Capital & Finance Readiness · An ISM Signature Program

Be ready before you ask for capital.

Understand the lending landscape, strengthen the financial story behind your business, and prepare a clearer path to funding.

Explore the program Upcoming cohort
Understand the lender. Strengthen the business. Prepare the ask.
Capital and Finance Readiness program logo
CAPITAL READINESS FILE Know what gets reviewed.
01—05
01Lender fitProducts + terms
02UnderwritingApproval factors
03CreditPersonal + business
04ApplicationDocuments + readiness
05PitchPresent the business
CHARACTERCAPACITYCAPITALCOLLATERALCONDITIONS
Capital is more than the amount you need

A strong ask starts with a stronger business case.

Capital readiness means understanding what a lender is looking for before the application is on their desk.

01
Find the right fitCompare lender types, products, terms, and timing.
02
See the review processUnderstand underwriting and the factors behind approval.
03
Strengthen the fileWork on credit, documentation, collateral, and financial readiness.
Financial documents and calculator on a desk
THE SHIFTFrom “Where can I get money?” to “What makes this business financeable?”
Business professionals meeting across a table
Business paperwork, pen, and financial planning materials
5credit pillars
Inside the underwriting conversation

The five pillars are a lens—not a checklist.

Lenders look at the business from several angles at once. The program helps participants understand how those pieces connect.

UNDERWRITINGHow the file is viewed
CCharacter
CCapacity
CCapital
CCollateral
CConditions
Credit healthDSCRCollateralDocumentation
What changes by the end

Move from uncertainty to a more credible capital conversation.

BEFORE

“Am I actually ready to apply?”

  • Which lender fits?
  • What will underwriting examine?
  • Where is the business weak?
AFTER

A clearer, better-prepared approach.

01Understand lending + underwriting
02Strengthen credit + readiness strategies
03Prepare a stronger loan application
5 weeksTypical cohort duration
1x weeklyLive cohort session
2.5 hoursTypical session length
+ coachingOptional group coaching may be offered

Exact schedule and coaching availability may vary by cohort.

Upcoming cohort
Details coming soon

The next Capital Ready cohort is in development.

Dates, schedule, format, capacity, and application details will be added once finalized.

Application coming soon Questions? Contact ISM
Quick answers

Before you get capital ready.

Do I need to already be ready for a loan?

No. A core part of the program is assessing loan readiness and identifying strategies that can improve qualification.

Does the program cover underwriting and credit?

Yes. The curriculum covers underwriting basics, the five pillars of credit, personal and business credit, and debt service coverage ratio.

Is Capital Ready only for established businesses?

No. The curriculum considers both startups and existing businesses, including the different challenges each may face when pursuing capital.

How long is the program?

The current program model is structured around five weekly sessions, typically 2.5 hours each. Exact scheduling may vary by cohort.