Rise Business Funding

Subordinated Debt in North Dakota

North Dakota's economy spans energy production, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and a growing healthcare sector. Whether you operate on the western plains or in the Red River Valley, subordinated debt can provide the flexible, long-term capital your business needs to expand, hire, and compete.

$5K to $5M

Funding range available to qualifying North Dakota businesses

Decisions in 24 Hours

Fast credit decisions so you can plan your next move

All 50 States

Rise Business Funding serves businesses across North Dakota and nationwide

About Subordinated Debt in North Dakota

Subordinated debt sits behind senior lenders in the repayment stack, which makes it a precision tool for North Dakota businesses that have already maxed their primary credit lines but still need capital to move. Rather than displacing your existing bank relationship, it layers underneath, giving you the expansion runway that a conventional term loan cannot reach. That structure fits North Dakota's economy well. The state's approximately 75,000 small businesses with employees operate across sectors where capital timing is everything, from seasonal agri-processing cycles in the Red River Valley to the long lead times required by lignite belt suppliers in Mercer County. For food manufacturing operators anchored to processors like American Crystal Sugar or J.R. Simplot in Grand Forks, subordinated debt can bridge the gap between a major equipment commitment and the next crop-year revenue cycle, all without touching a senior credit facility.

Health care providers across Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks face a distinct version of this challenge. Clinic expansions, diagnostic equipment upgrades, and new-facility builds near health systems like Sanford Health or CHI St. Alexius require capital that moves faster than most SBA timelines allow. Healthcare business loans from Rise Business Funding can complement subordinated debt structures when a provider needs layered capital for a multi-phase project. Retail operators along Fargo's Broadway Corridor face a different pressure: the Downtown Fargo Business Improvement District has generated consistent reinvestment, and retail business loans paired with subordinated debt give merchants the balance-sheet depth to compete in that redevelopment environment. North Dakota's flat individual income tax rate of 1.5%, effective since January 2024 under HB 1158, also reduces the after-tax cost burden for pass-through owners carrying subordinated debt service.

Rise Business Funding structures subordinated debt to match the cash flow realities of each industry, not a generic repayment template. Coal mining and lignite energy suppliers in western North Dakota can align repayment to commodity revenue cycles. Manufacturers seeking equipment financing or operators evaluating long-term business loans can use a business funding calculator to model how subordinated debt layers alongside existing obligations before submitting an application.

Financing Options in North Dakota

Every product Rise Business Funding offers is available to North Dakota businesses. Choose the structure that fits how you want to access and repay capital.

Subordinated Debt

Subordinated debt provides junior-lien capital that complements your existing senior financing. It is ideal for North Dakota businesses pursuing acquisitions, recapitalizations, or major expansions where senior debt alone falls short.

Learn more

SBA Loans

SBA loans offer government-backed, long-term financing with competitive structures. North Dakota businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, and professional services frequently pair SBA loans with subordinated capital for larger projects.

Learn more

Term Loans

Term loans deliver a lump sum repaid over a fixed schedule, making them a strong foundation for capital stacks. North Dakota businesses use them alongside subordinated debt to fund equipment, real estate, and working capital.

Learn more

Line of Credit

A revolving business line of credit gives North Dakota owners flexible access to working capital as needed. Draw funds for seasonal inventory, payroll gaps, or unexpected expenses and repay when cash flow allows.

Learn more

Equipment Financing

Equipment financing lets you acquire heavy machinery, agricultural equipment, or energy-sector tools without a large upfront outlay. Lenders in our network use the equipment itself as collateral, preserving your other assets.

Learn more

Revenue-Based Financing

Revenue-based financing repays through a percentage of monthly revenue rather than fixed installments. It suits North Dakota businesses with strong but seasonal cash flows, such as agriculture-related suppliers and tourism operators.

Learn more

Requirements to Qualify

North Dakota businesses typically meet the following thresholds. Even if you fall short on one factor, Rise Business Funding evaluates your full financial picture.

Minimum Credit Score

FICO 600+

Most lenders in our network require a personal FICO score of at least 600. A stronger score improves your terms, but business cash flow and collateral also weigh heavily in subordinated debt decisions.

Monthly Revenue

$25,000+

Your business should be generating at least $25,000 in monthly revenue. Larger monthly revenue typically unlocks larger funding amounts; lenders evaluate each application individually based on your business profile.

Time in Business

6+ Months

Businesses operating for at least six months demonstrate enough history for lenders to evaluate performance. Longer operating history and consistent North Dakota revenues strengthen your subordinated debt application significantly.

Business Bank Account

Required

An active business checking account is required to verify revenue and facilitate funding. Keeping personal and business finances separate also demonstrates the financial discipline that lenders in our network look for.

How It Works in North Dakota

1

Apply in Minutes

Complete our simple online application in just a few minutes. Tell us about your North Dakota business, your financing needs, and your current capital structure so we can match you with the right lenders.

2

Receive a Decision in 24 Hours

Lenders in our network review your application quickly. Most North Dakota business owners receive a credit decision within 24 hours, along with term options tailored to their funding goals.

3

Access Your Capital

Once you accept an offer and complete underwriting, funds are disbursed to your business bank account. You can then deploy the capital for your expansion, acquisition, or other strategic initiative.

Why North Dakota Business Owners Choose Rise Business Funding

  • Access to a Broad Lender Network

    Rise Business Funding works with a wide network of vetted lenders who specialize in subordinated debt and layered capital structures, giving North Dakota business owners more options than a single bank relationship provides.

  • Fast, Transparent Process

    We streamline the application and matching process so you spend less time chasing paperwork and more time running your business.

  • Local Industry Knowledge

    From energy operations in the Bakken to agricultural businesses on the plains, we understand the capital needs specific to North Dakota's industries and match you accordingly.

  • Full Product Breadth

    Beyond subordinated debt, lenders in our network offer SBA loans, equipment financing, lines of credit, and more, letting you build a complete capital stack from one source.

Industries We Serve in North Dakota

From the dominant sectors of the North Dakota economy to the small operators that keep neighborhoods running, Rise Business Funding works across every legitimate industry.

North Dakota-Specific Resources

North Dakota's public financing ecosystem offers meaningful support that private capital can complement rather than replace. The North Dakota Development Fund provides gap financing up to $3,000,000 specifically for primary sector businesses, including direct subordinated debt structures, making it a natural first call for manufacturers and agri-processors evaluating their capital stack. Bank of North Dakota, the only state-owned bank in the nation, offers participation loan programs through local lead lenders that can sit alongside a Rise Business Funding subordinated debt facility. Dakota Business Lending, the state's oldest CDFI and largest SBA 504 provider, covers fixed-asset and real estate needs, while Lewis and Clark Development Group administers revolving loan funds and a USDA-backed meat and poultry lending program for processors across 38 municipalities. These programs address specific tranches of capital, and a Rise Business Funding subordinated debt facility can fill the stack above them.

Bank of North Dakota

The only state-owned bank in the nation, BND offers a suite of business loan programs including the PACE interest buydown, Flex PACE, Beginning Entrepreneur Loan Guarantee (up to $500,000), Business Development Loan Program (up to $1,000,000 BND participation), and an SBA Guaranteed Loan Purchase Program, all delivered in partnership with local lead lenders across North Dakota.

bnd.nd.gov

North Dakota Development Fund

Established in 1991 by the North Dakota Department of Commerce, the North Dakota Development Fund provides gap financing of up to $3,000,000 for primary sector businesses through direct loans, participation loans, subordinated debt, and equity investments to cover real estate, equipment, and working capital needs not available from traditional sources.

commerce.nd.gov

Dakota Business Lending

Founded in 1982 and certified as the first North Dakota-based CDFI, Dakota Business Lending is the oldest and largest SBA 504 Certified Development Company in North Dakota, offering SBA 504 loans for commercial real estate and fixed assets, as well as a Direct Business Loan (DBL) program ranging from $1,000 to $75,000 for startups and underserved borrowers, and New Markets Tax Credit financing for larger projects in distressed areas.

dakotabusinesslending.com

Lewis and Clark Development Group

LCD Group is a collaboration of three nonprofits serving North Dakota that administers SBA 504 loans statewide, regional revolving loan funds for a 10-county area, the North Dakota Opportunity Fund for small businesses in 38 municipalities, and a USDA-funded Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program backed by a $15 million revolving fund for meat and poultry processors across North Dakota.

lcdgroup.org

SBA North Dakota District Office

The SBA North Dakota District Office, based in Fargo, services all 53 counties in the state and provides access to SBA 7(a), 504, and microloan programs, along with federal contracting certifications, disaster recovery assistance, and connections to local lenders and resource partners.

sba.gov

USDA Rural Development North Dakota State Office

The USDA Rural Development North Dakota State Office in Bismarck administers business programs including the Business and Industry Loan Guarantee, Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants and loan guarantees, and the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program for rural small businesses and agricultural enterprises statewide.

rd.usda.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

About Funding in North Dakota

Subordinated debt is a layer of financing that ranks below senior secured loans in repayment priority. Because it carries more risk for the lender, it typically comes with higher interest rates than senior debt. For North Dakota businesses, subordinated debt allows you to access additional capital beyond what a senior lender will provide, filling the gap between your equity and total project cost. It is commonly used in acquisitions, expansions, and recapitalizations across sectors like energy, agriculture, and healthcare in North Dakota.

Get Subordinated Debt Today

Apply in under 5 minutes. No credit impact. Funding decisions in 24 hours.