Glossary · Doing the deal
Joint venture agreement
In short
A contractual arrangement where two or more parties combine resources for a specific project or business activity. For SBA purposes, a joint venture can lead to affiliation, impacting size standards.
What it means in a deal
If the target business is part of a joint venture, or if you plan to enter one, the SBA will scrutinize the agreement. They might consider the joint venture partners affiliated, combining their sizes for eligibility. Review these agreements carefully during due diligence to assess ongoing eligibility for set-aside work or other SBA programs.
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 agreement
- 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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