Finance the instruments
that run your lab.
ICP-MS. LC-MS. GC-MS. HPLC. We finance analytical instruments that most brokers can't underwrite because they don't know what they're looking at. We do.
Instruments we know
by name.
ICP-MS / ICP-OES
Trace metal and elemental analysis. $50K to $500K typical.
LC-MS / LC-MS/MS
Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. $50K to $2M+.
GC-MS / GC-FID
Gas chromatography and detection systems. $50K to $200K.
HPLC Systems
High-performance liquid chromatography. $50K to $300K.
Spectroscopy
UV-Vis, FTIR, Raman, NMR instruments. $50K to $500K.
DNA & qPCR Platforms
Real-time PCR, sequencers, nucleic acid extraction. $50K to $150K.
Centrifuges
Ultracentrifuges, refrigerated, micro. $50K to $300K.
Cleanroom Equipment
Biosafety cabinets, isolators, filtration. $50K to $250K.
Sample Prep & Automation
Liquid handlers, extraction platforms. $50K to $400K.
Don't see your instrument? We finance any business equipment up to $5,000,000+. If it's in your lab and used for business, we can likely structure a deal.
What we finance,
what lenders look for.
| Instrument / Category | Approval Ease | Resale Strength | Typical Deal Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LC-MS / LC-MS/MS (Shimadzu, Waters, Agilent, Sciex) | High | High | $50K to $2M+ | Strongest residuals in analytical. Used market is deep. |
| HPLC / UHPLC | High | Med to High | $50K to $300K | Very liquid secondary market. New and used both financed. |
| ICP-MS / ICP-OES | Medium | Medium | $50K to $500K | Niche. Explain testing specialty and revenue source to lender. |
| GC / GC-MS | High | Medium | $50K to $200K | Environmental, cannabis, toxicology use cases all acceptable. |
| Clinical Chemistry Analyzers (Beckman, Roche, Abbott) | High | Medium | $50K to $500K | Well-known OEMs with established lender familiarity. |
| Liquid Handling Platforms (Hamilton, Tecan, Beckman) | Medium | Medium | $50K to $400K | Specialized buyers. Explain automation use case clearly. |
| Electron Microscopes (SEM, TEM, JEOL, FEI) | Medium | High | $100K to $2M | Long useful life, strong residuals. Lenders respond well. |
| PCR / qPCR / Digital PCR | High | Medium | $50K to $150K | High volume post-COVID. Fast approvals at most deal sizes. |
| Centrifuges (Beckman Optima, Eppendorf) | High | Med to High | $50K to $300K | Ultracentrifuge residuals particularly strong. |
| Flow Cytometers (BD, Beckman, Bio-Rad) | Medium | Medium | $50K to $400K | Research and clinical use cases both acceptable. |
| Spectroscopy (UV-Vis, FTIR, NMR, Raman) | Medium | Medium | $50K to $500K | NMR ($500K+) requires full financial package. |
| Balances, Pipettes, Lab Furniture | Moderate | Low | $30K to $75K | Often bundled with major instrument. Standalone harder below this. |
A broker who actually
knows lab equipment.
Deep asset knowledge
We know what an ICP-MS actually does and what it's worth. That matters when we're packaging your deal for a lender. We speak the language.
Broad instrument coverage
Mass spec, chromatography, ICP-MS, DNA platforms, microbiology, sample prep, and cleanroom infrastructure. If it runs in a lab, we've financed something like it.
Real lab operator experience
Founded by a former operator of CLIA-certified, high-complexity toxicology and analytical testing laboratories. Hands-on experience procuring and managing Shimadzu, Waters, Agilent, Beckman, and Hamilton instruments. We've also opened and operated cannabis testing facilities, validated methods, and built compliant labs from scratch. We've stood in the lab buyer's seat.
Used and refurbished done right
A used SCIEX or Shimadzu can be a smart play. We know what to look for in service history, calibration records, and remaining useful life, and we work with lenders comfortable financing pre-owned equipment when others aren't.
Service contracts done right
Service contracts can sit on your books for years. We treat them as part of the financing conversation, building them into the lease where it makes sense so the cost is predictable and the asset stays protected. We know how OEM service tiers work and what's worth bundling.
Soft inquiry first
We start with a soft inquiry to review your profile. A full credit review may be part of final approval once you move forward with a lender.
Four minutes.
Same-day pre-approval.
Submit a brief online application: equipment type, approximate cost, your business info. We run a soft pre-qualification and come back with preliminary terms, typically the same day. A hard credit pull may be part of final approval.
FMV lease, $1 buyout, EFA, term loan, or sale-leaseback: we match the structure to your lab and your goals. Smaller instrument purchases often qualify for application-only approval, a decision in a day or two, no tax returns required.
Deals up to $5,000,000+. Terms up to 84 months. New and certified refurbished instruments welcome. We work with 50+ lenders to find the right fit.
Lab Financing,
Answered.
Does iLease finance used or refurbished lab equipment?
Yes, and this is a core specialty. iLease Capital regularly finances used instruments from dealer resellers, private-party sellers, and auction houses including Machinery Resources International. Refurbished Shimadzu, Waters, Agilent, Beckman, and other major OEM instruments are routinely placed with lenders who understand secondary analytical instrument markets. Condition and age are disclosed upfront to match the right funding partner.
What credit score does a lab need to qualify for equipment financing?
A personal credit score of 650 or above typically qualifies for standard programs at competitive rates. Scores between 580 and 649 can often be placed with additional documentation, a modest down payment (5 to 10%), or a co-guarantor. iLease Capital begins with a soft inquiry to evaluate your profile. A hard credit pull may be part of final approval once you review terms and choose to proceed.
Can a lab with less than 2 years in business get financed?
Yes. Labs under 2 years typically require 3 months of business and personal bank statements, formation documents, and a personal guarantee from all owners with 20%+ ownership. CLIA certification, existing client contracts, or a reimbursement agreement with an established reference lab all meaningfully improve approval odds for early-stage labs.
How long does lab equipment financing take?
Deals under $150,000 often receive a credit decision within 4 to 8 hours. Standard deals ($150K to $500K) typically decide within 24 hours. Larger transactions ($500K+) requiring full financial packages typically close within 5 to 7 business days. Vendor is paid by wire as soon as documents are signed. No waiting for check clearance.
Does Section 179 apply to laboratory equipment?
Yes. Most laboratory instruments qualify for Section 179 expensing, allowing labs to deduct the full purchase price in the year the instrument is placed in service, even if financed. Equipment Finance Agreements (EFAs) and $1 buyout leases preserve the Section 179 deduction. FMV leases do not. Ask us about which structure fits your tax situation and we can confirm the current year limit.
Deep dives by
instrument type.
Mass Spectrometry
LC-MS, GC-MS, ICP-MS, Orbitrap. Underwriters who know the difference between a triple-quad and an HRMS.
Explore →HPLC & Chromatography
HPLC, UHPLC, ion chromatography, SFC, GPC/SEC. Method-aware financing for upgrade and production cycles.
Explore →Spectroscopy
ICP-OES, FTIR, Raman, XRF, UV-Vis, AA. Technique-specific underwriting up to $5 million plus.
Explore →Guide: Financing Used Lab Instruments
What lenders actually evaluate on used LC-MS, HPLC, and ICP-MS deals, how to package one, and why used deals get declined.
Explore →Application-Only Financing
Smaller instrument purchases often skip the full financial package entirely: a decision in a day or two, no tax returns required.
Explore →Let's look at your
instrument deal.
No hard sell. No rate promises. Just an honest look at what we can structure and whether it makes sense for your lab.