UBC CEO Comments on Growing Cash Flow Gap Facing U.S. Small Businesses in 2026

SHERIDAN, Wyo. - March 27, 2026 - PRLog -- Small businesses across the United States are facing a growing cash flow problem unrelated to revenue. A 2025 Intuit QuickBooks report found that over 56% of U.S. small businesses are owed money from unpaid invoices, averaging more than $17,000 per business. Separately, Atradius data shows that 55% of all B2B invoices in the U.S. were paid late in 2025.

Ali Barkhordar, Founder and CEO of Ultimate Business Capital LLC, says the issue is worsening.

"Small businesses are not failing due to lack of revenue. They are failing because they cannot collect fast enough to meet their obligations," said Barkhordar. "Payroll, rent, vendors, and taxes do not wait 60 or 90 days for payment. The gap between earning and collecting revenue is where businesses break down."

Barkhordar points to revenue based financing as a solution for businesses needing working capital without taking on traditional debt. This structure provides capital based on actual revenue, with repayment tied to daily cash flow.

"What makes revenue based financing different is that it aligns with how a business operates day to day," he said. "Underwriting focuses on real bank activity, not just credit scores. The key metric is average daily balance, which shows what remains after obligations clear. That determines what a business can afford and the size of the funding."

With over 20 years of experience in specialty finance and commercial lending, Barkhordar notes that while cash flow gaps are not new, the scale in 2026 is increasing pressure on small businesses.

"When more than half of B2B invoices are paid late, that reflects a broader market pattern," he said. "Businesses that act quickly to address the gap are the ones that survive and grow."

UBC operates only in authorized jurisdictions and does not engage in activities requiring licensing it does not maintain. Availability varies by location, and transactions are void where prohibited by law.

For more information, visit https://www.ultimatebusinesscapital.com