Capacity
New premises or sites
Fund a move, fit-out, deposit or other evidenced expansion cost.
Business loans
Growth and acquisition finance for UK companies
Direct answer: growth finance can support a defined investment in capacity, people, premises or systems, while acquisition finance can help fund the purchase of a business or ownership interest. Providers assess the business today, the proposed transaction and the credibility of future repayment.
NBS Finance is a commercial finance broker and introducer, not a lender. Finance is subject to status, affordability, due diligence, provider assessment and terms.
What is the business investing in?
People
Recruitment and mobilisation
Support hiring or delivery costs before additional revenue reaches the business.
Capability
Systems and processes
Invest in technology, implementation, accreditation or operational improvement.
Ownership
Business acquisition
Contribute towards buying a trading business, subject to transaction and buyer due diligence.
Transition
Management buy-in or buyout
Discuss a change in ownership, management succession or partner exit.
Structure
Refinance for a purpose
Consider whether existing commitments can be reorganised alongside a clear growth or transaction plan.
Make the future case credible
Evidence that can help explain the proposal
| Evidence | What it should help explain |
|---|---|
| Historic accounts and recent management figures | The business's current performance, cash generation and existing obligations |
| Project budget or sources-and-uses schedule | Exactly where the funding goes and which costs are already committed |
| Cash-flow forecast and downside case | How repayments could be met if growth is slower or costs are higher than planned |
| Contracts, pipeline or order evidence | The commercial basis for expected additional revenue |
| Acquisition information | Purchase price, target performance, heads of terms, ownership and integration plan |
| Management experience | Why the team can deliver the proposed project or transaction |
Possible starting structures
| Route | May fit | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Unsecured term loan | A defined investment supported by business affordability | A personal guarantee may still be required |
| Secured term loan | A larger or longer-term proposal with suitable security | Property or another secured asset can be at risk following default |
| Asset finance | Growth depends mainly on vehicles, plant, machinery or equipment | The finance is linked more directly to identifiable assets |
| Invoice finance | Growth creates a cash gap against eligible unpaid B2B invoices | Availability and fees relate to the debtor book and facility terms |
A transaction can use more than one source, but additional facilities increase complexity and repayment obligations. The complete funding structure should be assessed together.
Turn a growth idea into a finance proposal
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Define the investment
Set the amount, commercial objective, budget, timing and owner of delivery.
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Evidence repayment
Connect historic performance and forecasts to an affordable repayment plan with a downside case.
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Complete transaction checks
For acquisitions or ownership changes, expect additional financial, legal and commercial due diligence.
Five quick answers
Growth and acquisition finance questions
01 · Can a loan fund a business acquisition?
Yes, business-acquisition loans are available for eligible transactions. Providers assess the buyer, target business, purchase price, buyer contribution, historic results, transaction structure, security and the combined business's post-acquisition repayment capacity.
02 · Is a business plan always needed?
Requirements vary, but a clear plan, budget and forecast can be important where repayment depends on future growth or a material change to the business.
03 · Can future contract income support the case?
It can form part of the evidence, but providers may examine whether the contract is signed, cancellable, profitable and operationally deliverable. Future income is not guaranteed.
04 · How should the amount be calculated?
Use a detailed project or transaction budget, identify the owner's contribution, include relevant fees and model a reasonable contingency rather than requesting an arbitrary round figure.
05 · What if the growth takes longer than expected?
Build a downside cash-flow case before borrowing. Consider whether the business can still meet payments if revenue arrives later, margins are lower or costs increase.
Explain the growth or acquisition plan
Start with the amount, project or transaction, timing, contribution and repayment case.