Venture-Backed Startups Can Access SBA 7(a) Loans – What The Experts Aren’t Telling You! There's been confusion about the eligibility of venture capital-backed startups for SBA Section 7(a) Loans under the CARES Act and Paycheck Protection Program. Early guidance indicated almost all VC-backed startups were shut out due to "affiliation" rules, but that shouldn't be the case.