By Ruth Simon and Angus Loten CARROLLTON, Ga.—Brandi Shirey wants to borrow at least $20,000 to expand the birthday- and wedding-cake business she started four years ago after leaving her job as a bookkeeper.Demand for the cakes, which sell for $150 to $500, overwhelms her home kitchen. She plans to use about $2,000 from her savings to move into a nearby storefront next month. But the 28-year-old Ms. Shirey believes her credit record and financial paperwork have to be bulletproof before she dares approach a bank for a loan.

 Inventory management startup Stitch Labs has raised another $3.5 million, as the company seeks to accelerate growth and offer more features for its customers. The funding comes from existing investors True Ventures and Costanoa Ventures, which are doubling down on the company after putting in $3.5 million last year. Read More

 Inventory management startup Stitch Labs has raised another $3.5 million, as the company seeks to accelerate growth and offer more features for its customers. The funding comes from existing investors True Ventures and Costanoa Ventures, which are doubling down on the company after putting in $3.5 million last year. Read More

 Inventory management startup Stitch Labs has raised another $3.5 million, as the company seeks to accelerate growth and offer more features for its customers. The funding comes from existing investors True Ventures and Costanoa Ventures, which are doubling down on the company after putting in $3.5 million last year. Read More