$100k for startup

After I save up 100k, I want to leave the industry. I only have rudimentary programming skills so a tech start up without a developer won't work. I really want to start a something like a smoothie shop, but think it'll be too much. What viable startup ideas are there with $100k capital?

10 Comments
 

There's money in the banana stand.

Seriously...the hard part of a startup isn't getting 100K. It's having an idea worth your 100K, and your time.

Life, liberty and the pursuit of Starwood Points
 

I feel you on the desire to do something non-tech / non-internet based. I'm also working on something non-tech in my off-hours. My feelings are essentially, try and find something you can work on while you have a day job and live frugally so you can save cash and put cash into your venture. That way, you can feel secure and work towards making your business viable without serious risk.

 

Small store, food service or retail may suffice with 100k-add a couple grand here and there with family and friends(living costs and legal BS).

Ever think about using other peoples money? Thats the real American dream.

 

crowd funding

Disclaimer for the Kids: Any forward-looking statements are solely for informational purposes and cannot be taken as investment advice. Consult your moms before deciding where to invest.
 

How much equity capital / credit score / solid business plan do you need to incorporate a lot of leverage into the mix? I've heard apartment complex developers / owners are highly leveraged up to 75% of the initial investment and can see IRR's in the 30-40% range year-over-year due to the leverage and tax savings on interest expense.

Like OP, I would like to eventually own my own business of some kind after saving anywhere from $100-500k. Would be even better if I could go it in a non-US country with a lower cost of living and really make those greenbacks work for me.

My name is Nicky, but you can call me Dre.
 
Best Response

If you want to open a smoothie shop or something in that range...

Just get an SBA loan. You dont need to put up all your cash for it. 10% down for the loan and you are good to go. Anyone can get an SBA loan. Its a joke. Your 'business plan' and 'projections' is a 1 page of bullshit with some more bullshit numbers in a 3 year projection template that you take a swing at. As long as you are showing 'realistic' numbers in your projections, have the down payment, and ok credit you will be good to go with an SBA.

Only down side of an SBA loan - they will take out 1st or 2nds on basically everything you own in order to get enough collateral to cover themselves. Oh and its a bit more expensive with fees (you can roll that into the loan) and higher interest rates (WSJ Prime + 1) then a traditional loan.

Traditional financing for say Real Estate is around a 40 - 60% down payment. Around 80% of banks are not lending on commercial right now, but if the commercial property is leased with a decent tenant then you can get a loan on it with the 40-60% down. Interest rates run 4-6%.

Multi family properties you can get interest rates as low as 3.5% right now. Banks are eating those up w/ 40% down.

You can also get an SBA loan for real estate, but only if you occupy at least 51% of the building. SBA wont do loans on real estate for investing.

 

Sit voluptas sunt maxime tempora dolorem. Possimus non quia architecto itaque rem suscipit. Id dolorem illum consequatur iusto iste.

Incidunt cumque et nihil nihil. Ipsam non est sit iste at. Dolorem qui reprehenderit autem et officia ducimus aliquam. Libero pariatur odio error quaerat.

Et enim dolores quasi quia perspiciatis quo similique iure. Accusamus eos qui ea nisi quia. Delectus laborum iure numquam et in rerum nemo velit. Autem iusto expedita nam hic voluptas in. Repellendus delectus explicabo aspernatur ea alias suscipit. Eos voluptas delectus architecto dolores. Soluta quibusdam fugit et culpa et necessitatibus.

Cumque in est dignissimos et qui. At quis facere et ad. In sint adipisci et harum.

My name is Nicky, but you can call me Dre.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (68) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”