Building business credit is crucial for startups and small businesses looking to establish financial credibility and access better funding opportunities. While personal credit scores are tied to your Social Security number (SSN), business credit is linked to your Employer Identification Number (EIN) that helps create a separate financial identity for your company. Having strong business credit can lead to better loan terms, higher credit limits, and more favorable supplier relationships. If you’re looking to build business credit, these are the top companies to consider during your search for credit-building opportunities.
Must-Know Business Credit-Building Partners
The journey to building business credit requires strategic partnerships with companies that report payment activities to major business credit bureaus. These partners range from fintech platforms to traditional suppliers — each offering unique advantages for businesses at different stages of growth. The key is to choose partners that not only report to credit bureaus, but also provide services that align with your business needs.
1. BILL
BILL offers a comprehensive suite of financial tools that combine spend management, business credit-building, and automated payment processing in one platform. The platform’s core strength lies in its automated accounts payable and accounts receivable systems, which help businesses maintain consistent payment histories — a crucial factor in building strong business credit.
The BILL Divvy corporate card program reports payment activity to major business credit bureaus, helping businesses establish and build their credit profiles without requiring personal guarantees from qualified businesses. BILL’s platform also includes sophisticated cash flow management tools, real-time spending controls, and expense categorization features. These tools help businesses maintain healthy financial practices while building credit, making it easier to qualify for better terms and higher credit limits over time.
2. Mercury
Mercury has positioned itself as the banking platform of choice for startups and technology companies, offering a unique blend of traditional banking services and modern financial tools. The Mercury platform is specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced by high-growth companies and startup founders.
The company’s business banking services include Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-insured accounts — complete with checking and savings options — as well as a corporate credit card: the Mercury IO Mastercard. Mercury’s credit program is particularly noteworthy for its startup-friendly underwriting criteria, which considers factors beyond traditional credit scores.
Additionally, Mercury’s platform includes sophisticated treasury management features that help businesses optimize their cash positions while building credit. The company’s automated cash management tools and competitive interest rates on deposits make it easier for businesses to maintain healthy cash reserves, which can positively impact their creditworthiness.
3. Nav
Nav is a comprehensive business credit and financing platform, acting as a crucial bridge between businesses and credit opportunities. The Nav platform provides unique insights into both business and personal credit scores, helping entrepreneurs understand how their credit profiles impact their financing options.
The company’s credit monitoring services go beyond simple score tracking by offering detailed analyses of credit factors and specific recommendations for improvement. Nav provides real-time alerts about changes to your credit profile and identifies potential issues before they become serious problems.
Nav’s marketplace approach sets it apart by matching businesses with financing options based on their actual approval odds. This includes various types of business credit cards, term loans, and lines of credit — all prefiltered based on the business’s credit profile and financial characteristics.
The platform also offers educational resources and tools to help businesses understand how different financing decisions can impact their credit-building journey. Nav’s credit experts provide personalized guidance on building business credit and navigating the complex world of business financing.
4. Quill
Quill has established itself as more than just an office supply company. For many businesses, Quill serves as a strategic partner in their business credit-building efforts. Quill’s Net 30 Terms program is specifically designed to help businesses establish and build their credit profiles while maintaining essential supply chains.
The company offers a straightforward application process for business credit accounts, making them accessible to newer businesses. Once approved, Quill reports payment activities to major business credit bureaus thereby helping businesses build their credit profiles through regular purchases and timely payments.
Quill’s business program includes features like detailed spending analytics, customized reporting, and account management tools. These features help businesses track their purchasing patterns and maintain organized records of their payment history, which is crucial for credit-building.
Beyond helping businesses build their credit, Quill provides competitive pricing, bulk discounts, and a rewards program that helps businesses maximize their purchasing power. Quill’s wide selection of office supplies, furniture, and business essentials makes the company a practical partner for businesses looking to build credit through regular operational expenses.
5. Creative Analytics
Creative Analytics combines its data analytics and digital marketing expertise with business credit-building opportunities through a business account program with 30-day payment terms. As a service provider that reports to both Creditsafe and Equifax Business, the company offers businesses a unique way to build credit while accessing valuable digital marketing and analytics services.
Creative Analytics’ net 30 account program requires an annual fee of $79, making it a relatively affordable option for businesses looking to establish trade references. The application process includes a credit assessment and may require business references, indicating this company’s commitment to maintaining a quality credit program while still remaining accessible to growing businesses.
The company’s dual role as both a credit reference and a service provider offers distinct advantages. Businesses can build their credit profiles while simultaneously accessing Creative Analytics’ core services, which include data analytics, digital marketing solutions, and business consulting. This combination allows companies to invest in their growth while building their credit history.
6. Growegy
Growegy combines advanced technology with business credit-building through an innovative platform, offering artificial intelligence (AI)-powered business management and marketing tools specifically designed for startups and small businesses. The company’s comprehensive suite of services helps businesses optimize operations while building their business credit through Growegy’s structured payment programs.
The company offers flexible payment options for its NET30 account, allowing businesses to choose between a monthly plan at $55 per month or an annual plan split into three installments that total $600. This flexibility makes Growegy services accessible to businesses at different growth stages while providing opportunities to build credit history. Growegy maintains strong relationships with major credit bureaus, reporting payment activity to both Experian and Equifax Business, with additional manual verification available for Dun & Bradstreet reporting.
Getting started with Growegy’s credit-building program is designed to be straightforward and accessible. The application process requires basic business information, including the legal company name, business address, and EIN for verification. This streamlined approach helps businesses quickly begin establishing their credit profiles while accessing valuable business tools.
7. Dun & Bradstreet CreditSignal®
As one of the most respected names in business credit reporting, Dun & Bradstreet’s CreditSignal® service provides essential insights into business credit profiles. This service offers businesses visibility into their D&B® scores and ratings, which are widely used by potential creditors and partners.
The platform provides alerts about changes to D&B scores and ratings, helping businesses stay informed about their credit status. These real-time notifications allow businesses to quickly address any issues that might negatively impact their credit profile and capitalize on positive changes.
CreditSignal® includes access to basic information about who has been inquiring about a business’s credit file, providing valuable insight into potential opportunities or concerns. The service also helps businesses understand how their D&B scores compare to industry averages and competitors.
Beyond monitoring, D&B provides educational resources and guidelines for building and maintaining strong business credit profiles. The company’s expertise in business credit reporting makes it an authoritative source for best practices in business credit-building.
8. Credit Suite
Credit Suite offers a comprehensive approach to business credit-building, combining educational resources with practical tools and support. The company’s platform is designed to guide businesses through every stage of the credit-building process — from establishing initial credit to securing funding.
The company’s business credit-building program includes step-by-step guidance for establishing credit with vendors and suppliers who report to major business credit bureaus. Credit Suite maintains an extensive database of credit sources and helps businesses choose the most appropriate options based on their current situation.
The company’s funding suite provides access to various financing options, including credit lines, loans, and alternative funding sources. Credit Suite’s experts work with businesses to develop comprehensive funding strategies that leverage both traditional and alternative credit sources.
This provider offers ongoing support and monitoring to help businesses track their progress and adjust their credit-building strategies, as needed. Plus, Credit Suite provides regular updates about new credit opportunities and changes in the business credit landscape that might impact its clients’ credit-building efforts.
9. Brex
Brex has revolutionized the corporate card industry with its unique approach to business credit — particularly for startups and high-growth companies. Unlike traditional credit card issuers, Brex evaluates businesses based on their cash balance, spending patterns, and revenue rather than personal credit scores or business credit history.
The Brex corporate card comes with industry-leading rewards focused on common business expenses like software subscriptions, travel, and restaurant purchases. The company’s underwriting model allows it to offer higher credit limits than traditional business credit cards, and Brex doesn’t require personal guarantees from business owners.
Brex’s platform includes sophisticated expense management tools that help businesses track and categorize spending in real-time. However, it’s important to note that this credit-building platform is only available for venture-backed startups.
10. Uline
Uline stands out as a premier supplier of shipping, industrial, and packaging materials, offering a robust business credit program that helps businesses build their credit profiles. The company’s net-30 vendor accounts are particularly valuable for businesses looking to establish trade credit references.
The company’s credit application process is straightforward and accessible to businesses of various sizes. Once approved, Uline reports payment activity to major business credit bureaus regularly thereby helping businesses build their credit profiles through consistent purchasing and payment patterns.
Uline’s business program includes features like detailed order history tracking, customized reporting, and automated reordering capabilities. These tools help businesses manage their purchases efficiently while maintaining the consistent payment patterns necessary for building strong credit.
11. Office Depot/Office Max
Office Depot/Office Max offers a robust business credit program designed to help companies build their credit profiles while managing their office supply needs. The company’s business accounts provide flexible payment terms and regular reporting to major business credit bureaus, making it an excellent partner for businesses at any stage of growth.
The company’s business credit program includes features like detailed purchase tracking, customized spending limits for different employees, and consolidated billing options. These tools help businesses maintain organized records of their purchases and payments, which is essential for building and maintaining good credit.
The company’s business pricing program offers significant discounts on regular purchases, helping businesses maximize their purchasing power while building credit. The program includes access to dedicated business specialists who can help optimize purchasing strategies and manage credit utilization effectively.
12. Grainger
Grainger, a leading industrial supply company, offers comprehensive business credit solutions that help companies build their credit profiles while accessing essential industrial and maintenance supplies. Grainger’s business credit program is designed to accommodate companies of various sizes and credit profiles.
The company’s net-30 account terms are accompanied by sophisticated online account management tools. Grainger’s regular reporting to business credit bureaus helps businesses establish and maintain strong credit profiles through consistent purchasing and payment activities.