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NAICS 541715Professional & Technical ServicesLending Growing

How Much Can Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) Businesses Get in SBA Loans?

181 SBA loans totaling $104.6M have been approved for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) businesses (NAICS 541715). The average approved SBA loan is $578K, which is 70% above avg the $340K national average. 91 active lenders fund this industry.

Quick Answer

NAICS 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)) received 181 SBA loans worth $104.6M across 5+ states. Average loan $578K, average term 145 months.91 active SBA-approved lenders fund this industry. Most research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) loans use the SBA 504 program. There are approximately 12,474 U.S. establishments in this industry (Census 2022).

181
Total SBA Loans
$104.6M
Total Volume
$578K
Avg Loan Size
70% above avg
91
Active Lenders
145 mo
Avg Term
12% above avg
1,978
Jobs Supported

Is SBA Lending Growing for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)?+177% growth

8
9
23
22
15
28
13
24
36
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
$1.1M
$1.6M
$9.5M
$18.4M
$10.4M
$22.9M
$8.1M
$15.1M
$16.1M

Which SBA Program Do Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) Businesses Use Most?

SBA 7(a)158 (87%)
SBA 50423 (13%)

What Is the Best SBA Loan for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)?

SBA 504

13% of research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) loans use this program — ideal for real estate and major equipment purchases

Industry avg loan: $578K
Typical term: 145 months
Historical avg rate: 8.36%
91+ lenders active in this industry

Where Are Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) SBA Loans Most Common?

#1
CA
24 loans
$17.5M
#2
OH
17 loans
$7.4M
#3
FL
17 loans
$18.3M
#4
MA
15 loans
$6.5M
#5
TX
14 loans
$9.1M

Top SBA Lenders for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

These banks have funded the most SBA loans for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) businesses (NAICS 541715). PeerSense routes deals to lenders with proven appetite in your industry.

#LenderLoansVolume
1Wells Fargo Bank National Association(SD)17$1.0M
2The Huntington National Bank(OH)17$4.8M
3Newtek Bank, National Association(FL)9$3.9M
4Webster Five Cents Savings Bank(MA)6$3.4M
5TD Bank, National Association(DE)5$1.3M

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) Industry Context

U.S. Establishments
12,474
U.S. Census Bureau · 2022
SBA Penetration
1.45%
SBA loans per establishment

Ready to Fund Your Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) Business?

PeerSense places SBA loans for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) businesses nationwide. We match you with the right capital source — no retainers, referral fee at closing.

$0

Retainers

10%

Down with SBA 7(a)

25yr

Terms Available

Financing a Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) business? Get matched to an SBA lender.

Tell us your loan amount and use of funds. We route you to the lender most likely to fund a deal in your industry.

SBA 7(a) / 504 — Response within 4 business hours. No obligation.

No retainers · Referral fee at closing · Or call (317) 452-6990

How Does SBA Lending Work for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) Businesses?

Across all SBA loan programs, 181 loans have been approved for businesses classified under NAICS 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)), representing $104.6M in total capital deployed. The average approved loan of $578K is 70% above avg the national SBA average of $340K, with typical repayment terms of 145 months.

SBA lending for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) is accelerating — loan volume has grown approximately 177% over recent fiscal years. This upward trajectory suggests expanding access to capital and growing lender confidence in this sector. Peak activity occurred in FY2025.

The industry sees a balanced mix of SBA programs, with 13% of loans using the 504 program for fixed asset acquisition and the majority using 7(a) for its flexibility across working capital, equipment, and business acquisition uses. SBA 7(a) loans offer up to $5M with terms up to 25 years for real estate.

PeerSense specializes in matching research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) business owners with the capital sources most likely to approve their specific deal structure. As an advisory firm (not a lender), we structure your deal across our network of 500+ SBA-approved lenders to find the best terms — our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing. No retainers.

Frequently Asked Questions — Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) SBA Loans

What is the average SBA loan size for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) businesses?
Based on 181 approved SBA loans, the average loan size for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) (NAICS 541715) is $578K. This compares to the national SBA average of $340K across all industries.
Which SBA loan program is best for a research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) business?
SBA 504 is the most commonly used SBA program for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) businesses. 13% of research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) loans use this program — ideal for real estate and major equipment purchases. PeerSense can analyze your specific deal to determine the optimal program.
How many lenders fund SBA loans for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology)?
91 different SBA-approved lenders have funded loans in this industry. Not all lenders are equally active in every industry — PeerSense matches your deal with lenders who have experience and appetite in the research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) sector.
What states have the most SBA lending for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology)?
CA leads with 24 SBA loans and $17.5M in total volume for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) businesses. OH, FL, MA also show strong lending activity in this sector.
How does PeerSense help research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) businesses get SBA loans?
PeerSense is a capital advisory firm — not a lender. We analyze your deal (loan amount, down payment, business financials) and match you with SBA-approved lenders experienced in the research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) industry. Our referral fee is established upfront in our agreement and paid at closing. No retainers.

Data aggregated from SBA loan records (1992–2025). Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) defined by NAICS code 541715. Not financial advice. PeerSense is a capital advisory firm, not a lender. Consult a lending professional before making financial decisions.