How many small businesses are in Florida?

Florida has approximately 3.3 million small businesses, representing 99.8 percent of all businesses in the state. They employ 3.6 million workers — 40.9 percent of Florida's private workforce. Source: SBA Office of Advocacy, 2024 Small Business Profile.

How active is SBA 7(a) lending in Florida?

Florida ranked third nationally in SBA 7(a) activity in FY2024: 5,903 loans approved for a total of $2.8 billion. The average loan size was approximately $480,000. Source: SBA FOIA loan dataset, FY2024 aggregate.

Does Florida have a commercial financing disclosure law?

Yes. Florida enacted commercial financing disclosure requirements (Ch. 559.951+) effective July 2023. Financing providers must disclose total payment, APR-equivalent, and other cost terms. The obligation is on the funding lender — our lender partners deliver Florida-compliant disclosures directly to borrowers at offer stage.

What financing products work best for Florida small businesses?

Tourism and hospitality businesses favor working capital lines and revenue-based financing to handle seasonality. Construction businesses use equipment financing and SBA 7(a). Healthcare and professional services use SBA 7(a) for longer-term capital and lines of credit for operations. The best fit depends on your revenue, time in business, and use of funds.

Is ClearValue Lending available in Florida?

Yes. ClearValue Lending routes Florida SMB applicants to lender partners operating across all Florida markets — Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Tampa Bay, Orlando, Jacksonville, and statewide. ClearValue Lending is a funding platform, not a lender or broker.

What are typical eligibility minimums for Florida SMB financing?

SBA 7(a) typically requires 2+ years in business, 650+ FICO, and $150,000+ annual revenue. Revenue-based financing may be available with 500+ FICO, 6+ months in business, and $10,000+ monthly revenue. All financing is subject to the funding lender's underwriting on the full file — these are network-typical ranges, not guarantees.

Small Business Loans in Florida

Florida is the third-most-active SBA 7(a) lending state in the country. In FY2024, Florida small businesses received 5,903 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $2.8 billion, with an average loan size of approximately $480,000. Florida has 3.3 million small businesses — 99.8 percent of all Florida businesses — employing 3.6 million workers across a uniquely broad SMB landscape: tourism, real estate, construction, professional services, and healthcare all have substantial SMB concentrations.