The startup credit card you don’t need revenue or history for
If you’re building a business, you’ve learned the hard way that banks just weren’t built for startups. You need to pay vendors and move fast, but traditional banks won’t give you credit without profits, and definitely not revenue. And that slows everything down.
Modern corporate credit cards change that. They give you instant purchasing power and built-in spend control, so you can move fast without being held back by old-school banks. All while building credit from day one.
Key features to look for in corporate credit cards
Now, most startups waste time comparing interest rates when they should focus on startup credit card features that actually move the business forward.
These are the key features to look for when comparing startup credit cards:
- Effortless expense tracking
Real-time categorization and multi-currency support are essential when you operate across European markets. Automatic VAT reconciliation alone saves Belgian startups hours each quarter, time better spent on growth instead of admin.
- Zero annual fees
Non-negotiable for pre-revenue companies. Your runway is precious, so don’t burn it on card fees designed for large corporations.
- Doesn’t lock up your working capital
Many prepaid and debit-based solutions require you to load funds in advance, tying up cash you could use for hiring, product, or sales. A true credit card frees up working capital instead of freezing it.
- Employee cards with granular controls
Your team needs to spend on software, suppliers, marketing, and travel. Individual limits and category rules prevent overspending without slowing anyone down with unnecessary approvals.
- Rewards that actually matter
Cashback on SaaS subscriptions is far more useful than airline miles for early-stage teams. Some cards now offer 1–3% back on digital tools, which directly lowers your monthly burn.
The gap between basic and strategic card features can be worth around €3,000 a year for the average early-stage startup.
Corporate credit cards vs. business credit cards: what’s the difference?
They sound similar, but the key difference comes down to who takes the risk.
- Business credit cards work like personal cards with a business label. You, the founder, personally guarantee the debt, meaning if your company misses a payment, your personal credit score takes the hit. Traditional banks still see you and your business as one and the same, which is why they run personal credit checks and ask for revenue proof.
- Corporate cards, on the other hand, shift responsibility to the company itself. There’s no personal guarantee. Payments (or missed payments) affect the company’s credit profile, not yours. It’s the clean separation every founder wants but most can’t get early on.
For most startups, that separation has historically come with tradeoffs: corporate cards required solid revenue and company credit history, while business credit cards were easier to get but riskier personally.
Husk bridges that gap by offering true corporate cards without the traditional barriers, giving startups credit, control, and protection from day one.
Top pick for startups with no credit history or limited revenue
Getting approved without profit or established revenue isn’t about finding lenient banks. It’s more about choosing a platform that’s built for how startups actually operate.
- Virtual card-first platforms let you issue cards instantly based on deposits rather than credit checks. These work well if you’re funding your own operations but still need fast access to payment tools. The trade-off is that you’re spending your own money, not using a credit line.
- Open banking-enabled solutions assess your real cash flow instead of traditional credit history. If you’re pre-revenue but have funds in your business account, that can speed up approval and help you access cards in minutes rather than weeks.
- Spend management platforms designed for startups combine corporate cards with cash flow visibility and expense tracking, giving early-stage teams the control and flexibility they actually need. This is the approach we take at Husk: helping founders manage spending, track runway, and build credit without being slowed down by legacy banks.
- Traditional providers with startup programs do exist but typically require more paperwork and patience. They can be an option later on, once your company has consistent revenue.
How to get the most from your credit card
Let’s be clear: your card is not just for payments, it is a tool to extend your runway and control cash flow. So:
- Use payment cycles strategically. A card with Net 30 terms gives you up to 30 days of free float if you align spending with your revenue cycle.
- Route spend for rewards that actually matter. SaaS-heavy startups can earn real returns. For example, 1% cashback on €60,000 in software spend adds up fast.
- Watch your FX fees. Many Belgian startups lose money on foreign transaction charges. Always check international fee structures before paying non-EU vendors.
- Set proactive spend alerts. Flag categories at 80% of budget to prevent overruns instead of fixing them later.
With the right setup, your corporate card becomes more than a payment method. It becomes a lever for cash flow control.
Finding the right startup credit card
The right card shapes how fast you can move. Look for zero or low fees, built-in expense tracking, and protection that keeps your personal finances separate from the company’s.
Husk gives you all of that in one place: corporate credit cards, real-time spend visibility, and cash flow control built for startups.
Start scaling faster. Get your Husk startup credit card today.
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