How to apply for apply for a business loan through Capitalise

Applying for a business loan shouldn't be complicated. But without the right support, it's easy to waste time approaching the wrong lenders, damage your credit profile with rejected applications, or end up with a product that doesn't fit your needs. At Capitalise, we've built a funding journey that takes the guesswork out of the business loan application process. You sign up for free, fill in one fast application form, and a dedicated funding specialist works with you from there. They'll get to know your business, quickly search more than 130 lenders, and match your business to the options you’re most likely to be approved for. You stay in control of every decision; they handle the complexity.

This guide walks you through each step of our simple loan application journey, so you know exactly what to expect, what we need from you, and how we work together to find funding that's the right fit for your business.

Step 1: Sign up for free

Creating your Capitalise for Business account is free and only takes a few minutes. Simply hit the sign up button and fill in a few basic details:

• Your full name and contact details

• Your company name, type and country

And that’s it. Your free account is set up and ready to go.

Step 2: Understand your credit profile

With a free Capitalise for Business account, you’ll have instant access to your business credit profile. Think of this as a financial health report that includes your business credit score as well the risk factors impacting it. Crucially, your credit profile is the financial health report that lenders look at when they’re deciding whether to offer your business a loan, how much to lend you, and what rates to charge.

Capitalise gives you a look behind the scenes with insights powered by Experian and tips for how to improve your credit profile before you apply for a business loan. This is important because a rejected funding application today can make it even more difficult to get a loan tomorrow. Understanding your credit profile gives you the financial clarity to apply with confidence, or hold off on applying until you’re in the best position to do so.

Step 3: Fill in a single application form

You can apply for a loan directly from your Capitalise account. All you need to do is tell us:

• What your revenue was over the last 12 months

• How much you want to borrow and for how long

• What you’ll use it for and how soon you need it

• How best to get in touch to discuss your options

Capitalise isn’t a lender, but rather a marketplace that connects you with over 130 lenders who specialise in small business finance. The benefit of applying this way is that you’re not limited to one specific business loan from one specific lender. Instead, you’re filling in one quick application form to get matched with multiple relevant funding options from the most suitable lenders. Importantly, we’ll only match you with funding that your business is likely to be approved for, so you don’t waste time on guesswork and wild goose chases.

Step 4: Speak to a funding specialist

Shortly after we receive your application, one of our funding specialists will give you a call to discuss your goals, opportunities and the current performance of your business. They’ll combine this with Experian-powered credit insights to find the funding options best suited to your business and needs.

Your funding specialist will stick with you throughout the application process as a single point of contact. They’re here to help you, so feel free to ask as many questions as you like. We want you to leave the call with a clear understanding of how the lending market works, what lenders are actually looking and how well your business meets those criteria.

Step 5: Review your funding options

Once your funding specialist has identified your funding options, they’ll share them with you and explain:

• How each product works

• Why it’s a good fit

• Fees you’ll pay

• Interest rates

• Any associated costs

Sometimes, the options they share with you might be different from what you were expecting, and often that’s a good thing. Let’s say for example, you come to us looking for a business loan. In speaking to you and analysing your profile, your funding specialist might identify that another product is better suited to your needs. Maybe your business is more likely to be approved for asset finance. Perhaps a revolving credit facility would be more cost-effective. Or a business credit card is a better fit.

Remember, you ultimately want to avoid a rejected application. And, at this stage, you have the benefit of not having applied to any specific lender just yet. Our goal is to make sure that the application you make is the one most likely to be successful and to deliver funding that genuinely aligns with your goals. When you’ve had a chance to review your options and let your funding specialist know which ones you’d like to pursue, they’ll send you a detailed request for any documents that we need to move forward. They’ll also explain what to expect and estimated timelines.

Step 6: Apply to your chosen lenders

When we have all the required documents, your funding specialist will go ahead and submit funding applications to your chosen lenders. To save you time, we manage this part of the process on your behalf, answering any questions lenders might have and gathering further documentation as needed.

You can log in to your Capitalise account at any time to see exactly which lenders are involved and track the status of your application. Your funding specialist is also just a phone call or email away if you have any questions.

Step 7: Review your funding offers

Once all the lenders have come back to us with their decisions, your funding specialist will present you with the best available offers, including:

• The funding amount

• Repayment structure

• Interest rates

• All applicable fees

• Mechanics e.g. what happens if you overpay or repay early

• An explanation of how each offer works

• The rationale behind what you’ve been offered

• Any commission Capitalise will earn from the lender

If a lender has declined to offer your business funding, they’ll talk you through that decision and the reasons behind it. Your funding specialist is there to make sure you understand exactly what kind of funding you’ve been offered, how much it’s going to cost and how you’ll be expected to pay it back. They’ll also guide you through the process of comparing different offers, so you can decide which one is right for you.

Step 8: Receive the funds in your account

This is the best part of the process: accepting an offer and seeing those funds land in your business account. Your funding specialist knows the industry like the back of their hand, so they’ll be quick to point out any hurdles that could delay the payout and make sure the process runs smoothly. As a business owner, you might not be able to sit back and relax, but you can at least focus on day-to-day operations instead of stressing over the final paperwork.

Step 9: Say hello to your account manager

Once the funds are deposited in your business bank account, it’s time to meet your dedicated account manager. They’ll get in touch to say hello and offer their ongoing support.  No question is too big or too small. Lean on your account manager throughout your loan repayment term and beyond as your business evolves and the time comes to explore other funding opportunities. We’re here to help you at every stage.

Ready to get started?

Whether you’re ready to apply for a business loan or simply interested in your business financial health, sign up for free in just a few clicks. See what’s impacting your credit profile, check your eligibility, and explore your options with our loan calculator. It’s never too early, or too late, to discover a healthier way to do business.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to apply for a business loan through Capitalise?

Signing up is free and takes a few minutes. From there, the time to funding depends on the type of finance, the lender, and how quickly documentation can be provided. Your funding specialist will give you estimated timelines at each stage so you always know what to expect.

Does applying through Capitalise affect my credit score?

Signing up and viewing your credit profile doesn't affect your score. Capitalise uses your profile to match you with lenders before any formal applications are made, which means you avoid the credit file impact of approaching multiple lenders individually.

Is Capitalise a lender?

No. Capitalise is a funding marketplace that connects small businesses with more than 130 lenders who specialise in business finance. Rather than applying to lenders one at a time, you fill in a single form and get matched with the options most suited to your business.

What types of business funding can I access through Capitalise?

Capitalise gives you access to a wide range of products including business loans, revolving credit facilities, invoice finance, asset finance, and merchant cash advances. Your funding specialist will help identify which product best fits your needs before any applications are submitted.

What documents do I need to apply for a business loan? 

Most lenders will want to see recent bank statements (usually the last three to six months), your most recent filed accounts, and tax returns. If your filed accounts are more than six months old, up-to-date management accounts help fill the gap. You'll also need to explain what the funding is for and how you plan to repay it. When you apply through Capitalise, your funding specialist will give you a clear list of exactly what's needed before any applications are submitted, so there are no last-minute surprises.

How quickly can I get a business loan? 

It depends on the type of funding and the lender. Some unsecured business loans can be approved and paid out within 24 to 48 hours. More complex or larger applications typically take longer. The fastest way to move through the process is to have your documents ready and respond quickly to any lender requests. Your Capitalise funding specialist will give you realistic timelines upfront and flag anything that could cause delays.

Can I repay a business loan early? 

Many business loans allow early repayment, but some lenders charge a fee for it. Before you commit to any offer, check whether early repayment is permitted and what it would cost. Your Capitalise funding specialist will walk you through the terms of any offer before you accept, so you know exactly where you stand.

Can I get a business loan with bad credit? 

A weaker credit profile doesn't automatically rule out funding. Some lenders specialise in businesses with limited or imperfect credit histories, and the right product for your business may be different from a standard term loan. What matters is finding lenders whose appetite matches your profile. Capitalise searches more than 130 lenders to identify the options your business is most likely to be approved for, which means you're not wasting applications on lenders unlikely to say yes.