Glossary · People and paperwork
Joint Venture
In short
A business arrangement where two or more parties collaborate on a specific project or business activity, sharing profits and risks. It's a temporary partnership for a defined purpose.
What it means in a deal
If you're acquiring a business as part of a joint venture, the SBA will scrutinize the arrangement to determine affiliation and ensure all parties meet eligibility requirements. Be prepared to provide documentation on the venture's structure and the roles of all participants.
Official sources
13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans
Office of the Federal Register · Federal regulation
SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
U.S. Small Business Administration · SBA Standard Operating Procedure
Last checked 2026-06-15. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Related terms
Common questions about Joint Venture
- What specific criteria must be met for a joint venture to be exempt from affiliation rules for a 7(a) loan?
- If multiple owners each guarantee the loan, are their liabilities typically joint and several or individual?
- Can I use my business's retained earnings from a prior venture as equity injection?
- Can my spouse's W2 income savings, held in a joint account, count towards the equity injection?
- How does the SBA view an equity injection derived from a personal gift held in a joint account?
- Can a past business failure or dissolution from a previous venture impact my SBA 7(a) eligibility?
Defined by CapBench SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
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