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Business loansLast updated: 21 May 2026
Get matched with the best business loan for your company
Compare business loans from 130+ lenders with free, fast, expert support
Why get a business loan with Capitalise?
200,000 UK businesses trust us
Business credit data powered by Experian
£2bn in funding approved
FCA regulated since 2015
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What is a business loan?
A business loan is a sum of money borrowed by a company from a lender, repaid over an agreed term with interest. Unlike personal loans, business loans are assessed on your company's financial health, trading history, and credit profile and must be used solely for business purposes.
Business loans are available at every stage of a company's life. Whether you're a sole trader bridging a cash flow gap, an SME investing in new equipment, or a growing business funding an acquisition, there is a product designed for your situation. At Capitalise, we act as a business loan marketplace, connecting you with the right lender from our panel of 130+ UK providers, rather than a single bank. This means you see competitive offers side-by-side, with a dedicated specialist supporting you.
What can you use a business loan for?
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Fuel your growth and expansion
Use capital to open new locations, launch new products, or scale your business operations
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Smooth cash flow
Maintain stability during seasonal dips or long invoice cycles without straining your cash reserves.
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Purchase stock, equipment or inventory
If you want to take advantage of supplier discounts, or prepare for a busy season, use finance to buy your goods early.
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Can I get a business loan? Eligibility explained
Whether you qualify for a business loan depends on the lender and product type. Typical criteria include:
Don't meet all the criteria? At Capitalise we work with specialist lenders who serve businesses with adverse credit, short trading histories, or non-standard financial situations. Your funding specialist will identify the most realistic options for your circumstances.
How to get a business loan with Capitalise?
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Check your eligibility
Complete a quick online form with details about your business and funding needs. This helps us understand which lenders and products may be suitable for you.
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Submit your application
Your funding specialist will helps you prepare and submit the required documents to the lender(s). This allows lenders to assess your business and provide funding offers.
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Compare offers and receive funding
Review and compare available offers based on rates, terms, and loan type. Once you move forward with a lender and are approved, funds can be transferred in as little as 24 hours.
Business loan calculator: calculate repayments
Use our free business loan calculator to see how much your business could borrow, what your monthly repayments are likely to look like, as well as the total cost including interest.
What do you need the funding for?
Funding for covering costs e.g. tax or payroll. These are typically unsecured loans.
How long do you want to pay back your loan for?
How much do you want to borrow?
£25,000
Interest rate
Typical business loans to cover costs range from 7% - 16% APR depending on the duration, amount and lender.
Loan amount
£ -
Total interest amount
£ -
11% APR over 3 years.
Total repayment amount
£ -
Total monthly repayment
£ - / month
Not sure what you can afford?
Sign up to check your affordabilityWhat types of business loans are available?
There are various types of loans available for businesses. From traditional term loans, to specialised options like invoice financing, there’s something for every business need. Read through the common types below to find out the funding that fits your business now:
Type of business loan | How it works |
Invoice finance | Get cash quickly by borrowing against the payments your customers owe you. This helps your business avoid waiting for invoices to clear. |
Asset finance | Allows you to buy or lease equipment immediately without full upfront payment, helping you manage your cash flow better. |
Merchant cash advance | Ideal for businesses with lots of card transactions, this gives your business cash upfront in return for a cut of your future sales. |
Peer-to-peer loans | These loans connect you with individual investors through a lending platform. This often results in better interest rates and flexible terms. |
Start up loans | Designed for new businesses, these loans provide the funds you need to get started and support initial growth. |
Secured loans | These loans require collateral, such as a property or equipment, but you'll usually benefit from lower interest rates. |
Unsecured loans | No collateral needed here, but expect higher interest rates since the lender is taking on more risk. |
Great for quick financial needs like restocking inventory or covering a temporary cash shortfall, and typically paid back within a year. | |
Long term loans | These are for bigger investments and are paid back over several years. |
Line of credit | This flexible financing option gives you access to a set limit of money. You can draw down as needed, so it's perfect for smoothing out cash flow or handling unexpected costs. |
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What interest rates and fees should you expect with a business loan?
Lenders assess your business credit score, trading history, profitability, and any assets you hold when determining the interest rate and terms you're offered. Typical APRs in the UK include:
Most loans also carry arrangement fees of typically 1%–3% of the loan value and may include early repayment charges. Any offer you receive through Capitalise will include a full cost breakdown, so you know what to expect, with no surprises.
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Are there government backed business loans available?
There are UK government backed loan schemes designed to help SMEs access business finance more easily, particularly where security is limited or traditional lending criteria are harder to meet. One of the main current programmes is the Growth Guarantee Scheme, launched in 2024 and delivered by the British Business Bank. The scheme supports loans, overdrafts, asset finance, and invoice finance facilities of up to £2 million, with the government guaranteeing 70% of the lender’s exposure. The scheme is currently expected to run until March 2030, subject to government review and lender availability. Capitalise works with accredited lenders participating in the scheme and can help identify suitable finance options for your business.
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APPLY AND COMPARE BUSINESS LOAN OFFERS TODAY
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