Alternative finance

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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.

Collaboration between banks and alternative lenders

In this blog, Adam Tavener explores how the banks and alternative lenders could work together to up funding to SMEs.

Alternative finance

The growth of invoice finance and how it works for small businesses

Demand for lending has remained subdued in recent times but invoice finance has burgeoned, says Bibby Financial Services.

Alternative finance

How start-ups can be helped by established businesses – in finance and beyond

In the first of a series of blogs, James King, founder of venture capital firm Find Invest Grow, discusses how existing businesses can play a major role in supporting start-ups.

Alternative finance

Peer-to-peer lending, crowdfunding and beyond

Anil Stocker, co-founder of MarketInvoice, charts the development on the online finance sector, why it is relevant to small businesses, and its future.

Alternative finance

How small businesses should approach venture capital

Rory Earley, CEO of Capital for Enterprise, explores how small businesses should approach venture capital.

Alternative finance

‘Dragons’ Den without the nerves’ joins crowdfunding space

New website www.pitchfor.it will offer entrepreneurs the opportunity to attract potential investors by uploading video pitches. SmallBusiness.co.uk talks to founder Peter Hart.

Alternative finance

Struggling to raise £20,000

I am struggling to raise £20,000 for my start-up plumbing business. What options are there for me in regard to alternative finance?

Alternative finance

Raise money through crowdfunding

Funding Circle has contributed to a guide for SmallBusiness.co.uk on how to raise finance through its crowdfunding platform.

Alternative finance

Struggling to raise £20,000

I am struggling to raise £20,000 for my start-up plumbing business. What options are there for me in regard to alternative finance?

Alternative finance

Raise money through crowdfunding

Funding Circle has contributed to a guide for SmallBusiness.co.uk on how to raise finance through its crowdfunding platform.

Crowdfunding for Business

Why banks can’t fix the UK economy by themselves

James Meekings, co-founder of Funding Circle, argues that crowdfunding is set to steal a major chunk of the business financing market from the banks.

Alternative finance

Will social funding change small business finance?

Rory Earley, CEO of Capital for Enterprise, investigates the emergence of a social funding marketplace for small companies.

Alternative finance

Raising money through the Angel CoFund

SmallBusiness.co.uk talks to George Whitehead, chairman of the government-backed Angel CoFund, about the fundraising potential for small businesses.

Alternative finance