Start-up Loans

Start-up loans can help new and seed stage businesses get set up for trading. This is a personal loan for business owners who have not been able to secure finance from traditional lenders.

Working Capital Finance

Working capital is what your business needs to maintain day-to-day operations. It's the cash you have left after accounting for money coming in and out over a given period - so it's an essential part of keeping your business afloat. A business overdraft or term loan is an example of working capital finance.

Term Loans

A term loan is a lump sum of capital obtained from traditional lending sources such as banks. The loan is on a secured or un-secured basis which incurs a fixed term and fixed interest rate.

Angel Investors

Angel investment is suitable for early-stage businesses with a clear growth strategy and a business plan. Business angels will invest their time, money and resources in exchange for a share in the company.

Equity Crowdfunding

Equity crowdfunding gives a business access to a group of investors with diverse backgrounds and experience. Individual investors will apply for a capital share in an early stage business.

Growth Capital

Growth capital allows your business to accelerate growth by entering new markets, developing new products or investing in technology. This option is suited to growth stage businesses with evidence of year on year growth and may take the form of venture capital or private equity.

Private Equity

Private equity finance is suitable for growth stage businesses with potential for accelerated growth. This medium to long term investment is made in exchange for equity in the business and often involves larger sums of money.

Venture Capital

Venture capitalists will invest in a business in return for equity shares to help it grow. This type of finance is suitable for early-stage businesses looking for a flexible option to scale quickly.

Asset Finance

Asset finance takes physical assets, such as equipment, as security for lending. This type of lending could work for a growth stage business with assets of value looking for a cash flow injection.

Grant Funding for R&D

Grant funding often comes from government agencies, research councils and Growth Hubs. A prime source of grant funding for innovation-focused businesses is Innovate UK.

Grants can provide funding for innovation projects or for specific topics or themes. An R&D grant could help a business develop a new product, process or service and get it to market. Such R&D funding can also support companies to test and de-risk ideas without the requirement for repayment.

Although you will not have to repay the grant, grant funding often comes with specific conditions. If you are applying for grant funding, you will need to understand the eligibility criteria and application process to ensure your innovation project complies.

Initial Public Offering

An Initial Public Offering (IPO) is when a privately owned business sells shares to the public for the first time. This allows growth stage businesses and scale-ups to raise significant funds.

Peer to Peer Lending

Peer to Peer lending comes from individuals, businesses and institutions as an alternative to bank loans. Borrowers and lenders are matched via online platforms. Suitable for growth stage businesses looking for quick access to finance whilst retaining control of the business.

Reward-based Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding, or reward-based crowdfunding offers rewards in exchange for investment from individuals through online platforms such as Kickstarter. This provides an alternative to debt or equity investment, but it can be difficult to reach a funding target.

Export Capital

Export finance reduces some of the risk of exporting and trading abroad. Export capital can include bonds, guarantees, letters of credit or working capital loans. An option for UK businesses looking to enter new overseas markets.

Trade Finance

Trade finance is commonly used for international trade, in which the lender pays for goods which are security for the advance. It can be used to protect against currency fluctuations, political instability and other external factors.