broker connects businesses with lenders and financing programs that match their specific needs. Instead of applying to multiple lenders individually, a broker analyzes your business profile and matches you with options from their lender network. Brokers are typically compensated by the lender, not the borrower. According to the Federal Reserve's 2024 Small Business Credit Survey, 67% of small businesses rely solely on existing banking relationships to find capital, often missing better options. A good broker like Nautix Capital provides access to 75+ lender programs simultaneously, reducing the 26-hour average search time to under 10 minutes.

How long does it take to get approved for business funding?

Approval timelines vary by product type. Working capital and revenue-based funding can approve in as little as 4 to 24 hours with funding the same day or next business day. Business lines of credit typically approve within 1 to 3 business days. Equipment financing takes 2 to 5 business days. SBA loans require 30 to 90 days due to government documentation requirements. Commercial real estate financing takes 30 to 60 days for most transactions.

What credit score do I need for business funding?

Required credit scores vary by funding type. Revenue-based funding and working capital loans may accept scores as low as 550 to 600 if the business has strong revenue ($10,000+ monthly). Business lines of credit typically require 620 or higher. SBA loans generally require 680 or higher. Equipment financing can work with scores of 600+ since the equipment serves as collateral. Many alternative lenders evaluate the full business profile — revenue, time in business, industry — rather than credit score alone.

What is commercial real estate financing?

Commercial real estate (CRE) financing provides loans for purchasing, refinancing, or developing commercial properties including office buildings, retail spaces, warehouses, multifamily buildings (5+ units), and mixed-use properties. CRE loans typically range from $250,000 to $50,000,000+ with terms of 5 to 25 years and rates between 5% and 12%. Down payments usually range from 10% to 30% of the property value. Common CRE loan types include conventional commercial mortgages, SBA 504 loans, bridge loans, and DSCR loans.

When should I NOT use a business funding broker?

A funding broker may not be the right fit if: you already have a strong banking relationship with competitive rates, your funding need is a simple personal loan under $5,000, you're a pre-revenue startup (most broker networks require at least $10,000 in monthly revenue), or you need consumer financing like mortgages or auto loans. Brokers add the most value when you need to compare multiple commercial lending options, have complex funding needs, or don't meet traditional bank requirements.

Can Nautix Capital help pre-revenue startups get funding?

In most cases, no. The majority of Nautix Capital's lender partners require at least 6 months of operating history and demonstrable revenue. Pre-revenue startups are typically better served by SBA microloans, local Small Business Development Center (SBDC) programs, angel investors, or crowdfunding platforms.

Does Nautix Capital arrange personal or consumer loans?

No. Nautix Capital exclusively handles business and investment financing. We do not arrange personal loans, home mortgages, auto loans, or any consumer credit products. If you need personal financing, your bank or a consumer lending marketplace would be a better resource.

Can I use Nautix Capital for funding under $10,000?

While Nautix Capital can technically process smaller deals, the economics often don't work well for either party on amounts under $10,000. For smaller funding needs, a business credit card, microlender, or community development financial institution (CDFI) may be a more efficient option.

Should I use Nautix Capital if I already have a good relationship with my bank?

If your bank offers competitive terms and you have an established relationship, that direct connection is often the best path. Nautix Capital is most valuable when you need to compare options across multiple lenders, have been declined by your bank, or need specialized funding products that traditional banks don't offer.

A Boutique Capital Advisory Firm

The right capital is chosen, not sold.

We sit on your side of the table — not the lender's. From $50K working lines to $300M+ structured facilities, one senior team across every product, and a straight answer at every step.

Independent by design — we answer to you, not a lender.
One senior team across every product, first call to close.
A straight answer fast — including when the honest answer is no.

Capital relationships: 0+
Deal capacity: $0M
Entry point: $0K

Start a Conversation

Introduce yourself.

No application, no credit pull. Just the basics — we'll bring the options and an advisor reaches out within one business day.

What are you working on?

I confirm I am 18 years of age or older.Nautix Capital uses SMS only for administrative and customer-care messages related to my inquiry and engagement with the advisory team (intake confirmation, scheduling/rescheduling, document requests, and updates that a provider meeting has been scheduled). No loan offers, quotes, approvals/denials, underwriting updates, rate/term discussions, or funding confirmations are sent via SMS. Message frequency may vary. Message & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help or STOP to opt out.

Confidential intake. No SSN, no hard credit pull.

$5M+ transaction? See the structured capital practice →

About Nautix

A capital advisory firm with a point of view.

Most capital firms specialize in one product, one lender, one transaction size. Nautix is built differently — a small, senior team advising across the entire stack, from a sponsor's first acquisition to their tenth refi.

We took the things we believed about ethics, transparency, and creative structuring and made them the firm.

More about Nautix →

Principle 01

Relationships First

We work with a smaller number of clients on purpose. The relationship is the product — not the placement.

Principle 02

Ethics, Not Just Compliance

We say no to deals we don't believe in. We won't stack you into a position you can't service to earn a fee.

Principle 03

Transparency on Everything

You see every option in our network. We tell you the math behind the term sheet — and the trade-offs we'd make in your seat.

Principle 04

Creative Structuring

When no single product fits, we layer. Bridge + perm. SBA + seller note. Term loan + working line. We engineer the cap stack around your deal — not the other way around.

The People

A small, senior team.

You work with the same advisors from first call through closing — and through the next deal, and the one after that.

Founder

Walker Rice

Founder & CEO

Founded Nautix to advise on the cap stack with the discipline of an institutional firm and the relationship depth of a private practice. Leads every structured engagement.

More about Nautix →

Barbara Rice

Director of Client Partnerships

The voice on every client call — owns each engagement from the first conversation through funding.

Ismael Diaby

Director of Lender Partnerships

Curates the institutional lender network we draw on to win every deal, across every product.

Aria Pramesi

Chief Technical Officer

Builds the systems that let a boutique team run with the reach of a much larger institution.

Kira Stephens

Senior Capital Advisor

A force on working capital and growth deals — structures tight, moves fast, stays in to the wire.

Capabilities

Advising across the full cap stack.

We don't specialize in one product or one lender. We map your deal to the right capital across our institutional network — or structure something custom across the stack.

Working Capital

Cash flow, lines of credit, and revenue-based capital for operators keeping the business moving.

Explore the practice

Growth & Acquisition

SBA and structured term financing for owners scaling the business, buying out partners, or acquiring competitors.

Explore the practice

Real Estate & Structured

Commercial bridge, construction, DSCR, fix-and-flip, and structured debt for $5M to $300M+ transactions.

Explore the practice

Not sure where you fit? Start Your SmartMatch →

How We Work

Four steps. Same team.
Every time.

No handoffs between teams. No re-explaining the deal. From the first call through the wire, you work with the same advisor — and you keep working with them on the next deal.

The Intro Call

15 min · No obligation

A 15-minute call to see if we're the right fit. We learn the deal, you learn how we think. No pitch deck, no obligation.

Fit & Documents

Only what's required

If we're the right partner for the deal, we tell you — then collect only the documents your specific product and lender require. Nothing scattershot.

Underwriting

Targeted, not scattershot

We take a complete, well-structured file to the few lenders built for your deal — not a blast to 75 inboxes — and manage underwriting end to end.

Funding & Continuity

Funded · Same team going forward

A clear funding decision, then the wire. And you keep the same advisor on the next deal, and the one after.

Same process whether the deal is $50K of working capital or a $300M+ structured facility. Working nationwide. Based in Charleston, SC and St. Petersburg, FL.

Recent Transactions

Closed across the cap stack.

Discuss your transaction →

$14M

Closed · 42 days

Multifamily Bridge → Perm

Real Estate · Southeast

Bridge with takeout commitment

Out-of-state sponsor, 88-unit value-add asset. Identified a credit-union bridge nobody else introduced, with a permanent commitment at stabilization.

MultifamilyValue-AddCredit Union

$2.8M

Closed · 91 days

SBA 7(a) Partner Buyout

Medical · Dental Practice

SBA 7(a) + seller note

Partner buyout restructured after two prior advisors couldn't close. Identified the right SBA lender on the third call.

SBAAcquisitionHealthcare

$1.6M

Closed · 21 days

Revenue-Based Growth Capital

Technology · B2B SaaS

Revenue-based facility, quarterly true-up

B2B SaaS client scaling sales and infrastructure ahead of an institutional round. Banks declined on ARR-to-burn ratio; we structured a revenue-based facility with quarterly true-ups so capital scaled with growth.

SaaSGrowthPre-Series A

$650K

Closed · 11 days

Working Capital

Hospitality · Multi-unit Restaurants

Term + line of credit combination

Post-renovation liquidity bridge. Two banks declined; we structured a term + line of credit combination that closed before the next payroll.

Working CapitalRestaurantsBridge

Engagements are confidential. Composite cases shown above reflect real transactions with identifying details abstracted.

A Note from Walker

Most capital advisors chase the fee. They send your deal to 50 inboxes, take the first lender that says yes, close, collect, disappear.

I built Nautix differently. A smaller number of clients. A deeper bench of lenders. We structure the cap stack around what you're actually trying to do — not what's easiest to place. And when the deal closes, we don't disappear. The next deal lives in the relationship.

Bring us your deal. We'll tell you honestly whether we can help.

Walker Rice

Founder & CEO, Nautix Capital · Charleston, SC

Start a Conversation

The first call is on us.
The next deal starts here.

A 15-minute intro call — no pitch, no obligation. We'll tell you straight whether we're the right team for the deal, and what the path forward looks like.

Book a 15-minute intro call or send us the deal →

Call

(843) 994-2746

[email protected]

Offices

Charleston, SC
St. Petersburg, FL

The right capital is chosen, not sold.

Introduce yourself.

A capital advisory firm with a point of view.

Relationships First

Ethics, Not Just Compliance

Transparency on Everything

Creative Structuring

A small, senior team.

Walker Rice

Advising across the full cap stack.

Working Capital

Growth & Acquisition

Real Estate & Structured

Four steps. Same team.Every time.

The Intro Call

Fit & Documents

Underwriting

Funding & Continuity

Closed across the cap stack.

The first call is on us.The next deal starts here.

Four steps. Same team.
Every time.

The first call is on us.
The next deal starts here.