Banks use rigid criteria based on traditional credit scoring and industry risk models. We take a more holistic approach, considering your business’s potential, cash flow, and real-world performance.

Unlike many lenders, we fund businesses in all sectors and those typically seen as high risk, including:

• Hospitality & retail
• Construction & trades
• E-commerce & start-ups
• Seasonal businesses

To apply for a business loan online, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Need to borrow up to £250,000
• Be a sole trader, partner or director of a UK-based business
• Need the money for business purposes

You can use a Small Business Loans to support a wide range of business activities:

• Start-up costs: Got a new business idea? Use the loan for starting out costs like getting licenses, permits, and buying your initial gear.
• Property stuff: Whether you’re buying a new place for your business, fixing up your current one, or giving it a makeover, there’s cash for that.
• Inventory: Need stuff to sell or materials to make your products? The loan can help buy all that.
• Working capital: This is for the everyday money needs like paying your team, covering bills, and other regular costs.
• Equipment and technology: If you need new machines, tools, or the latest tech to help your business grow, you can use the loan for that.
• Marketing and advertising: Get the word out about your business and attract more customers with some marketing and ads.
• Scaling up: Ready to make your business bigger or go into new areas? There’s money to support that move.

Generally, the process from application to decision takes 2 weeks, depending on the loan's complexity and how quickly you provide all necessary documents. Your investment manager can offer more detailed information on this.

If you want to fund a new start-up business then you should consider a Start Up Loan.

To apply for a Small Business loan, simply complete our enquiry form. Once complete, a member of our investment team will respond within two working days.

We use Open Banking to help us make a decision to lend. To fast track a decision, you must grant access to your financial data using our Open Banking portal: https://connect.consents.online/BEFcommercial.

We use Open Banking to help us make a decision to lend. We only request permission to see the information we need to provide a loan to you.

To grant access, please visit https://connect.consents.online/BEFcommercial.

A Personal Guarantee is taken to back-up our loans. It is a legal promise that in the event the borrower company fails to make repayments of the loan, the lender can ask the guarantor to make payment on the borrower’s behalf.

For more information, please read our Personal Guarantee Notice.