Does my business need more capital to achieve its goals?
ARE YOU clear on YOUR BUSINESS AMBITIONS?
I’m delighted this guide highlights many of the innovative and diverse finance providers in the market and hope it is useful for businesses seeking to find the right finance for them.
STEPHEN JONES, CEO, UK FINANCE
FIRST EDITION
is growth finance right for my business?
A QUICK QUIZ
view other case studies in our guide
miss
macaroon
what are the types of growth finance available?
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banks loans and overdrafts
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peer to peer business loans
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leasing and hire purchase
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invoice financing & factoring
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asset based lending
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direct lending
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export finance
venture debt
Meet a case study...
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no
yes
no
That's fine.
Around 1/3 of UK businesses are reluctant to borrow, even if doing so means stymying future growth. But it's important to know your options before deciding.
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We can help you!
Growth Finance allows growing businesses access to long-term or short-term capital.
yes
yes
no
no
Do I have a clear idea of how much money I need?
Good!
Lenders will want evidence of how much capital your business needs.
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Are you unsure?
If you think your business could benefit from growth finance but don’t know how much you require, you should first work out how much you need.
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yes
no
no
Do I understand what sort of finance is best for my business?
Products like bank loans, venture debt or asset-based lending can all be useful for SMEs - read the full version of the Guide for a comprehensive list.
Download pdf
The full version of the guide goes into detail about the different types - one of them may be right for your business.
Download pdf
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small
medium
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What size is my business?
Small businesses have traditionally struggled to access finance, but these days there are lots of lenders who have stepped up their support.
Medium-sized businesses are increasingly attractive to lenders - with financial technology companies and challenger banks servicing this sector.
Bread and butter for growing businesses.
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what information will a lender require about
my business?
With plenty of options available to businesses of all stages, shapes and sizes, could growth finance help you realise those ambitions?
Whether it’s bank overdrafts or business loans, invoice finance or venture debt, businesses have plenty of choice.
To make sense of it all, we’ve put together the first Comprehensive Guide to Growth Finance for
decision makers.
How much money do you need?
what is the growth strategy?
how is the business performing?
how does my business differ from its competitors?
who are the customers?
are there any hurdles ahead?
• Have a precise figure worked out
• Make it clear exactly how the proceeds will be spent
• Explain how the spending will drive future growth
• Help a lender understand your future vision
• Create financial projections (sales, cash flow forecasts, budget..)
• Do you plan to borrow again in the future?
• Will you sell equity at some point?
• Prepare detailed financials from previous years
(incl. information such as spending, cash flow, revenue and profit)
• Help lenders to understand your performance journey so far
• What does your business do compared to others that offer similar things?
• How will you make sure that you compete effectively with them?
• Help lenders to understand your journey so far
• Who are your customers and how you provide them
• How might the market grow or develop in the future?
• How will your business keep offering them products or services that they want?
• What’s your background and what is your role in the business?
• What about the other senior people?
• How will you be hiring as the business grows?
• Be upfront about any areas of vulnerability
• Think about how your customers’ behaviour might change in the future, whether your costs could increase, or whether your market could become more competitive
who are the key people?
download the full guide to learn more
download the full guide to learn more
Online networks that match borrowers and lenders.
Renting equipment to save high purchase costs.
Turning invoices into valuable working capital.
Helping businesses raise cash with their assets.
Lengthening the runway between funding rounds.
Non-bank lenders providing valuable support.
Helping businesses to sell their goods abroad.
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Miss Macaroon is a social enterprise business that helps long-term unemployed young people to succeed while producing delicious macaroons.
The business received a loan in 2016 from BCRS Business Loans, one of the accredited lenders for the British Business Bank’s Enterprise Finance Guarantee programme. It used the proceeds to open the first Miss Macaroon store in Birmingham and create a springboard for future success.
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PAGES
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a breakdown
of your options
real life case studies
The nuts and bolts of each choice
first steps for your business
sharp analysis from expert partners
DOWNLOAD a FREE COPY
GROWTH FINANCE
A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO
what's inside?
A comprehensive resource for SMEs detailing the wide range of financial options available, with case studies, insightful analysis, typical costs, practical advice and more.
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