QoE analysis normalizes earnings by identifying and adjusting for one-time items, seller's discretionary earnings (SDE), and other non-recurring events. This gives the lender a much clearer picture of the business’s underlying earning capacity. The new SBA SOP 50 10 8.1 requires a QoE for any acquisition financing over $3 million and the true earnings result determines the borrower's Debt Service Coverage Ratio ("DSCR").

For the most accurate analysis, we require profit and loss, balance sheet, and cash flow statements, three years of business checking account statements and general ledgers, tax returns and relevant business contracts or agreements for the same period. The platform can extract data from PDFs, spreadsheets, and images.

Complete and submit your Business Profile and we will send you an email with a link to the QoE portal.

TradeGauge states that it uses TLS 1.3 encryption in transit, AES-256 encryption at rest, and strict role-based access controls. Its SOC 2 Type II attestation is currently in progress.

Yes. Hardstone meets the SOP 50 10 8.1 QoE requirement and states that its valuations are designed to support SBA loan workflows and provide the detailed documentation that lenders require.

Comprehensive Quality of Earnings analysis are typically ready within 24–48 hours after all relevant financial documents are uploaded to the Hardstone QoE portal. Reports and fees are charged based on the number of General Ledgers that are provided by the client.

Comprehensive reports with Quality of Earnings analysis are typically ready within 24–48 hours, after all relevant financial documents and questionnaire responses are uploaded to the Hardstone QoE portal.

Absolutely! The Hardstone QoE portal uses TLS 1.3 encryption in transit, AES-256 encryption at rest, and strict role-based access controls. Its SOC 2 Type II attestation is currently in progress.

We currently focuses on lower-middle-market businesses in agencies, professional services, light manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and SaaS, with additional verticals added over time. We can also provide white-label access to CPA firms and M&A advisors.

Complete and submit a Business Profile on our website and you will receive an email with a link to the Hardstone QoE portal.

Private credit refers to a loan made by an institutional investor or non-bank lender. In recent years small and lower middle-market companies have increasingly turned to private credit for financing. Some project that the private credit market could expand to $2.8 trillion by 2028. https://www.morganstanley.com/ideas/private-credit-outlook-considerations The lenders of private credit funds are insurance companies, pension funds, business development companies (BDCs), hedge funds, family offices, sovereign wealth funds and high net worth individuals.

Private credit lenders offer faster, more efficient, and more flexible loan terms and will generally accept riskier loan customers than a bank. However, the interest rates from private lenders tend to be higher than interest rates from banks.

Using private credit lenders can offer several advantages: 1. Flexibility in Loan Terms and Structure: Private lenders tend to have more flexibility with loan terms compared to traditional banks. This allows for customized loan structures that can better meet the specific needs of borrowers. 2. Faster Processing and Approval: Private lenders can approve applications and disburse funds more quickly than traditional banks. This can be particularly beneficial for businesses that need quick access to capital. 3. Higher Approval Rates: Private lenders often have higher approval rates for borrowers with less-than-perfect credit scores. This makes it easier for businesses and individuals with lower credit scores to obtain financing. 4. Access to Capital: Private credit provides access to capital for businesses that may not qualify for traditional bank loans. This can be especially important for small and lower middle-market companies that need financing for operations, acquisitions, or balance sheet improvements. Overall, private credit lenders can provide more flexible, faster, and accessible financing options for borrowers.

Any business can qualify for a private credit loan, but there are certain minimum requirements. Working Capital Loans, Term loans, Lines of Credit, and Equipment Financing require a minimum of one year in business, revenue of $100,000 a month and at least a 650 FICO score. Revenue-Based Financing (RBF) are most popular for short-term needs and require 6 months of business checking account statements, a minimum 650 FICO and a minimum of $100,000 a month revenue. Our network includes lenders who have a $50,000 minimum, but most of our clients are seeking flexible financing solutions in the $1M - $25M range. For the larger loan sizes, institutional lenders in our network require a minimum of $200,000 of monthly revenue and a 630 FICO score.

No. Hardstone does not broker Merchant Cash Advances (MCAs) or revenue-based advance products.While MCAs are often marketed as fast, flexible funding, they typically require daily or weekly payments that are tied to future revenue. This structure can create significant cash flow pressure, especially for businesses already managing seasonal fluctuations, inventory purchases, payroll, or growth initiatives.Over time, many companies find themselves trapped in a cycle of stacking multiple advances, where new MCA obligations are used to satisfy existing ones. The result can be shrinking margins, restricted operating flexibility, and limited access to more sustainable forms of capital.Instead of arranging new MCA debt, Hardstone works with specialized restructuring and debt-solution partners who help business owners evaluate options for reducing payment burdens, restructuring obligations, and restoring financial stability. Our goal is to help businesses move away from expensive short-term funding and toward long-term financing solutions that support healthy growth.

No, Hardstone is a private credit broker, not a direct lender. We have prior relationships with many of the leading private credit lenders and screen for others to match our clients with lenders who are most familiar with their industry. We are paid a success fee when a financing closes, but we do not charge an upfront fee for our services.