SmallBusiness.co.uk is working in partnership with Finpoint to help you find the right finance for your business. This section provides comprehensive guides and articles on the different alternative finance options for UK small businesses and entrepreneurs. There are many different types available, including crowdfunding, peer-to-peer lending, micro loans, equity finance and angel investments, plus various strands of asset-based lending and refinancing.
For smaller businesses looking to grow, alternative finance providers are often better aligned to their needs – not only because they can offer less strict criteria than traditional lenders like banks, but also because they can be more flexible and responsive whilst offering a better customer service.
The alternative finance market is a dynamic sector in the UK, driven by the country’s twin strengths in fintech and investment banking services. Business funding for British SMEs from alternative finance firms now tops £15bn annually and is set to grow strongly up to and beyond the 2020s. Read on for ideas, analysis and case studies to see if it could benefit your company as well.
We hear a lot about different types of lending and borrowing. Payday loans are a form of borrowing that has been in and out of the news for a number of years now. However, short term loans may just be starting to steal their thunder.
As the major online lenders surpass £1 billion in funds provided, we compare business funding options, assessing the key differentiators and similarities.
In this piece in association with Fundbird, Andrew Weaver of Lawyerfair discusses why it is important to find the backer or funding institution that is right for your sector.
As the major online lenders surpass £1 billion in funds provided, we compare business funding options, assessing the key differentiators and similarities.
In this piece in association with Fundbird, Andrew Weaver of Lawyerfair discusses why it is important to find the backer or funding institution that is right for your sector.
In this piece in association with Fundbird, Chris Buckingham, author of Crowdfunding Intelligence, assesses the fortunes of what was once the fastest equity raise in UK history and what it tells us about the crowdfunding industry.
In this piece in association with Fundbird, Mark Thomas of C2FO looks at invoice discounting as a means of improving small companies' cash flow position.
Starting a new business is an exciting venture. But – especially in well-established industry sectors – a key question is whether it would be better to buy a franchise or go solo.