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12 Best Business Credit Cards for Startups With No Credit of January 2025

Written by

Kelsey Sheehy

Edited by

Ryan Lane

Last updated on January 9, 2025

Fact checked and reviewed
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Startups with no credit can still open a business credit card. Most card issuers prioritize your personal credit score over factors like business credit score or revenue. That means new companies can get a business credit card right away.
Lacking personal credit? Consider a personal or business secured card. A secured personal card will help build your personal credit score, positioning you to eventually upgrade to an unsecured startup business credit card. But if you simply want to establish your startup's credit, a secured business card is the better choice. The best option is the Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured card.

Looking for a business credit card?

See our overall favorites, or choose a feature that will benefit your business spending the most.

Our top overall picks

on Nerdwallet's secure site

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.

Startups with no credit can still open a business credit card. Most card issuers prioritize your personal credit score over factors like business credit score or revenue. That means new companies can get a business credit card right away.
Lacking personal credit? Consider a personal or business secured card. A secured personal card will help build your personal credit score, positioning you to eventually upgrade to an unsecured startup business credit card. But if you simply want to establish your startup's credit, a secured business card is the better choice. The best option is the Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured card.

Looking for a business credit card?

See our overall favorites, or choose a feature that will benefit your business spending the most.

Our top overall picks

on Nerdwallet's secure site

Here are the best business credit cards for startups with no credit

Best forNerdWallet ratingAnnual feeRewards rateIntro offerLearn more

Overall business card for startups with no credit

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

on Chase's website

4.9/5
$0

1.5%

Cashback

$750

on Chase's website

Travel rewards

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

4.7/5
$0 intro for the first year, then $95

2x-5x

Points

50,000

Points

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Travel rewards + sign-up bonus

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

4.8/5
$95

1x-3x

Points

90,000

Points

on Chase's website

No annual fee travel card

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card

on Bank of America's website

4.2/5
$0

1.5x

Points

30,000

Points

on Bank of America's website

Corporate card (no personal guarantee)

Ramp Card

on Ramp's website

3.6/5
$0

1%-1.5%

Cashback

N/A

on Ramp's website

Corporate card for venture-backed startups

Brex Card

on Brex's website

4.3/5
$0

1x-7x

Points

10,000

Points

on Brex's website

Secured card to build personal credit

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264

Rates & Fees

5.0/5
$0

1%-2%

Cashback

Cashback Match™

on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264

Rates & Fees

Startups with annual spend below $50K

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

4.5/5
$0

1%-2%

Cashback

$250

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

Cash-back boost (up to 75%)

Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

on Bank of America's website

4.6/5
$0

1.5%

Cashback

$300

on Bank of America's website

Intro APR + AmEx Membership Rewards

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

4.4/5
$0

1x-2x

Points

15,000

Points

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

Corporate card for fair credit

BILL Divvy Corporate Card

on BILL Spend & Expense's website

3.6/5
$0

1x-7x

Points

N/A

on BILL Spend & Expense's website

Business credit card for fair, average credit

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

on Capital on Tap's website

4.6/5
$0

1.5%

N/A

on Capital on Tap's website

I'M INTERESTED IN:

Our pick for

Overall business card for startups with no credit

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

on Chase's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
$750

Pros

  • High rewards rate
  • Intro APR period
  • No reward caps
  • New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

  • No bonus categories

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

NerdWallet rating 

4.9/5

on Chase's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
$750

Our pick for

Travel rewards

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

on Capital One's website

Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Rewards rate
2x-5x Points
Intro offer
50,000 Points

Pros

  • High rewards rate
  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • No reward caps
  • Statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®
  • Annual fee waived for first year

Cons

  • Reports all card activity to consumer credit bureaus
  • Does not include lounge access or automatic elite status

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

NerdWallet rating 

4.7/5

on Capital One's website

Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Rewards rate
2x-5x Points
Intro offer
50,000 Points

Our pick for

Travel rewards + sign-up bonus

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

Annual fee
$95
Rewards rate
1x-3x Points
Intro offer
90,000 Points

Pros

  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • High reward redemption rate
  • Transfer partners

Cons

  • Does not include lounge access or travel credits

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

NerdWallet rating 

4.8/5

on Chase's website

Annual fee
$95
Rewards rate
1x-3x Points
Intro offer
90,000 Points

Our pick for

No annual fee travel card

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card

on Bank of America's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5x Points
Intro offer
30,000 Points

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR offer
  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • No reward caps
  • Bonus rewards for qualifying Preferred Rewards for Business members

Cons

  • Requires excellent credit
  • Multiple accounts, high combined balance required to get Preferred Rewards bonus
  • Does not include lounge access or travel credits

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card

NerdWallet rating 

4.2/5

on Bank of America's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5x Points
Intro offer
30,000 Points

Our pick for

Corporate card (no personal guarantee)

Ramp Card

on Ramp's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
N/A

Pros

  • No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
  • No personal guarantee or credit check
  • Direct integrations with tools and card-level spending controls

Cons

  • Balance must be paid in full each month
  • Not available to sole proprietors
  • Rewards rate varies and is determined per customer

Ramp Card

NerdWallet rating 

3.6/5

on Ramp's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
N/A

Our pick for

Corporate card for venture-backed startups

Brex Card

on Brex's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-7x Points
Intro offer
10,000 Points

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • No personal guarantee
  • Can apply with EIN only

Cons

  • Complicated rewards structure
  • High capital requirement for approval
  • Daily repayment may be required
  • Not available to sole proprietors

Brex Card

NerdWallet rating 

4.3/5

on Brex's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-7x Points
Intro offer
10,000 Points

Our pick for

Secured card to build personal credit

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2% Cashback
Intro offer
Cashback Match™

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Reports to the three major credit bureaus
  • Qualify with limited/bad credit
  • Earns rewards
  • New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

  • Requires minimum deposit
  • High APR

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

NerdWallet rating 

5.0/5

on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2% Cashback
Intro offer
Cashback Match™

Our pick for

Startups with annual spend below $50K

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

on American Express' website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2% Cashback
Intro offer
$250

Pros

  • High cash-back bonus rate
  • Intro APR period
  • New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

  • Spending caps on bonus rewards
  • Low rate after you hit bonus cap

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

NerdWallet rating 

4.5/5

on American Express' website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2% Cashback
Intro offer
$250

Our pick for

Cash-back boost (up to 75%)

Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

on Bank of America's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
$300

Pros

  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • High rewards rate
  • Bonus rewards for qualifying Preferred Rewards for Business members

Cons

  • Requires excellent credit
  • Multiple accounts, high combined balance required to get Preferred Rewards bonus

Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

NerdWallet rating 

4.6/5

on Bank of America's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
$300

Our pick for

Intro APR + AmEx Membership Rewards

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

on American Express' website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-2x Points
Intro offer
15,000 Points

Pros

  • High rewards rate
  • Intro APR period
  • New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

  • Spending caps on bonus rewards
  • Low rate after you hit bonus cap

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

NerdWallet rating 

4.4/5

on American Express' website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-2x Points
Intro offer
15,000 Points

Our pick for

Corporate card for fair credit

BILL Divvy Corporate Card

on BILL Spend & Expense's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-7x Points
Intro offer
N/A

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Card-level spending controls
  • No personal guarantee
  • Available to sole proprietors

Cons

  • Complicated rewards structure with limits on redemption
  • Cannot carry a balance
  • No new cardholder bonus offer

BILL Divvy Corporate Card

NerdWallet rating 

3.6/5

on BILL Spend & Expense's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-7x Points
Intro offer
N/A

Our pick for

Business credit card for fair, average credit

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

on Capital on Tap's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5%
Intro offer
N/A

Pros

  • High rewards rate
  • No reward caps
  • Available with fair credit

Cons

  • Not available to sole proprietors, charities or nonprofits
  • Must enroll in automatic payments
  • Potential for very high APR
  • No new cardholder bonus offer

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

NerdWallet rating 

4.6/5

on Capital on Tap's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5%
Intro offer
N/A

Other picks: Business credit cards for startups with no credit

Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured credit card

Best for: Secured business credit card
This product has not been rated by NerdWallet.
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured credit card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no cap or expiration date on the rewards you earn. The card has a minimum security deposit of $1,000, which is equal to your credit limit and subject to credit approval. Bank of America® will periodically review your secured card and may upgrade you to an unsecured card if and when you qualify. This card has no annual fee.

How startups can build business credit

Your business credit score tells potential suppliers and lenders how likely your company is to repay its debts. A better score may improve your chances of securing a small-business loan or getting more favorable terms.
Startups with no credit can establish and build their business credit history by establishing lines of credit via business credit cards and trade lines with suppliers, and making payments on time (or early).
Late payments, high balances on credit cards, tax liens and legal judgments against your business can all hurt your business credit score. Delinquencies and late payments on your business credit cards can affect your personal credit score, too.

Do business credit cards check personal credit?

Yes, nearly all business credit cards check your personal credit when you apply. Why? Because most business cards require a personal guarantee, which means you’re personally liable for the debt if your business fails to pay.
One notable exception: corporate cards. These cards do not require a personal guarantee since they're issued to a company, rather than an individual. Incorporated startups may be able to qualify for a corporate card if they have hefty cash reserves and a history of strong revenue.

Can you get a business credit card with bad personal credit?

Business owners with bad credit or no personal credit will have a hard time qualifying for most business credit cards. The easiest business credit card to get is often a secured card. These cards let you build your credit score before upgrading to a business credit card with better rewards.
Secured cards require an upfront deposit, which determines your credit limit, and a few even offer rewards. Most secured cards still require a personal credit check, though some are available with no credit check.
A secured personal card will help build your personal credit score, but not your business score. Likewise, most secured business credit cards will only help build business credit.
To view rates and fees of
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
, see this page.
To view rates and fees of
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
, see this page.
Last updated on January 9, 2025

Methodology

NerdWallet's business credit card team selects the best small-business credit cards without outside input from partners or other business interests. We evaluate business cards based on value and simplicity, weighing fees, sign-up bonuses and reward rates, alongside perks like interest-free periods, statement credits and elite status (for travel cards). Business cards that earn the highest scores deliver the most value to the greatest number of business owners.
Notable changes to our methodology for 2025 include factoring in whether spending on employee cards earns rewards and counts toward the welcome offer requirements. We also now consider what information the card issuer reports to consumer credit bureaus. Learn how NerdWallet rates small-business credit cards.
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