What Types of Business Finance Are Available in the UK?
There is a wide range of business finance available to UK businesses from working capital loans and invoice finance for day-to-day cash flow, to commercial mortgages, bridging loans and development finance for property. As an FCA-regulated whole-of-market broker, Seven Hills Capital Group searches every lender to match your business to the right product at the right terms.
Not every business needs the same type of finance and the right product depends on what you are trying to achieve, how quickly you need it, and what your business looks like today. We do not start with products. We start with your situation, then search every lender and every product type to find the right fit. Browse our products below by category, or speak to our team if you are not sure where to start.
Cash Flow & Working Capital Finance
Finance that keeps your business moving covering day-to-day costs, bridging payment gaps, and giving you flexible access to funds when you need them.
Working Capital Loans
Short-term business cash flow finance used to cover day-to-day operating costs payroll, rent, inventory, utilities and supplier payments. Bridges the timing gap between money going out and money coming in. Available from 3 to 24 months with fast decisions from specialist UK lenders.
Learn about Working Capital Loans
Business Line of Credit
A flexible revolving credit facility that allows your business to draw funds up to a pre-agreed limit, repay, and draw again. Interest is charged only on the amount drawn not the full facility. The right solution for businesses needing ongoing, flexible access to working capital.
Learn about Business Line of Credit
Merchant Cash Advance
A lump sum advance against your future card sales, repaid as a percentage of daily card takings. Repayments flex with revenue quieter periods mean lower repayments automatically. One of the fastest business finance products available, typically approved within 24–48 hours.
Learn about Merchant Cash Advance
Invoice Finance
Release up to 90% of the value of unpaid customer invoices within 24 hours rather than waiting 30, 60 or 90 days for payment. Ideal for B2B businesses with strong customers on standard payment terms. Available as confidential invoice discounting or as a managed factoring facility.
Learn about Invoice Finance
Invoice Factoring
Sell your unpaid invoices to a factoring provider at a discount in exchange for immediate cash. The factoring company manages your sales ledger and collects payment directly from your customers removing the credit control burden alongside providing working capital.
Learn about Invoice Factoring
Business Credit Cards
A revolving credit facility for day-to-day business expenses, with no interest if the balance is repaid in full each month. Includes built-in expense tracking, cashback and rewards on business spending. Useful for separating business and personal finances and building business credit history.
Learn about Business Credit Cards
Trade Finance
Specialist finance that bridges the gap between paying overseas suppliers and receiving payment from customers. Covers letters of credit, import finance, export finance and supply chain finance enabling UK businesses to trade internationally without tying up working capital in goods in transit.
Learn about Trade Finance
Export & Import Loans
Dedicated finance for UK businesses buying goods from overseas suppliers or selling goods internationally. Bridges the cash flow gap between production or procurement costs and receiving payment enabling businesses to fulfil international orders without compromising day-to-day working capital.
Learn about Export & Import LoansNot sure which product?
We don't expect you to know exactly what you need. That's our job. Tell us your situation and we'll find the right solution.
Get In TouchEquipment & Asset Finance
Finance to acquire the assets your business needs from machinery and vehicles to agricultural equipment and asset-backed lending facilities.
Equipment Finance
Specialist business asset finance for purchasing machinery, vehicles, technology or other business equipment. The equipment itself typically acts as collateral enabling competitive rates without additional security. Preserves working capital while giving businesses immediate access to the assets they need.
Learn about Equipment Finance
Asset Based Loans
Finance secured against existing business assets including inventory, accounts receivable, equipment and commercial property. The facility reflects the value of those assets, giving businesses access to capital based on balance sheet strength rather than cash flow alone.
Learn about Asset Based Loans
Agricultural Loans
The full range of lending products for UK farms, agricultural businesses and rural enterprises including land purchase, farm equipment and machinery, livestock, crop production costs and rural diversification projects. Structured by specialist lenders who understand seasonal farm income patterns.
Learn about Agricultural LoansGrowth & Acquisition Finance
Finance to fund the next stage of your business whether that is buying a business, launching a franchise, raising startup capital, or accessing specialist growth funding.
Business Term Loans
A fixed lump sum borrowed and repaid in fixed monthly instalments over an agreed period from 3 months to 25 years. One of the most widely used forms of SME business finance in the UK. Best suited to equipment purchases, business expansion, large investments and debt refinancing.
Learn about Business Term Loans
Acquisition Loans
Funding used to purchase an existing business or its assets using the target business's cash flow, assets and future earnings to support the debt. Used in management buyouts, buy-ins, trade acquisitions and consolidation strategies. Typically covers 50–70% of the purchase price.
Learn about Acquisition Loans
Franchise Loans
Business finance specifically designed for purchasing or expanding a franchise. Because franchises operate under a proven model with an established brand, lenders view them as lower risk than independent startups meaning franchise finance is available at competitive rates with favourable terms.
Learn about Franchise Loans
Revenue Based Finance
Funding where repayments are made as a fixed percentage of monthly revenue. When revenue is high, repayments are higher; when revenue dips, repayments reduce automatically. No fixed end date the advance is repaid when the agreed total amount has been returned. Ideal for SaaS and subscription businesses.
Learn about Revenue Based Finance
Mezzanine Finance
A hybrid form of funding that sits between senior debt and equity used to bridge the gap between the senior debt available and the total funding required for an acquisition or major transaction. Typically used for transactions of £2 million or more where senior debt alone is insufficient.
Learn about Mezzanine Finance
Startup Business Loans
Finance specifically designed for new businesses with limited or no trading history. The government-backed Start Up Loans scheme offers up to £25,000 per director at 7.5% fixed, including 12 months of free mentoring. Alternative startup finance options are also available through specialist lenders.
Learn about Startup Business Loans
Peer-to-Peer Loans
Funding provided by individual or institutional investors through an FCA-regulated online lending platform, rather than by a bank or traditional lender. Can offer competitive rates and faster decisions than bank lending for established UK SMEs with strong credit profiles.
Learn about Peer-to-Peer Loans
Venture Debt
Non-dilutive debt financing for venture-capital-backed UK startups and high-growth companies. Extends cash runway or funds growth initiatives without issuing additional equity. Typically available as 20–35% of the most recent equity raise. Most commonly used at Series A and B stage.
Learn about Venture Debt
Microloans
Small business loans typically under £50,000 for startups, early-stage businesses and micro-enterprises that may not qualify for mainstream bank lending. Often offered by specialist lenders, CDFIs and government-backed programmes frequently including mentoring and business support alongside the finance.
Learn about MicroloansProperty & Development Finance
Finance for commercial property purchase, development projects and short-term bridging needs searched across the whole UK specialist property lending market.
Commercial Mortgages
Long-term loans secured against commercial property used by businesses to purchase the premises they trade from, or by investors to purchase commercial property for rental income. Typically 5 to 25 years with loan-to-value ratios of 60–75%. Available on fixed or variable interest rates.
Learn about Commercial Mortgages
Construction Loans
Specialist development finance for construction or major renovation projects. Funds are released in stages as construction progresses, matching each drawdown to the build schedule. Available for residential development, commercial construction, conversion projects and major refurbishments.
Learn about Construction Loans
Bridging Loans
Short-term property or business finance that bridges the gap between an immediate funding need and longer-term finance being put in place. Fast to arrange typically within 48–72 hours for straightforward cases. Used for property purchases, development, acquisitions and urgent cash flow needs.
Learn about Bridging LoansFrequently asked questions about business finance
The questions we get asked most - answered straight.
What types of business finance are available in the UK?
There is a wide range of business finance available to UK businesses, broadly grouped into four categories: cash flow and working capital finance, equipment and asset finance, growth and acquisition finance, and property and development finance. The right product depends on your specific need, trading history and business profile. Seven Hills Capital Group searches the whole UK market to identify which product and which lender is right for your situation.
How do I know which type of business finance is right for me?
The right type of business finance depends on what you need the money for, how quickly you need it, your trading history, and what security you have available. A cash flow gap is solved differently to an equipment purchase or a property acquisition. As a whole-of-market broker, Seven Hills Capital Group will assess your specific situation and identify the most appropriate product before approaching any lender saving you time and protecting your credit profile.
What is the difference between a business loan and other types of business finance?
A business loan is a fixed lump sum repaid over a set term with interest. Other types of business finance work differently invoice finance releases cash from unpaid invoices, a merchant cash advance is repaid from card sales, asset finance is secured against equipment, and a line of credit gives revolving access to funds. Each product is designed for a specific business need and situation. Seven Hills Capital Group will identify which is most appropriate for yours.
Can I get business finance if my bank has turned me down?
Yes, in many cases. High street banks apply rigid criteria and only offer their own products. As a whole-of-market broker, Seven Hills Capital Group has access to alternative lenders, specialist providers and government-backed schemes with wider credit appetites and different underwriting criteria. Being refused by a bank is not the end of the road all finance is subject to status and individual lender criteria, and we will always be honest about what is realistic for your situation.
How quickly can I access business finance in the UK?
Speed depends on the product. Merchant cash advances and working capital loans can be approved within 24–48 hours. Equipment finance typically funds within days. Commercial mortgages and development finance take 4–12 weeks. Seven Hills Capital Group knows which lenders move fastest for which products and goes straight to the right one for your situation avoiding the delays of approaching the wrong lender first.
Not Sure Which Type of Finance Is Right for You?
That is the most common starting point and exactly what we are here for. Most business owners know what they need to achieve but not which finance product gets them there. Our team will assess your situation, search the whole market and give you an honest answer. No jargon. No pressure.