No fixed universal E-2 amount applies. The capital must be substantial in relation to the total cost of the particular enterprise and sufficient to support a real, nonmarginal operation.
Use proportionality rather than a single number
The expense profile of a consulting firm, manufacturer, restaurant, or technology operation can differ dramatically, so a single benchmark is misleading. Build a line-by-line startup or acquisition budget, identify which amounts are committed, and explain why each material outlay is necessary. Also budget government fees, professional services if retained, travel, licences, insurance, payroll, and working capital.
Do not count personal living funds as business investment merely because the household will reside near the enterprise. Separate government charges from professional services, document gathering, travel, business expenditure, and any capital contribution. Fees can change and some costs arise only if a particular filing, visa application, or business step is selected.
A budget should show who bears each amount and whether the funds are available from a documented lawful source. Cost planning is useful, but spending money does not cure a missing eligibility requirement. Keep a contemporaneous record of the decision and the facts used to reach it.
When a document is unavailable, identify the reason and consider whether another primary record can establish the point without creating a contradiction. A later change in role, ownership, family circumstances, or planned activity may require a fresh review. Clear disclosure is more useful than an attempt to make facts appear simpler than they are.