Which industries do you support and which are excluded?

Updated: October 2025

Short answer: we support most established UK limited companies across asset-rich and operational sectors, and we exclude start-ups, sole traders, and high‑risk or non‑commercial categories where lenders typically will not advance funds. We also do not handle property development or mortgage-led finance, consumer lending, or sectors restricted by UK regulation or AML considerations. Our role is to introduce you to suitable lenders or brokers — we are not a lender and we do not provide financial advice.

1) Supported industries: who we help most often

We’re built for established UK trading businesses that need commercial finance to invest, expand, or stabilise cash flow. Most commonly, we support limited companies and LLPs with at least 12 months’ trading and clear business-use funding requirements.

Core sectors we support

• Construction and Building Trades — contractors, specialist trades, fit-out, M&E, scaffolding, and civils.
• Manufacturing and Engineering — fabrication, precision engineering, food production, and packaging.
• Logistics, Transport and Distribution — haulage, last-mile delivery, refrigerated transport, and warehousing.
• Retail and eCommerce — multi-channel merchants, wholesalers, and brand owners with commercial premises.
• Restaurants, Hotels and Hospitality — cafes, pubs, casual dining, QSR, and accommodation providers.
• Automotive — garages, body shops, MOT centres, dealerships, and fleet operators.
• Healthcare and Care — clinics, dental practices, care homes, and domiciliary care providers.
• Professional Services — accountants, solicitors, surveyors, consultancies, and IT services.
• Education and Childcare — private nurseries, training providers, and specialist education services.
• Renewable Energy and Green Tech — installers, EPC upgrades, and energy-efficiency projects.
• Printing, Signage and Fabrication — commercial printers, signage makers, and large format specialists.
• Facilities, Cleaning and Waste Management — FM, industrial cleaning, recycling, and waste operations.
• Leisure, Gyms and Fitness — health clubs, studios, and sports facilities.
• Agriculture and Farming — arable, livestock, and agri-services providers.

Finance types we commonly help you explore

• Asset Finance and Equipment Finance — vehicles, machinery, plant, and technology.
• Invoice Finance — factoring and discounting to unlock B2B receivables.
• Working Capital and Cash Flow Loans — short-to-medium term trading support.
• Fit-Out and Refurbishment Finance — shopfitting, HVAC, and energy upgrades.
• Refinance and Consolidation — restructure existing agreements for control and predictability.
• Vehicles and Fleet — vans, HGVs, specialist vehicles, and EV fleets.

Our AI-led matching considers your sector, trading profile, and use case to introduce relevant providers. You stay in control of which options you pursue, and you can request a Quick Quote with no obligation.

2) Excluded and restricted industries: who we cannot support

We take a transparent, fair, and not misleading approach to eligibility. To respect UK regulatory expectations and lender criteria, we do not support certain sectors and business types.

Firm exclusions

• Start-ups and pre-revenue businesses — we focus on established trading companies.
• Sole traders and general partnerships — our network primarily serves limited companies and LLPs.
• Franchises — franchise finance is currently outside our scope.
• Property-led finance — property development, buy-to-let, bridging, or commercial mortgages.
• Consumer lending and personal finance — our focus is commercial, non-property finance.
• Illegal or non-compliant activity — anything breaching UK law, AML/CTF, or sanctions.
• Adult entertainment, gambling operations, arms trade, or unlicensed pharmaceuticals.
• Unregulated or speculative investments — high-risk schemes and unapproved promotions.
• Crypto speculation and exchanges — unless demonstrably compliant and lender-supported.

Restricted or case-by-case

• Vape/e-liquid manufacturing and distribution — depends on compliance and lender appetite.
• CBD/hemp — permitted only if fully compliant with UK law and lender policies.
• High-variance hospitality/nightlife — subject to financial strength and security profile.
• International exposure — firms with complex cross-border flows may face enhanced due diligence.

Why some sectors are excluded

Providers must manage regulatory risk, capital allocation, and affordability standards. Sectors with heightened volatility, legal constraints, or limited tangible security often fall outside mainstream lender criteria.

We prefer to be upfront so you can save time and avoid unsuitable applications. If you’re unsure where your business sits, submit an enquiry and we’ll confirm whether we can introduce providers.

3) How we evaluate industry fit and typical eligibility signals

We do not make lending decisions or provide advice, but our AI system helps you avoid scattergun applications. It analyses your sector, use of funds, trading profile, and documentation readiness to identify relevant introducers.

What our matching looks for

• Entity type and trading history — limited company/LLP, usually 12+ months trading.
• Use of funds — clearly commercial purposes with a sensible budget and timeline.
• Financial resilience — revenue, margins, debtor book quality, and cash flow trends.
• Security and assets — equipment, vehicles, or invoices that can support facilities.
• Sector dynamics — cyclicality, regulation, and lender appetite for your niche.

Documents that improve outcomes

• Latest filed accounts and recent management figures.
• Business bank statements (3–6 months).
• Aged debtor and creditor reports (for invoice finance).
• Asset lists, quotes, or equipment details (for asset finance).
• Brief narrative on the project or growth plan.

Fair, clear, and not misleading

We will not guarantee acceptance, rates, or timescales. All indications are subject to provider assessment, affordability, and underwriting.

Our communications follow UK expectations that promotions be fair, clear and not misleading. You remain responsible for independent advice where needed.

4) Industry-by-industry guidance: what lenders often look for

Every sector has nuances that affect eligibility and product fit. Below is a practical overview to help you prepare for a Quick Quote.

Construction and building trades

Strong job costing, CIS records, and stage payment evidence help. Asset finance for plant, vehicles, and tools is common, as is invoice finance for certified applications.

Manufacturing and engineering

Lenders value order books, procurement timelines, and maintenance schedules. Machine funding, line upgrades, and energy-efficiency retrofits are typical use cases.

Transport, logistics and distribution

Fleet utilisation, maintenance records, and route contracts are useful. Vehicle and trailer finance, invoice discounting, and fuel cost smoothing are common.

Retail and eCommerce

Multi-channel revenue data and inventory turnover matter. Fit-out, equipment, POS systems, and working capital facilities are regular requirements.

Hospitality and accommodation

Seasonality, average transaction values, and occupancy metrics are relevant. Kitchens, refurbishments, and energy upgrades often suit asset or fit-out finance.

Automotive: garages, MOT and dealerships

Ramp, diagnostic, and body-shop equipment are frequently financed. Dealers may fund forecourt improvements and workshop expansions via asset facilities.

Healthcare and care homes

Compliance, staffing stability, and occupancy or patient volumes are key. Equipment funding, refurbishments, and cash flow smoothing can be feasible.

Professional services

Predictable fee income and lockup cycles support eligibility. Working capital, IT upgrades, and fit-out of new premises are common finance journeys.

Education and childcare

Ofsted ratings, enrolment trends, and staffing ratios matter. Funding often supports refurbishments, safeguarding improvements, or equipment.

Renewables and green technology

Demonstrable ROI from energy savings strengthens cases. Installers may fund specialist kit, vehicles, and training, and clients may fund EPC upgrades.

Agriculture and farming

Asset-led funding for tractors, milking parlours, and storage is typical. Cash flow solutions may help with seasonality and input cost volatility.

Printing, signage and fabrication

Large-format printers, cutters, and presses are well-suited to asset finance. Working capital can bridge longer B2B payment terms.

Facilities management, cleaning and waste

Equipment, vehicles, and compliance systems are common funding needs. Contracted revenue and retention rates help with eligibility.

If you operate outside these examples, we may still match you if you’re an established trading company. The key is a clear commercial purpose and credible financials.

5) Next steps, FAQs and compliance notes

If your sector appears in our supported list and you meet the criteria above, complete a Quick Quote to check eligibility. It’s free to enquire and there’s no obligation to proceed.

To explore options tailored for smaller, established firms, see our guidance on small business loans. This page explains typical use cases, documents, and routes that may suit UK SMEs.

Frequently asked questions

Do you support start-ups or sole traders?
Not at this time. Our network focuses on established limited companies and LLPs.

Can property developers apply?
No. Property-led finance (development, bridging, or mortgages) sits outside our service.

What if my industry isn’t listed?
If you are an established UK trading business in a lawful sector with clear commercial funding needs, submit an enquiry for a view. We’ll confirm quickly if a match is feasible.

Is approval guaranteed?
No. All outcomes depend on provider underwriting, affordability, and due diligence.

What does your service cost?
It’s free to submit a Quick Quote. If you proceed with a third party, fees or commissions may apply and will be disclosed by that provider.

Important compliance note

We operate as an independent introducer using AI-driven matching. We are not a lender, we do not provide financial advice, and we do not arrange or administer credit.

Any rates, terms, or examples are illustrative only and subject to change. All promotions aim to be fair, clear and not misleading, in line with UK expectations.

Key takeaways

• We support most established UK limited companies across mainstream commercial sectors.
• We exclude start-ups, sole traders, property-led finance, and high-risk or restricted sectors.
• Clear commercial use of funds and up-to-date financials improve your match quality.
• Submit a Quick Quote for a free, no-obligation eligibility check and introductions.

Start your finance journey with confidence. Complete your Quick Quote today and let our AI match you with providers who are active in your sector.