Practical guides to business funding, prepared by Greystone Advisory using Swoop product information.
The Growth Guarantee Scheme can support access to finance for eligible UK businesses through accredited lenders. The government guarantee supports the lender; it does not remove the borrower’s obligation to repay. How it works The scheme can support several types of facility, including loans, overdrafts, asset finance and invoice finance. The lender decides whether the…
A local grant may help fund a specific investment such as equipment, skills, digital adoption or energy efficiency. Opportunities depend on location, project and available budgets, and they change regularly. How it works A funder assesses the project against its criteria. Grants may cover only part of the cost and can be paid after expenditure…
Mezzanine finance can fill a funding gap in a larger acquisition, buyout or growth transaction. It is a specialist arrangement that sits behind senior debt and can include rights linked to ownership. How it works A mezzanine funder accepts a lower repayment priority than the senior lender, usually in exchange for a higher return. Payments…
The government-backed Start Up Loans programme supports eligible people starting or developing a business. Crucially, the borrowing is a personal loan for business purposes, even if the business trades through a limited company. How it works The programme assesses both the business plan and the applicant’s ability to repay. It also provides business support and…
Bridging finance is short-term borrowing secured against property or land. It can bridge a defined timing gap, but it needs a credible way to repay the loan, commonly a sale or longer-term refinancing. How it works The lender considers the property, security, borrower and proposed exit. Interest may be paid during the term, retained from…
Development finance supports building, conversion or refurbishment projects. It is usually arranged around a defined project and repaid from sales or refinancing, rather than the routine income of an established property. How it works Lenders assess project costs, expected completed value, experience and the exit plan. Funds may be released in stages as work progresses,…
A buy-to-let mortgage finances property intended for letting. The decision should consider net rental cash flow, ownership structure and longer-term plans, as well as the quoted mortgage payment. How it works A lender assesses the property, deposit, rental income and borrower. Some facilities are interest-only, meaning the capital still needs to be repaid at the…
Subscription software businesses often spend on development and customer acquisition before recovering that cost through monthly fees. SaaS finance is a specialist route assessed against recurring revenue and retention. How it works Funding may be structured as a loan or a revenue-based advance. Providers look at recurring revenue, customer concentration, churn, contract length and the…
Buying into a franchise can offer an established operating model, but the franchise fee is only part of the investment. Funding should cover a realistic opening budget and the period before the business supports itself. How it works Finance may combine your own contribution with loans, equipment finance or other facilities. Lenders assess the franchise,…
A management buyout allows an existing management team to acquire a business. For a family-owned company it can offer continuity, but the purchase price and funding need to leave a sustainable business afterwards. How it works A transaction may combine buyer funds, lending, investor equity and deferred payments to the seller. The structure affects control,…
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