Do you work with sole traders, locums or franchises, or only limited companies and LLPs?
Short answer
We currently support established UK limited companies and LLPs through our AI-powered matching platform. We do not presently support sole traders, franchises, or start-up businesses. Locums can be considered where they operate via a limited company with sufficient trading history and meet typical lender criteria.
Who we help today: eligible business types and sectors
Best Business Loans is an independent introducer that connects established trading businesses with suitable lenders and brokers. Our network is optimised for limited companies (Ltd) and limited liability partnerships (LLPs). These are the business structures most commercial funders in our network actively serve.
Typical eligibility includes being UK-based, trading for at least 12 months, and having verifiable revenue. Lenders may also look for evidence of affordability, a stable cash flow profile, and a clear funding purpose. Eligibility is always at the provider’s discretion, and terms will vary.
We commonly help operating companies in asset-rich and trade-based sectors. These include construction, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, hospitality, retail, automotive, and professional services. If you’re in building trades, you may find our sector guidance useful: building services finance options.
Locums trading through a limited company
If you’re a locum working through your own limited company with established trading history, you may be in scope. Lenders will still assess turnover, contract stability, and affordability. Where trading is recent or mainly sole-trader based, options are limited in our current network.
What we can help you explore
- Cash flow loans and working capital facilities.
- Asset and equipment finance, vehicles and fleet funding.
- Fit-out and refurbishment financing for trading premises.
- Invoice finance and selective invoice discounting for B2B firms.
- Refinance and consolidation of existing commercial agreements.
Important note
We do not supply loans directly, provide financial advice, or guarantee funding. We introduce you to suitable finance providers based on your profile and needs. Submitting an enquiry is free and without obligation.
Who we cannot support right now (and why)
We’re transparent about our scope so you can save time and make informed decisions. We do not currently support sole traders, general partnerships, franchises, start-ups, property finance, or commercial mortgages. This reflects lender appetite within our network and risk/underwriting considerations for these profiles.
Sole traders and general partnerships typically fall under consumer credit rules or require brokers who specialise in that segment. Our network is focused on corporate lending to established trading entities. Franchises often require specialised underwriting, which sits outside our present matching parameters.
Start-ups usually require seed, venture or grant funding, or personal guarantees at a level outside many commercial lenders’ criteria. Property finance and commercial mortgages demand specialist, regulated intermediaries and longer processes. We currently focus on non-property commercial finance for trading businesses.
Sole traders and locums as sole traders
At this time, we’re not able to process enquiries for sole traders, including locums operating on a sole-trader basis. This is to ensure our matching remains fair, clear and appropriate for our lender network. We will update our guidance if this changes in future.
Franchises and franchisees
Franchise finance often involves franchise-specific agreements, franchisor approvals and tailored underwriting. We don’t currently match franchisees or franchisors seeking funding via our platform. If your franchise operates as an Ltd with multi-year trading and assets, we can reassess in future as our panel evolves.
Why clarity matters
Being clear about eligibility helps avoid failed applications and unnecessary credit searches. It also supports FCA principles of promotions being fair, clear and not misleading. If your business is out of scope today, we aim to give practical next steps below.
Practical next steps if you’re a sole trader, locum or franchise
Even if we cannot support you today, there are ways to improve future eligibility. For locums, consider whether operating via a limited company suits your circumstances. Many commercial funders prefer incorporated entities with clear financial statements.
For sole traders thinking of incorporating, discuss the implications with an accountant. Consider the impact on tax, liability, and lending options. Lenders usually prefer at least 12 months of trading history for the incorporated entity.
Franchisees may wish to seek a lender or broker that specialises in franchise finance. Some banks have franchise divisions with panel lists approved by well-known franchisors. Specialist advice can improve your chances of acceptance.
Prepare the right information
- Latest full accounts and management information.
- Bank statements (typically last 3–6 months).
- Details of existing finance agreements and liabilities.
- Contract schedules if you’re a locum operating via an Ltd.
- Clear funding purpose, cost breakdown and repayment plan.
When to contact us
If you run a limited company or LLP with at least 12 months’ trading, you can submit a Quick Quote now. If you’re planning to incorporate soon, you can revisit after you have a track record under the new structure. If in doubt, send a brief enquiry and our team will signpost your next step.
Timeframes and expectations
Eligibility checks and decisions in principle can be quick once information is complete. Final approvals depend on lender underwriting and may require additional documentation. No outcome is guaranteed, and all finance is subject to status and terms.
How our AI-led matching works (and what to expect)
We make it simpler to find suitable finance providers without contacting dozens of firms. Our AI analyses your business profile and funding need, then matches you to relevant lenders or brokers. This approach saves time and reduces scattergun applications.
Step 1: Complete a Quick Quote. It takes a couple of minutes, and there’s no obligation. Step 2: Our system analyses your details against current market appetite.
Step 3: We introduce you to providers who may be able to help. Step 4: You compare options, ask questions, and choose what’s right for your cash flow. You remain in full control throughout the process.
What we don’t do
- We don’t provide loans ourselves or give regulated financial advice.
- We don’t claim to find the lowest rate every time.
- We don’t share your information beyond relevant providers linked to your enquiry.
What we aim to do
- Help established UK companies find suitable, actively lending providers.
- Improve clarity on funding types, documentation and expectations.
- Encourage confident, well-informed decisions that suit your business needs.
Ready to get started?
Submit your Quick Quote to see potential matches without commitment. You can pause or stop at any time before proceeding. It’s fast, secure and free to enquire.
Transparency, compliance and FAQs
We follow the spirit of the FCA’s “clear, fair and not misleading” standards for financial promotions. BestBusinessLoans.ai is an independent introducer and is not authorised by the FCA. We do not offer credit ourselves, and nothing on this page is personal financial advice.
All finance options are subject to provider criteria, status and affordability. Rates, fees and terms vary by provider, loan type and risk profile. Providers may run credit and fraud checks as part of their process.
We encourage you to read provider terms, costs and conditions in full before committing. Consider independent advice if you are unsure. Responsible borrowing protects your business and its cash flow.
FAQs
Do you work with sole traders? Not at the moment. Our matching focuses on established limited companies and LLPs.
What about locums? If you operate as a limited company with trading history, we may be able to help. Sole-trader locums are currently out of scope.
Do you support franchises? Not currently. Franchise finance is specialised and outside our present network focus.
Which industries are typically eligible? We often assist construction, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, hospitality, retail, automotive and professional services. Sector appetite changes over time and by provider.
Is a decision in principle guaranteed? No. Any DIP or indication is subject to underwriting, evidence and final lender approval.
Key takeaways
- We support established UK limited companies and LLPs.
- Sole traders, franchises and start-ups are not supported at this time.
- Locums may be eligible if trading via a limited company with sufficient history.
- We introduce you to suitable providers; we do not offer loans directly or give advice.
- Submitting a Quick Quote is free, secure and without obligation.
Why lenders prefer Ltd and LLP structures
Many UK commercial lenders calibrate their underwriting for incorporated entities. Limited companies and LLPs typically produce formal accounts and management information. This enables clearer assessment of affordability and risk.
Incorporation can also separate personal and business liabilities. That helps lenders analyse a business on its own merits. Where personal guarantees are requested, these are assessed alongside the business profile.
If you’re moving from sole trader to Ltd, build a trading track record under the new entity. Keep clean, consistent financial records from day one. This helps smooth future applications.
What information helps speed up matching
Clear funding purpose: working capital, equipment, vehicles, or fit-out. Target amount and repayment preference: term length and affordability. Supporting documents: accounts, bank statements, and existing finance schedules.
Sector context: trading cycle, seasonal factors, and customer payment terms. Asset details if asset finance is relevant. Any recent changes, such as new contracts or facility renewals.
With this detail, our system can suggest more accurate provider matches. It also reduces back-and-forth requests from lenders. You make faster, better-informed decisions.
What you can expect after you enquire
We’ll confirm receipt and begin matching your profile to potential providers. You may be introduced to a lender or a specialist commercial broker aligned to your use case. They will explain eligibility, terms and next steps.
You stay in control of whether to proceed, request changes or decline. There’s no obligation to accept any option. If your profile doesn’t fit today, we’ll be open about it and suggest when to revisit.
Market appetite evolves, so eligibility can improve over time. Strengthening financials and documentation also helps. Our role is to guide, not to pressure.
Examples of funding we can help Ltd/LLPs explore
- Cash flow loans: Short-to-medium-term funding to smooth working capital.
- Invoice finance: Release cash from B2B invoices to accelerate cash conversion.
- Asset finance: Spread the cost of equipment, machinery or technology.
- Vehicle and fleet: Fund cars, vans or specialist commercial vehicles.
- Fit-out finance: Support refurbishments or expansions of trading premises.
Each option has different documentation and pricing approaches. Providers consider turnover, profitability, sector risk and asset quality. We help narrow the field to realistic options.
Data protection and responsible introductions
Your data is handled securely and shared only with relevant providers tied to your enquiry. We never sell your data. We aim to connect you with professionals who are actively lending in your sector.
We encourage careful review of all costs, covenants and early-settlement terms. Ask providers to explain total cost of credit and any fees. Responsible borrowing supports sustainable growth.
If you spot any content that seems unclear, please let us know at hello@bestbusinessloans.ai. We review pages regularly to keep them up to date. Your feedback helps us improve.
In short
We work with established UK limited companies and LLPs, not sole traders or franchises at this time. Locums trading via a limited company with trading history may be considered. Submit a Quick Quote to check potential eligibility and get introduced to suitable providers.
There’s no obligation to proceed, and enquiries are free. Every provider has its own criteria, so outcomes can vary. We aim to keep everything fair, clear and not misleading.
Updated: October 2025. For general information only; not financial advice. Subject to status, affordability and provider terms.