Funding Circle joins SME matchmaker platform

A comprehensive SME matchmaker has signed up Funding Circle to its host of funders in an effort to increase the options it can offer to prospective business borrowers.

FundingStore, a SME matchmaking website, has today announced that it has added Funding Circle to its panel of lenders - joining Lloyds TSB, Aldermore Bank, RBS and Yorkshire Bank.

Launched back in 2011 with the goal of creating a comparative portal for all potential funding options, FundingStore has quickly accumulated a number of well-known lenders to its panel, creating a comprehensive ‘whole-of-market’ platform.

By adding the leading peer-to-peer lender, FundingStore has opened up a wealth of new opportunities for the borrower, with Funding Circle’s reputation filling an integral part of the SME funding chain.

Speaking on the addition, Nick Montague, CEO of FundingStore, says: The addition of Funding Circle and other household names means that we are now able to offer a truly comprehensive perspective covering all the options an SME should consider.  I have no doubt that FundingStore will play a key part in increasing the scale of SME lending and investment in the UK.”

On FundingStore, businesses enter their funding criteria – including location, funding level sought, investment type, and business sector and size – and the search engine quickly identifies appropriate lenders for their business. Funders who join identify their criteria for lending or investing, so are easily searchable.

The online search is combined with professional support from both in-house experts and a range of advisers on the FundingStore platform, ensuring businesses submit high quality applications to the most appropriate funders.
The platform also offers a parallel online search facility for businesses to find suitable accountants, lawyers and consultants which are often required for larger deals.

Nick added: “A major reason so many businesses struggle to find funding is that there are too many options and often very little clear information about what lenders and investors are willing to fund. This confuses small businesses and funders miss perfectly good opportunities. FundingStore counters this by allowing small businesses to quickly identify a range of funders to approach, and our advisers help them to refine their proposition. It is therefore critical that we offer a whole market view of the funding landscape.