Funding options

Different plans call for different funding structures

Explore common ways businesses fund working capital, growth, assets, property and transactions before building your request.

Compare funding options Start your funding request

Illustration showing a business comparing possible funding routes.

Useful next steps

Plan and prepare before approaching lenders

Common funding questions

Understand lender assessment, security, costs, documents and what happens after a request is submitted.

Read the funding questions

Prepare your information

Use a practical checklist to gather the financial information and supporting evidence lenders commonly request.

View the preparation checklist

Choosing a funding route

What influences your choice of funding?

A suitable route depends on more than the amount required. Timing, cash flow, available security, trading history and the intended source of repayment all shape which lenders and products may be relevant.

Purpose and timing Repayment source Cash-flow profile Assets and security Trading history

Compare the alternatives

Explore common business funding options

These are general descriptions rather than recommendations. A lender will assess the business, purpose, affordability and supporting information before deciding whether it can offer funding.

Business loans

A defined amount repaid over an agreed term. Loans can support investment, expansion, acquisitions, refinancing or other planned expenditure.

Often considered for

Growth projects, acquisitions, management buyouts and medium-term working capital.

Lenders may examine

Affordability, trading performance, repayment plans, security and personal guarantees.

Read the business loan guide

Invoice finance

Funding linked to unpaid business-to-business invoices, helping turn sales made on credit into working capital sooner.

Often considered for

Cash-flow gaps, growth, recruitment and businesses with significant debtor books.

Lenders may examine

Debtor quality, invoice concentration, payment terms and credit-control processes.

Read the invoice finance guide

Revolving credit

A reusable facility that allows a business to draw, repay and draw again within an agreed limit, subject to the lender's terms.

Often considered for

Short-term working capital, seasonal demand and managing uneven receipts and payments.

Lenders may examine

Recent cash flow, account conduct, affordability and how frequently the facility is likely to be used.

Read the revolving credit guide

Asset finance and refinance

Finance used to acquire vehicles, machinery or equipment, or to release capital from assets the business already owns.

Often considered for

Equipment purchases, fleet investment, replacement programmes and capital release.

Lenders may examine

Asset type, age, condition, value, ownership and expected useful life.

Read the asset finance guide

Property finance

Funding for commercial property purchases, investment, development, refurbishment, bridging requirements or refinancing.

Often considered for

Acquisitions, development projects, time-sensitive transactions and existing property portfolios.

Lenders may examine

Valuation, loan-to-value, borrower experience, planning position, cash flow and the proposed exit.

Read the property finance guide

Trade, purchase-order and stock finance

Transaction-led funding that can help pay suppliers, fulfil confirmed orders or purchase stock before customer receipts arrive.

Often considered for

Large orders, imports, manufacturing cycles, inventory purchases and rapid growth.

Lenders may examine

Supplier terms, buyer strength, order evidence, margins, delivery risk and the transaction cycle.

Read the trade finance guide

Merchant cash advance

An advance generally repaid from a share of future card takings, so repayments move with eligible sales rather than following a conventional monthly loan schedule.

Often considered for

Short-term investment or working capital for businesses with consistent card revenue.

Lenders may examine

Card-sales history, revenue consistency, existing commitments and the effect of repayments on cash flow.

Read the merchant cash advance guide

VAT and tax funding

Short-term finance designed to spread an eligible VAT or corporation-tax payment over agreed instalments rather than settling it in one amount.

Often considered for

Managing a predictable tax liability while preserving cash for day-to-day operations.

Lenders may examine

The amount due, payment deadline, affordability, filing history and the business's wider financial position.

Read the tax funding guide

Compare carefully

Look beyond the headline amount

The most suitable structure should reflect how the funding will be used and how the business expects to repay it.

Commercial considerations

Total cost, interest, fees and any charges for changing or ending the facility.
Repayment frequency and the effect on day-to-day cash flow.
Whether the facility can grow, revolve or be repaid early.
Security, debentures, asset charges and personal guarantees.

Information that helps lenders assess the request

A clear amount, purpose, timing and proposed repayment route.
Recent accounts, management information and bank statements.
Forecasts or transaction evidence where future performance matters.
Details of existing borrowing, assets and available security.

Not sure where to start?

Describe the business need, not just a product name

Fundry helps you organise the purpose, amount, financial position and supporting evidence into one structured request. Relevant lenders can then assess the opportunity against their own criteria.

Start your funding request See how Fundry works

Important information

This page provides general information only and is not financial advice, a recommendation or a guarantee that funding will be available. Products, eligibility, costs and terms vary by lender and are subject to assessment. Businesses should review any offer carefully and seek independent advice where appropriate.