What businesses
are saying

Watch Ground Coffee, an award-winning coffee shop in Brighton, talking about borrowing money through Funding Circle

×

BBC News

Close

Listen to the Eagle Vending Services talking on Radio 5 Live about their experience of Funding Circle

Scotmas Limited in the Economist

"Our bank quoted us 8-10 weeks just to consider our application for an extension to our facilities. Our Funding Circle application was completed, and the funds in our bank in less than half the time. Funding Circle allows you to tell your story to real people and obtain their backing. The process is simple, secure and very painless. Highly recommended!"

Peak Net Ltd in the Daily Mail

"After everything that I've read about rescued banks being forced to lend to small businesses, I was shocked,...a colleague mentioned Funding Circle... The terms here are far more attractive."

Sustainable Direction Ltd in the Guardian

"The big banks were happy to lend me the money, but at much higher rates of interest - and they wanted more guarantees."

The Cashmere Centre borrowed £40,000 from more than 507 investors to build its e-commerce offer for customers

The Cashmere Centre is Buckinghamshire-based mail order provider of high-quality cashmere. The company has the largest range of cashmere products currently offered by mail order in the UK. It required funding to continue to meet stock requirements during peak periods, such as Christmas, as well as improving the functionality of the website for customers.

Jeff Pert, managing director of The Cashmere Centre commented: "The whole process with Funding Circle was very impressive and it was quicker, easier and cheaper than the high street banks. We received our funds within 14 days and this enabled us to concentrate on growing our business. Without this funding we would have had to limit our growth plans in 2012."

The Retail Data Partnership secured a deal worth £65,000 thank to investment from 757 Funding Circle investors. The business used the money to fund a major project with one of its wholesaler partners. As a result it expects to double its business by summer 2012.

Stephen Burnett, managing director of The Retail Data Partnership commented: “Before approaching Funding Circle, I’d met with three different banks, none of whom were prepared to lend despite the business having signed contracts from customers – in the end, their only recommendation was that I re-mortgage my house. The process of applying for funds through Funding Circle took no more than 90 minutes of my time.  Their response was quick and straightforward, and the whole process was very transparent to me, unlike the banks.  As far as I am concerned the current debate about how to reform the banks is largely irrelevant in the light of a service like Funding Circle.”