Your potential business finance solutions...

Asset-based finance

A collective term used to describe invoice finance (IF), and asset-based lending (ABL). Invoice finance includes factoring, invoice discounting and supply chain finance.

Asset-based lending is provided on a similar basis to invoice finance, with funding extended against debts.
Factoring is used by smaller SME businesses to support cash flow by generating money against unpaid invoices.
Invoice discounting is similar to factoring, but can be more appealing to larger businesses.
Supply chain finance, sometimes called reverse factoring, is where smaller suppliers can take advantage of the credit strength of larger customers.

Debt option

Business bank loan

A business bank loan works in the same way as a personal loan, but is specifically intended for business purposes.

Traditionally businesses have looked first to their own bank for a loan, but there are now many providers.
Loans are better suited to larger longer-term purchases, such as investment in plant, technology or transport.

Debt option

Equity crowdfunding

Provides companies with a way to connect with vast numbers of potential investors, some of whom may also be customers.

Raising money directly from a large number of people all putting in relatively small amounts.
Companies are matched with would-be angels via online platforms.
An alternative to angel or venture capital finance for start-up, early-stage and growth companies.
People invest in an opportunity in exchange for a small stake in the business.

Equity option

Corporate venture capital

Corporate venture capital describes a wide variety of equity investment from a corporation, or its investment entity.

Support aimed at high-growth and high-potential, privately-held businesses.
CVCs are large corporations that set aside a certain amount of cash to invest in start-ups and scale-ups.
Financial investments are made in return for an equity stake in the business.
It is important that the investor's aims are aligned with the business.

Equity option

Growth finance

Growth finance refers to capital loans and mezzanine finance, debt finance options most appropriate for financing high-growth businesses.

Growth finance is available to relatively mature businesses.
Options can be tailored to the specific risks in the business.
Capital loans are a private equity investment for companies looking to finance change without a change of control or ownership.
Mezzanine financing is a hybrid of debt and equity financing that gives the lender the rights to convert to an ownership or equity interest.

Debt option

Overdraft

Overdrafts on bank accounts are often what a business uses to help day-to-day short-term requirements.

A revolving credit facility and is only available from your bank.
Overdrafts can be subject to arrangement fees.
Interest charged is typically a margin above the base rate.
Often used to help manage cash flow on a day-to-day basis.

Debt option

Venture capital

Venture capital firms invest in businesses with the potential for high returns, such as those with innovative new technologies.

Venture capitalists look for companies with a proven track record and the size of the investment will relate to the business stage.
VC firms invest in a portfolio of businesses, so those that succeed have to compensate for those that fail.
Finance tends to be offered in stages, with “stage A” investment in a start-up or pre-profit, starting at as little as £50k.
Investment can potentially range up to tens of millions of pounds.

Equity option