LVRG BUSINESS FUNDING: Your Best Third Position Merchant Cash Advance Direct Lender
Second, Third & Fourth Position Merchant Cash Advance: Strategic Growth Capital for Established Businesses
Updated: November 25, 2025
⚠️ IMPORTANT: READ THIS BEFORE APPLYING ⚠️
We want to be direct about who we CAN and CANNOT help:
WE CANNOT HELP YOU IF:
❌ You have defaulted on any merchant cash advance (ever) without paying it off in full and obtaining a zero-balance letter
❌ You are currently on "modified" or "adjusted" payment plans with existing MCA lenders (this signals financial distress)
❌ You need this advance to make payments on your existing advances (this is a debt spiral, not a growth strategy)
❌ You are severely overleveraged with multiple MCAs and declining revenue
❌ You cannot clearly articulate how this capital will generate ROI and grow your business
⚠️ CRITICAL DISCLOSURE:
We conduct extensive background checks including UCC filings, court records, and lender databases. Defaults WILL be found. Omitting them from your application results in automatic decline and wastes everyone's time.
We Understand Business Challenges:
Look, we understand that emergencies happen. Running a business isn't easy, and sometimes business owners need fast cash for unexpected situations. We get all that. But if you're taking out merchant cash advances just to keep your business afloat month-to-month - paying one MCA with another MCA - that's not a sustainable strategy, and that's not our client. Those applications will be declined in underwriting anyway.
If any of the above applies to you, please do not apply.
WE CAN HELP YOU IF:
✅ Your monthly revenue is $50,000+ and stable or growing
✅ Your existing MCA obligations are under 35% of monthly revenue
✅ You're seeking capital FOR GROWTH (expansion, equipment, inventory, acquisition)
✅ You have a clear plan for how this capital generates ROI
✅ Your payment history with existing lenders is current and in good standing
If you meet these criteria, we'd love to work with you. Please continue reading.
An Important Message About Our Evolution & Your Financing Options
After more than 20 years providing business financing solutions and helping over 10,000 businesses access working capital, LVRG Business Funding has undergone a comprehensive evolution in how we approach small business lending. This update reflects our commitment to sustainable, responsible lending practices and our focus on funding business growth, not business survival.
As we move into 2026, we're focused on being the best merchant cash advance option for established, growth-oriented businesses seeking immediate cash flow financing - not by lowering our standards to fund everyone, but by raising them to fund the right businesses for the right reasons.
If you found this page searching for second position merchant cash advances, third position MCAs, fourth position funding, alternative business financing, revenue-based financing, or fast business funding options, please read this entire page carefully. Our criteria and lending philosophy have evolved significantly, and we want to ensure we're addressing the right financing challenges before you apply.
The Type of Business Financing Challenges We Solve
LVRG Business Funding specializes in providing strategic growth capital, working capital solutions, and immediate cash flow financing to established, profitable businesses nationwide that are positioned for sustainable success.
Who Benefits from Our Financing Solutions:
Minimum Monthly Gross Revenue: $50,000
Funding Amounts: $25,000 - $1.5 Million
Multiple Position Funding: We're a merchant advance direct lender who works behind other lenders (1st through 4th position) when there's sufficient capital stack capacity
Industries We Serve: Restaurants, Retail, Construction, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Professional Services, and more
Speed: Fast business funding with offers in 2-3 hours, same-day funding available
Geographic Reach: Business loan solutions online for all 50 states
What We Mean by "Strategic Growth Capital"
We provide immediate cash flow financing and business working capital for businesses that are borrowing capital to:
Expand operations (new locations, market expansion)
Invest in equipment that increases production capacity and revenue
Increase inventory to capitalize on immediate sales opportunities
Acquire competitors or strategic assets
Launch marketing campaigns that drive measurable ROI
Hire key personnel that accelerate growth
Renovate or upgrade facilities to enhance customer experience and revenue
We do not fund businesses that are borrowing simply to stay afloat.
Understanding Multiple Position Merchant Cash Advances: The Right Way
A second, third, or fourth position merchant cash advance refers to the sequential order in which multiple advances have been taken. If you currently have one existing merchant cash advance and are seeking additional funding, a new advance would be in "second position." If you have two existing MCAs, the next would be "third position," and so on.
The Critical Question: Why Are You Seeking Additional Position Funding?
This is where timing and intention become everything.
✅ GOOD REASON (Strategic Capital): You have one or two existing MCAs that are performing well, your revenue has grown 30% over the past year, and you need $75,000 to open a second location that will double your revenue. Your current capital stack is healthy, your debt service coverage ratio is strong, and there's plenty of room for additional funding without straining cash flow.
❌ BAD REASON (Survival Capital): You have two or three existing MCAs totaling $150,000 with daily withdrawals of $2,500, your monthly revenue is $25,000, you're constantly running out of cash, and you need another advance to make payroll and cover next week's rent.
The first scenario is strategic growth capital. The second is a death spiral.
We only fund the first scenario.
Why Merchant Cash Advances Have Gotten a Bad Reputation
Let's be honest: the merchant cash advance industry has earned some of its negative reputation, and we want to address this head-on.
The Problem: Desperation Borrowing
Many business owners make a critical mistake with timing. They operate their business self-funded (which is admirable), but they wait too long to seek capital. Here's what typically happens:
Revenue starts declining due to a slow sales cycle or seasonal downturn
Cash reserves deplete month after month
Credit scores take a hit from late payments or maxed-out cards
The business bottoms out - completely out of cash and out of options
Panic sets in - the owner frantically searches Google at 2 AM for "emergency business funding" or "need cash now for my business"
They find the wrong lenders - high-pressure call centers, predatory brokers, and bottom-feeder funding platforms
They borrow out of desperation - not to grow, but to survive another month
The cycle repeats - they take another advance to pay the first one, then another to pay those two, until they're $300,000 in debt to seven different lenders with only $20,000/month in revenue
The business collapses - completely overleveraged with no way out
This is exactly what we refuse to participate in.
Important: The SBA No Longer Refinances MCA Debt
Many business owners assume they can stack merchant cash advances and later refinance into an SBA loan. This is no longer possible. Recent SBA Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) guidelines now prohibit backing loans for businesses with existing MCA debt. If you over-leverage with multiple merchant cash advances, you're closing the door to traditional financing options.
This is why timing matters. Strategic use of MCAs for growth keeps all your options open. Using MCAs for survival eliminates your ability to access lower-cost financing later.
The Solution: Strategic Borrowing & Smart Timing
When used correctly, at the right time, for the right reasons, merchant cash advances (also called revenue-based financing, working capital loans, or alternative business financing) can be extraordinarily powerful growth tools that provide immediate cash flow when you need it most.
The key to successful business financing is timing:
✅ Borrow BEFORE you need it - when your business is healthy, growing, and you see an immediate opportunity for expansion
✅ Borrow FOR growth - to capitalize on revenue-driving investments that generate measurable returns
✅ Borrow WITH a plan - knowing exactly how the working capital will generate ROI and accelerate your business
❌ Don't borrow WHEN you're drowning - when you've run out of options and need emergency funding
❌ Don't borrow FOR survival - just to keep the lights on another month without a growth strategy
❌ Don't borrow WITHOUT a strategy - hoping additional cash flow will magically improve your situation
Real-World Example: The Right Time to Borrow
Sarah's Restaurant (The Right Approach):
Monthly revenue: $150,000
One existing MCA: $50,000 balance, $800/day payment
Opportunity: A competitor restaurant is closing, and Sarah can acquire their prime location, existing customer base, and equipment for $200,000
Projected impact: Double her revenue within 6 months
She secures a second position MCA of $150,000 to make the acquisition
Result: Revenue grows to $280,000/month, both MCAs are paid off within 10 months, and she owns two highly profitable locations
This is strategic growth capital. This is what we fund. When comparing merchant cash advance direct lenders and MCA lenders in 2026, businesses like Sarah's are looking for partners who understand the difference between growth capital and survival loans - partners who won't over-leverage your business just to close a deal. That ethical approach to small business lending is what distinguishes responsible lenders from predatory ones.
Real-World Example: The Wrong Time to Borrow
Mike's Retail Store (The Wrong Approach):
Monthly revenue: $18,000 (down from $35,000 a year ago)
Existing debt: 4 merchant cash advances totaling $180,000
Daily total payments: $2,100
Why he's seeking more: Can't make rent, can't make payroll, hoping a 5th MCA will "get him through the holidays"
Reality: His business generates $18,000/month but owes $63,000/month in payments (based on original repayment schedules). He's underwater and has been for months.
This is survival capital. We cannot help Mike, and neither can anyone else. The kindest thing we can tell Mike is that he needs to consult with a business attorney or financial advisor about restructuring or closure, not take on more debt.
Why Your Choice of Lender Matters More Than You Think
Not all merchant cash advance direct lenders operate the same way. The difference between working with an experienced, ethical business financing company versus a high-pressure sales operation can literally mean the difference between growing your business and destroying it.
What to Look For in Alternative Business Financing Partners:
Experience That Protects You: Working with lenders who've been through multiple economic cycles (2008 financial crisis, COVID pandemic, various market shifts) means they understand sustainable lending. They've seen what happens when businesses are over-leveraged, and they structure deals that work long-term, not just get funded quickly.
Direct Lending vs. Broker Networks: When you work with a merchant advance direct lender, you're dealing with the actual decision-maker who holds your contract. There's no middleman marking up costs. Decisions are faster, terms are clearer, and you have a direct relationship with someone invested in your success.
Ethical Underwriting Standards: Responsible lenders analyze whether you can truly afford the additional position funding. They look at your complete capital stack, revenue trends, and growth plan. Predatory lenders just look at whether they can legally take your money. The difference shows up in your survival rate.
Long-Term Thinking: The best small business lending relationships aren't transactional - they're partnerships. When a lender funds your growth strategically, you succeed, pay them back, and return when you need capital for your next expansion. That's sustainable business financing. When a lender over-leverages you, everyone loses.
This is why we've spent 20+ years building relationships, not just closing deals. Every business we fund strategically has the potential to become a long-term financing partner. Every business we over-leverage becomes a cautionary tale and a financial loss. We choose partnerships.
What "Room in the Capital Stack" Actually Means for Your Business Financing
When we say we provide second, third, and fourth position merchant cash advances with sufficient room in the capital stack, here's what we mean and why it matters for your immediate cash flow needs:
Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR)
Your total monthly debt payments (across ALL MCAs, loans, and obligations) should not exceed 25-35% of your gross monthly revenue. Ideally, we like to see 20-25%.
Example of Healthy Capital Stack:
Gross Monthly Revenue: $120,000
1st Position MCA Payment: $1,500/day ($45,000/month estimated)
2nd Position MCA Payment: $800/day ($24,000/month estimated)
Total Debt Service: ~$69,000/month (57.5% of revenue)
This business is overleveraged. While they might still be operating, there's no room for additional funding. We would decline this application.
Example of Healthy Capital Stack:
Gross Monthly Revenue: $120,000
1st Position MCA Payment: $600/day ($18,000/month estimated)
Total Debt Service: ~$18,000/month (15% of revenue)
Potential for 2nd position: $50,000 advance with $500/day payment
Resulting Total Debt Service: ~$33,000/month (27.5% of revenue)
This business has room. We could comfortably fund a second position advance that helps them grow without straining operations.
Growth Trajectory Matters
We also evaluate:
Revenue trends: Is your revenue growing, stable, or declining?
Use of funds: Will this capital generate immediate ROI and increase revenue?
Industry factors: Are you in a seasonal business during peak season or off-season?
Management: Does the business owner demonstrate strong financial acumen?
Our Lending Philosophy: 20+ Years of Lessons Learned
LVRG Business Funding has been in this industry for over two decades. We've funded over 10,000 businesses. We've seen it all - the massive successes and the devastating failures.
Here's what we've learned:
1. We Cannot Save Failing Businesses
No matter how much we want to help, lending money to a business that is severely overleveraged and declining in revenue does not save that business. It accelerates its demise while causing financial harm to everyone involved - the business owner, their employees, their family, and our company.
2. We Can Accelerate Successful Businesses
When we lend to a healthy, growing business with a clear strategic plan, we become a catalyst for their success. These businesses use our capital to generate 2x, 3x, or even 10x returns. They pay us back quickly and profitably, and they often return to us when they need capital for their next growth phase.
3. Timing Is Everything
A merchant cash advance taken at the right time, for the right reasons, by the right business can be transformational. The same product taken at the wrong time, for the wrong reasons, by a struggling business can be catastrophic.
4. Sustainable Business = Sustainable Lending
For LVRG to continue serving Michigan businesses and businesses nationwide for the next 20 years, we must maintain sustainable lending practices. This means saying "no" to applications that don't meet our criteria, even when we genuinely want to help.
Industries We Serve
LVRG Business Funding provides merchant cash advances, revenue-based financing, and working capital loans to businesses across numerous industries:
High-Volume Card Transaction Industries:
Restaurants & Bars: Fast-casual, fine dining, breweries, cafes
Retail: Boutiques, specialty stores, e-commerce + brick-and-mortar
Auto Services: Repair shops, detailing, tire shops, quick lube
Salons & Spas: Hair salons, barbershops, day spas, med spas
Healthcare: Dental practices, medical practices, veterinary clinics
B2B and Invoice-Based Industries:
Construction: General contractors, specialty trades, equipment operators
Manufacturing: Small to mid-sized manufacturers, custom fabrication
Professional Services: Marketing agencies, IT services, consulting firms
Wholesale/Distribution: Product distributors, wholesalers
Technology & Recurring Revenue:
SaaS Companies: Software with monthly recurring revenue
Subscription Services: Any business with predictable recurring revenue
Why Business Owners Choose to Work With Us
20+ Years of Small Business Lending Experience
Two decades in business financing means we've navigated every economic condition and funded businesses through boom times and recessions. This experience directly benefits you - we know which growth strategies work and which situations to avoid. We've helped over 10,000 businesses access the working capital they needed to expand, and that pattern recognition helps us structure your deal intelligently.
Direct Lender = Better Terms for You
As a merchant advance direct lender, we make our own funding decisions and hold our own contracts. This means:
Faster decisions (offers in 2-3 hours)
Same-day funding available
No intermediaries marking up your costs
Direct relationship with the people who understand your business
Transparent & Ethical Business Practices
We believe in complete transparency. You will always know:
Exactly how much you're receiving
Exactly how much you're repaying
Exactly what your daily or weekly payment will be
All fees and costs upfront - no surprises
Flexible Funding Structure for Your Business Needs
1st through 4th position merchant cash advance funding available
ACH or credit card split repayment options that work with your cash flow
$25,000 to $1.5 Million in immediate cash flow financing
Customized repayment schedules based on your revenue patterns
Fast Business Funding When Timing Matters
When you spot a growth opportunity, speed matters. We make funding offers within 2-3 hours and can deposit funds the same business day. Whether you're acquiring a competitor, stocking up for peak season, or found perfect equipment at auction, fast business funding keeps you competitive.
Alternative Terminology: Same Financing Solutions, Different Names
If you're searching for any of these terms, you're looking for the business financing solutions we offer:
Revenue-Based Financing (RBF) - Repayment tied to your revenue performance
Sales-Based Financing - Capital advanced against future sales
Working Capital Loans - Short-term financing for operational needs
Business Cash Advance - Lump sum advance for immediate cash flow
Merchant Loan - Alternative term for merchant cash advance
Future Receivables Financing - Purchase of future payment receivables
Immediate Cash Flow Financing - Fast funding for urgent business needs
Alternative Business Financing - Non-bank financing solutions
Small Business Lending - Direct lending to small and mid-sized businesses
These are all variations of the same basic structure: upfront working capital in exchange for a percentage of future revenue or sales. The terminology varies, but the core financing solution remains the same - fast access to business funding when you need it.
Common Ways Businesses Use Strategic Growth Capital
When businesses access working capital loans and immediate cash flow financing for the right reasons, here's how that business funding typically drives measurable growth:
Inventory Expansion
ROI Timeline: Immediate to 30 days Using business working capital to purchase additional inventory lets you meet seasonal demand, take advantage of supplier discounts, or stock high-margin products. Many retailers and e-commerce businesses use merchant cash advances to turn inventory 2-3x faster, generating immediate ROI that pays back the advance quickly.
Equipment Acquisition
ROI Timeline: 30-90 days Using alternative business financing to purchase equipment that increases production capacity, improves efficiency, or enables new service offerings. A restaurant might use fast business funding to buy a new oven that doubles output. A contractor might use immediate cash flow financing to buy equipment that allows them to take larger, more profitable jobs.
Marketing & Advertising
ROI Timeline: 30-120 days Funding proven marketing campaigns during peak seasons. A landscaping company might fund a spring advertising blitz. An e-commerce company might scale profitable Facebook ads.
Hiring Key Personnel
ROI Timeline: 90-180 days Bringing on sales staff, technicians, or other revenue-generating employees. The upfront capital covers recruiting, onboarding, and initial payroll until the new hire becomes profitable.
Location Expansion
ROI Timeline: 120-365 days Opening a second (or third, or fourth) location, whether that's a new retail store, restaurant, or service location. This is one of the most common and successful uses of growth capital.
Renovation & Upgrades
ROI Timeline: 60-180 days Upgrading facilities to improve customer experience, increase capacity, or meet regulatory requirements. A restaurant might renovate to add outdoor seating. A retail store might modernize to compete with newer competitors.
Acquisition Opportunities
ROI Timeline: Varies Acquiring a competitor, complementary business, or valuable asset (like a customer list or intellectual property) that immediately increases revenue.
Seasonal Preparation
ROI Timeline: Immediate to 90 days Building inventory, hiring seasonal staff, and marketing ahead of peak season. Businesses with strong seasonal patterns (like landscaping, holiday retail, or summer tourism) often use this strategically.
What We Don't Fund
To be completely transparent, here are scenarios where we will decline an application:
❌ Gross monthly revenue below $50,000
❌ Existing MCA debt that exceeds 40% of monthly revenue
❌ Declining revenue trends over the past 6 months without a clear turnaround plan
❌ Capital needed for "survival" rather than growth
❌ Businesses with more than 4 existing MCA positions
❌ Businesses where the owner cannot articulate a clear ROI plan for the capital
❌ Industries we don't serve (cannabis, adult entertainment, cryptocurrency, multi-level marketing)
A Direct Message to Overleveraged Business Owners
If you're reading this and you recognize yourself in the "wrong time to borrow" scenarios - if you have multiple merchant cash advances, declining revenue, and you're searching for one more advance to get you through another month - we need to be honest with you:
We cannot help you.
Not because we don't care, but because lending you more money in your current situation would be harmful to you, your business, your employees, and your family. There is no merchant cash advance, from any lender, that will save a business that is severely overleveraged and declining. Additional debt will only make the situation worse.
How to Apply
If you've read this entire page and you believe your business meets our criteria - if you're seeking strategic growth capital for a healthy, growing business with a clear plan for ROI - we'd love to talk to you.
Application Process:
Step 1: Quick Pre-Qualification (5 Minutes) Complete our brief online application with basic business information.
Step 2: Document Submission (15 Minutes) Provide 3-4 months of bank statements or merchant processing statements to verify revenue.
Step 3: Review & Offer (2-3 Hours) Our underwriting team reviews your application and business financials. If approved, we'll send you a detailed funding offer with all terms clearly outlined.
Step 4: Agreement & Funding (Same Day) Once you review and accept the offer, we'll send final agreements. Upon signing, funds are deposited directly into your bank account - often the same day.
What You'll Need:
Business bank statements: Last 3-4 months
Merchant processing statements (if applicable): Last 3-4 months
Government-issued ID: Driver's license or passport
Voided check from your business bank account
Quick Facts About Our Process:
✅ No lengthy applications
✅ No business plan required
✅ No collateral required
✅ Bad credit considered (if revenue is strong)
✅ Offers in 2-3 hours
✅ Same-day funding available
✅ No prepayment penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a merchant cash advance and a loan?
A merchant cash advance is technically not a loan - it's a purchase of future receivables. Rather than borrowing money with fixed interest and payment schedules, you're selling a portion of future revenue at a discount. Repayment is flexible and tied to your actual sales or revenue.
How much will my payments be?
Payments are typically structured in one of two ways:
Credit Card Split: A fixed percentage (usually 10-20%) of your daily credit card sales
ACH/Fixed Daily: A fixed daily amount debited from your bank account (typically $500-$3,000/day depending on the advance size)
The payment amount is determined by your revenue, the advance amount, and the repayment term.
What's a factor rate?
Instead of an interest rate, MCAs use a "factor rate" (typically 1.15 to 1.45). If you receive $100,000 with a 1.3 factor rate, you'll repay $130,000 total. The factor rate is applied once at the beginning - there's no compounding interest.
How fast can I get funded?
We typically make offers within 2-3 hours of receiving your complete application. Once you accept the offer and sign agreements, funding can occur the same business day.
Can I pay off early?
Yes, and there are no prepayment penalties. Many of our clients pay off their advances early as their businesses grow and generate additional cash flow.
What if I already have an existing MCA?
We fund second, third, and fourth positions regularly - as long as there's sufficient room in your capital stack and you meet our criteria. We'll evaluate your current obligations, revenue, and the purpose of the new funding.
Do you check personal credit?
We do review personal credit as part of our underwriting, but it's not the primary factor. We're more concerned with business revenue, trends, and the strategic use of capital. We work with business owners who have credit challenges if their business fundamentals are strong.
What industries do you not work with?
We generally do not fund: cannabis, adult entertainment, cryptocurrency businesses, multi-level marketing, payday lending, or pawn shops.
Nationwide Reach, Deep Industry Expertise
LVRG Business Funding serves businesses across all 50 states with specialized knowledge across diverse industries:
Manufacturing and production businesses
Tourism and hospitality sectors
Food production and agricultural businesses
Technology and startup ecosystems
Service-based industries nationwide
Regional and national retail operations
We understand seasonal patterns, economic factors, and industry-specific opportunities regardless of your location. Our 20+ years of experience funding businesses coast-to-coast gives us the insight to evaluate opportunities in any market.
The LVRG Difference: Growth, Not Survival
After 20+ years in business financing and a comprehensive rebrand entering 2026, LVRG Business Funding stands for something specific:
We fund business growth. We don't fund business survival.
This isn't just a tagline - it's our lending philosophy, our underwriting criteria, and our commitment to sustainable, responsible business financing.
If your business is healthy, growing, and you have a strategic opportunity that requires capital - we want to be your funding partner.
If your business is struggling, overleveraged, and you're looking for a lifeline - we want to be honest with you that more debt isn't the answer.
Ready to Grow? Let's Talk.
LVRG Business Funding
Direct Lender | Nationwide Service
Loan Amounts: $25,000 - $1.5 Million
Positions: 1st through 4th
Minimum Monthly Revenue: $50,000
Response Time: 2-3 Hours
Funding Speed: Same Day Available
Contact Us:
Phone: (855) 998-5874
Email: info@lvrgllc.com
Apply Online: https://www.lvrgllc.com/apply-now
Serving: Businesses nationwide across all industries
Specializing in: Strategic growth capital, location expansion, equipment acquisition, inventory financing, seasonal preparation, and acquisition funding
Remember: The best time to borrow is BEFORE you need it. The worst time to borrow is WHEN you need it.
As you plan your business funding strategy for 2026, don't wait until you're out of cash and out of options. If you see a growth opportunity on the horizon, let's talk today.
Updated November 25, 2025 - This page reflects LVRG Business Funding's elevated lending standards, updated minimum criteria, and renewed focus on sustainable growth capital for established businesses. All information is current as of this date.