Do you support start-ups, sole traders or franchise businesses?

Short answer

In most cases, Best Business Loans does not currently support start-ups, sole traders or franchise businesses for the types of commercial finance we most commonly help with.

We act as an independent introducer and matching platform that connects established UK businesses with lenders and brokers; we do not provide loans and we are not an FCA-authorised lender or regulated financial adviser.

Our role and who we serve

Best Business Loans uses AI-driven matching to introduce UK businesses to lenders and brokers that may meet their needs.

We are an introducer and comparison platform, not a lender, and we do not provide regulated advice or supply loan funds directly.

For transparency and compliance, we make clear which business types and funding routes we typically support and which we do not.

What we mean by “not supported” for start-ups

When we say we do not support start-ups it generally refers to very early-stage businesses with limited or no trading history.

Most commercial lenders we work with require at least 12 months of trading, demonstrable turnover, and some form of security or assets for many product types.

Start-ups can face higher pricing and fewer options, so our network usually focuses on established SMEs where we can efficiently match suitable offers.

That said, there are specialist start-up funding providers, angel investors, government grant schemes and crowdfunding options that may be better suited for early-stage companies.

If you are a start-up you can still submit a Quick Quote and we will tell you whether we can match you or recommend specific alternative routes.

Sole traders: typical issues and practical guidance

Sole traders can be excluded from many commercial finance products because lenders prefer limited companies or partnerships for clearer separation of personal and business risk.

Some lenders will consider sole traders for smaller facilities or invoice finance if they can evidence steady trading and business bank statements.

When applying, sole traders should be prepared to provide personal credit information and potentially personal guarantees, which increases lender scrutiny.

If you trade as a sole trader and need finance, consider incorporating if appropriate, or seek brokers who specialise in sole trader lending to compare options.

Submitting our Quick Quote will quickly establish whether our partner lenders have appetite for a sole trader enquiry and what documentation will be needed.

Franchises: why they can be treated differently

Franchise businesses occupy a middle ground — some lenders view franchises favourably if the brand has a strong track record, while others see the franchise agreement as additional complexity.

Lenders often assess the franchisor’s support, territory exclusivity, franchisee performance data and the franchise agreement when considering finance applications.

Established franchisees with proven trading history, healthy cash flow and acceptable security or assets are more likely to be matched to asset finance, equipment funding or working capital facilities.

We can sometimes connect franchised businesses to lenders or brokers who specialise in franchise funding, though acceptance depends on lender policies and the specific franchise model.

For franchisees making site improvements or energy upgrades there may also be relevant options such as sustainability or green finance; see our guidance on sustainability loans for examples of how upgrade funding can work.

How to check eligibility, next steps and what to expect

Complete our Quick Quote form for a rapid Decision in Principle or eligibility check tailored to your business profile.

We ask about trading history, turnover, sector, loan purpose and security to match you to the right lenders or brokers.

If your business falls outside the typical criteria we will either signpost specialist alternatives or explain what you can do to improve eligibility.

Typical documents lenders request include business bank statements, management accounts, VAT returns (if applicable) and details of assets or existing finance agreements.

Submitting a Quick Quote is free, confidential and non-binding, and it is the fastest way to discover whether our network can help your start-up, sole trader or franchise business now or in future.

Key takeaways

Best Business Loans mainly helps established UK businesses and generally does not support early-stage start-ups or many sole trader enquiries.

Franchises can sometimes be matched if they have trading history and lender-acceptable documentation.

Use our Quick Quote to get an immediate eligibility check and clear next-step guidance tailored to your situation.

Author and company details

Best Business Loans is an independent UK introducer that uses AI to match businesses with lenders and brokers.

We are not a lender and we are not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority to provide regulated financial advice.

For guidance or to start a Quick Quote, email hello@bestbusinessloans.ai or click the Quick Quote link on this site to get an instant check.

Important compliance and advertising information

This page is intended to provide clear, fair and non-misleading information about whom we can assist and how our service works.

We make no promise of approval, pricing or lender terms — final decisions are at the discretion of lenders and brokers we introduce.

For regulated consumer credit products you may need to seek authorised advice; our service focuses on commercial finance for businesses and signposts alternatives where relevant.

Ready to check your eligibility?

If you want a fast, no-obligation eligibility check, complete our Quick Quote now and receive an immediate Decision in Principle where possible.

We will tell you if we can help, introduce you to suitable lenders or brokers, or recommend specialist routes if your business is a start-up, sole trader or operates as a franchise.

Submit your details and take the next step towards the right business finance solution today.