Raising Funds Was Already Tough For Small Businesses — Then Came The Shutdown

ByNick Clunn,

Forbes Staff.

Nearly three-quarters of small business owners said economic conditions are challenging their company’s ability to raise funds — and that was several months before the government shutdown froze core lending programs administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The Forbes Research 2025 Small Business Survey, which was conducted in the spring and involved 535 U.S. respondents, also found that 70% of small business owners feel the economy is challenging their ability to expand using loans and investments.

Now the context is even more challenging for small business owners as the government shutdown in Washington seems likely to enter its second month.