Small Business Center

OPIC’s Small Business Center (SBC) offers qualified small businesses, with annual revenues less than $35 million, the opportunity to utilize OPIC’s streamlined approval process.

For businesses with annual revenues over $35 million but under $250 million, please browse through the other parts of our Financing section using the menu on the right.

SBC Financing offers direct loans from $100,000 to $10 million with terms from 3-15 years. While the eligible U.S. small business must own at least 25 percent of the overseas project, OPIC may be able to finance up to 65 percent of the total project costs.

Interest rates for SBC loans are fixed for the life of the loan and are based upon OPIC’s cost of funds for comparable maturities plus an appropriate risk spread. In addition, there may be a one-time facility fee of up to 2 percent and an annual maintenance fee not to exceed 1 percent of the outstanding balance of the loan.

Apply to the Small Business Center

For financing, the small business must submit a completed finance application, including all required attachments to the application, such as a formal business plan, financial projections, financial statements, and sponsor disclosure forms. See the apply section.

OPIC's political risk insurance products are available to small businesses at a reduced cost and through a streamlined approval process. Insurance is available for investments in new ventures, expansions of existing enterprises, privatizations and acquisitions with positive developmental benefits.

OPIC recommends that investors contact an OPIC representative to discuss their project proposal prior to submitting an application package. For more information, please contact the Information Officer at 202-336-8799 or email info@opic.gov.