55% of UK SMEs unable to access all funding needed to grow

Research from Liberis, a leading small business finance provider, revealed that over half of UK businesses are unable to access the funding needed to grow; with the main hindering factor being a lack of education or understanding of their funding options. With falling SME confidence in the economy (FSB, 2018) and mounting concerns over costs given the relative weakness of the sterling, Liberis strongly urges the UK to better support its small business community.

The lifeblood of the UK economy, SMEs contribute more than £200bn a year (January 2018); with this number expected to grow by almost 20% by 2025 (Centre for Economics and Business Research, January 2018). Yet, without a vital cash injection, this 2025 vision will be severely stinted.

Hindering growth opportunities, this lag in SME development may in turn negatively impact the economy. Liberis therefore believes it is crucial to ensure better understanding on how to navigate the perceived minefield of funding options. Small business education is desperately required to increase awareness levels of the process; greatly benefiting both businesses and economy alike. Such movement has been reinforced in a recent report from the British Business Bank, in which the UK Government backed organisation pledges its dedication to a more targeted educational campaign on the topic of SME finance (British Business Bank’s Small Business Finance Markets 2018 report).

While 62% of UK SMEs said they need funding to grow and expand (Liberis, 2018), but 57% of SMEs were unsure which provider to obtain funding from and 53% did not have a set amount in mind when looking to access finance (Liberis, 2018).

Liberis found 22% of businesses require funding to maintain business as usual, while 5% need funding to survive past the first year of business.  Speed of funding has been identified as integral to achieving this growth. Other findings of the report showed an increase in the popularity of crowdfunding as a source, with 10% of UK SMEs looking to use this as a means for funding in the next two years.

Commenting on the report, Rob Straathof, CEO at Liberis, said: ‘These findings have opened our eyes to a lack of confidence and awareness among SMEs in how to correctly secure the funding they so desperately need. Funding will continue to be a hot topic for the small business community, but urgent action and collaboration is crucial to prevent resulting damage to the UK economy. Without sufficient financial education and support, the UK’s business ambitions will be severely affected but by ensuring they have the correct financial understanding, we can help secure and strengthen their livelihood; fast-tracking their ambitions.’

Established in 2007, in a space where traditional banking and loan models were finding it challenging to meet the needs of UK SMEs, Liberis provides fair and transparent funding options based on business potential, helping entrepreneurs achieve their goals and ambitions. Through its Business Cash Advance, an innovative form of funding, Liberis links repayments directly to cash flow so businesses only repay when their customers pay them. To date Liberis has helped over 6,000 SMEs, advanced £200m in funding ( Between 2007-2018) and supported over 24,000 jobs in the UK (Since 2007). Moving forward, the company aims to further empower small businesses, broadening customer reach through strategic partnerships and international expansion.