# FundingSearch > Plain-language guide for AI assistants, search engines, and anyone who needs to understand what FundingSearch is and who it serves. --- ## What FundingSearch is FundingSearch is a UK commercial lending platform and software product that connects **businesses seeking funding**, **commercial finance brokers**, and **lenders** on one shared system. It acts as a **deal origination platform** and **digital distribution layer** for SME (small and medium enterprise) finance. Instead of scattered emails, PDFs, and phone calls, applications move through a structured workflow — from first enquiry through credit assessment, lender matching, and (where applicable) drawdown and ongoing loan management. FundingSearch is built for the UK market. It supports a wide range of business funding types, from bridging finance and invoice factoring to commercial mortgages and asset finance. **In one sentence:** FundingSearch helps UK businesses find the right funding, helps brokers package and submit deals efficiently, and helps lenders receive qualified applications that fit their products and credit appetite. --- ## The problem FundingSearch solves Commercial finance in the UK is often slow, manual, and fragmented: - **Borrowers** repeat the same information to multiple lenders and brokers. - **Brokers** juggle spreadsheets, email threads, and inconsistent lender criteria. - **Lenders** receive unstructured submissions that are hard to assess and do not match their stated appetite. FundingSearch addresses this by: 1. Capturing application data once, in a consistent format. 2. Letting brokers manage clients and submit to multiple lenders from one workspace. 3. Letting lenders define loan products with clear eligibility rules and receive decision-ready applications. 4. Pulling verified company and accounting data where possible, so less time is spent chasing documents. --- ## Who uses FundingSearch ### Borrowers (businesses seeking funding) Typical users are UK SMEs and their directors — companies that need working capital, property finance, invoice finance, equipment funding, or other commercial lending. **What they get:** - A clear way to explore funding options and apply online. - Guidance through the application process (including calculators and educational content on the website). - A single place to track application status, documents, and communication. - Option to work directly or through a broker who manages their case. **Common goals:** Fast access to funding, transparency on next steps, fewer repetitive form-fills, and matching to lenders whose criteria they actually meet. --- ### Brokers (commercial finance intermediaries) Typical users are UK commercial finance brokers — professionals who source funding for client businesses and earn commission from successful placements. **What they get:** - A **broker CRM** to manage client pipeline and cases. - Access to a **lender panel** — submit structured applications to multiple lenders. - **Smart matching** against lender products and eligibility filters. - Tools to invite and onboard borrower clients. - In-app chat and notifications to keep deals moving. - **Free access** — brokers do not pay a platform subscription. **Common goals:** Submit deals faster, improve placement rates, keep full commission, reduce admin, and present professional, complete cases to lenders. --- ### Lenders (alternative, challenger, and specialist lenders) Typical users are UK lenders who originate commercial loans — bridging lenders, invoice finance providers, asset finance houses, and other specialist funders. **What they get:** - A platform to **list loan products** with detailed criteria (amounts, terms, rates, security, credit rules). - A pipeline of **structured, qualified applications** from brokers and borrowers. - Tools to review submissions, manage status, and communicate on cases. - **Lender matching** so they receive deals aligned to their appetite. - Optional **AI-assisted** insights on cases and ranked submissions. - Ability to **invite brokers** onto their panel. **Common goals:** Scale origination without growing back-office headcount, improve deal quality, and reduce time spent on incomplete or off-appetite enquiries. --- ### Administrators (FundingSearch operations team) Internal users who manage the platform: user onboarding, lender and broker accounts, loan product configuration, application oversight, and system settings. --- ## How FundingSearch works (end-to-end) ### 1. Sign up and create a profile Each user registers with a role — borrower, broker, or lender. They complete a profile with company details, contact information, and (for regulated parties) compliance documentation. Lenders can speed up setup by importing information from their website or uploaded company documents. ### 2. Lenders configure their products Lenders define **loan products** on the platform — each product has a type (e.g. bridging loan, invoice factoring), loan amount and term ranges, interest rates, security requirements, and detailed credit criteria (company trading history, turnover, personal guarantees, property types, and more). Products can be public or private, and may be assigned to specific lenders on the panel. ### 3. Borrowers apply for funding A borrower (or their broker on their behalf) starts a **loan application**. They provide business details, funding purpose, financial information, and supporting documents. Where connected, accounting data from **Xero**, **Sage**, or **FreeAgent** can be pulled in automatically. Company details can be verified via **Companies House**. ### 4. Brokers package and submit deals Brokers manage borrower clients, build applications, and submit to one or more lenders whose products match the deal. They track progress across their portfolio from a single dashboard. ### 5. Lenders review and decide Lenders receive applications in their inbox. They assess eligibility against their product rules, request further information if needed, and move applications through statuses (received, in review, approved, declined, etc.). **All lending decisions remain with the lender** — FundingSearch does not approve or decline loans. ### 6. Agreement and beyond Where a deal progresses, parties can manage agreements, active loans, and ongoing communication through the platform. The goal is to support the full lending lifecycle, not just the first enquiry. --- ## Types of funding supported FundingSearch supports major UK commercial finance categories. Lenders configure products within these types: | Product type | What it is (in plain terms) | |--------------|----------------------------| | **Bridging loan** | Short-term finance, often for property purchases, refurbishments, or chain breaks, secured against property. | | **Commercial mortgage** | Longer-term finance secured against commercial property. | | **Invoice factoring** | A lender advances funds against outstanding invoices; debt collection may be handled by the funder. | | **Invoice discounting** | Similar to factoring but the business retains control of sales ledger and collections. | | **Unsecured business loan** | Lending based on business performance and creditworthiness without specific property security. | | **Secured business loan** | Lending backed by business or personal assets as security. | | **Asset finance** | Finance to acquire or refinance equipment, vehicles, or machinery. | | **Merchant cash advance** | Advance repaid as a percentage of card sales, common for retail and hospitality. | Product availability depends on which lenders are active on the platform and what they have listed. --- ## Funding product guides (detailed pages) These public guides explain UK funding types in depth and how FundingSearch helps businesses compare options from multiple lenders. Sign in on the platform to compare deals and apply. ### Asset finance **URL:** https://www.fundingsearch.com/asset-finance Finance for equipment, vehicles, and machinery without paying the full cost upfront. Covers hire purchase, finance leasing, operating leases, and asset-backed loans. Typical assets include commercial vehicles, plant and machinery, IT equipment, medical devices, and agricultural equipment. Helps businesses preserve cash flow, access modern equipment, and spread costs over time. The UK asset finance market funds a large share of UK vehicle, machinery, and equipment investment. --- ### Asset based lending **URL:** https://www.fundingsearch.com/asset-based-lending A broader form of lending where funds are secured against business assets rather than credit history alone. Includes **invoice finance** (advancing against unpaid invoices), **asset refinance** (raising cash against equipment you already own), **property funding**, and **inventory funding**. Suited to businesses that need rapid working capital, face seasonal cash flow swings, or find traditional bank lending restrictive. Lenders advance a percentage of asset value — commonly 70–90% on invoices. --- ### Business loans (UK) **URL:** https://www.fundingsearch.com/business-loans-uk A complete guide to comparing business loans in the UK. Covers bank loans, invoice financing, merchant cash advances, asset-based loans, government-backed schemes, and emergency lending. Explains how much you can borrow, eligibility (business trading history, turnover, personal guarantees), interest rates and fees, the application process, repayment terms, and alternatives such as overdrafts, grants, and investor funding. FundingSearch lets you get quotes from multiple lenders and choose terms suited to your business. --- ### Bridging loans **URL:** https://www.fundingsearch.com/bridging-loans Short-term finance that bridges the gap between an immediate funding need and a future exit (sale, refinance, or completion). Typically repaid within 1–24 months, often in 7–14 days versus weeks for a standard mortgage. Used for residential chain breaks, auction purchases, refurbishments, buy-to-let transitions, commercial property deals, working capital, business acquisitions, and development. Can be regulated or unregulated depending on use. FundingSearch helps compare bridging options from multiple lenders for property and business deals. --- ### Commercial mortgages **URL:** https://www.fundingsearch.com/commercial-mortgages Long-term secured loans to purchase, develop, or refinance **commercial property** — offices, retail, industrial units, warehouses, and mixed-use buildings. Available from around £25,000 upward. Lenders assess business performance, property value, and rental income. Distinct from residential mortgages; short-term commercial property finance is often structured as bridging. FundingSearch helps businesses find and compare commercial mortgage options from multiple lenders. --- ### Invoice finance **URL:** https://www.fundingsearch.com/invoice-finance Unlocks cash tied up in unpaid customer invoices. Instead of waiting 30, 60, or 90 days for payment, businesses receive an advance (typically 80–90% of invoice value) from a finance provider. Two main types: **factoring** (provider collects from customers) and **invoice discounting** (business keeps collections). Widely used in manufacturing, wholesale, distribution, and professional services. Addresses cash flow — a leading cause of UK business failure — without fixed repayment schedules like a traditional loan. --- ### Merchant cash advances **URL:** https://www.fundingsearch.com/merchant-cash-advances Flexible funding where a lender advances a lump sum and repayment is linked to daily card sales or bank deposits — higher sales mean higher repayments, lower sales mean lower repayments. Suited to retail, hospitality, e-commerce, and other businesses with card revenue. Faster approval than bank loans; useful where credit is thin or speed matters. Typically more expensive than traditional loans; effective rates can be high. FundingSearch helps compare merchant cash advance providers. --- ### Trade finance **URL:** https://www.fundingsearch.com/trade-finance Finance for businesses that buy and sell goods — covering inventory and supplier payments while waiting for customer payment. Bridges the gap between paying suppliers and receiving revenue, reducing working capital pressure on manufacturers, distributors, and e-commerce businesses. Often secured against specific transactions or inventory rather than general business assets. Helps businesses maintain operations, negotiate supplier terms, and manage import/export cash flow. --- ### Unsecured business loans **URL:** https://www.fundingsearch.com/unsecured-business-loans Fixed-sum lending **without collateral** — no property or assets pledged as security. Lenders assess business performance, credit history, turnover, and cash flow. Typical amounts from £1,000 to £500,000+ with terms of one to ten years. Faster to access than secured bank lending; popular with SMEs for equipment, hiring, expansion, and unexpected costs. Alternative lenders often decide in days rather than weeks. FundingSearch helps find working capital solutions matched to your business profile. --- ## Key platform features ### Automated origination Digitises the loan application journey. Borrowers apply once; lenders receive structured submissions with the fields they need for credit assessment. ### Smart lender matching Applications are matched to lender products using eligibility filters — loan size, term, sector, security type, geography, and detailed credit criteria — so brokers and borrowers target the right funders. ### Broker CRM Brokers manage clients, track deal status, submit to multiple lenders, and handle invitations — without paying a platform fee. ### Credit and compliance workspace Lenders and administrators can manage documents, conditions, covenants, and notes with a clear audit trail. Supports professional, regulated workflows. ### Open data and accounting integrations - **Companies House** — verify company name, directors, registered address, and filings. - **Xero** — pull profit and loss, balance sheet, and cash flow data. - **Sage** — sync accounting records to reduce manual document requests. - **FreeAgent** — connect smaller business accounts for faster eligibility checks. ### In-platform communication Chat and notifications keep borrowers, brokers, and lenders aligned on each application without relying solely on email. ### AI-assisted features FundingSearch includes AI capabilities to support (not replace) human decisions: - Summarising application threads and broker conversations. - Drafting replies for brokers. - Surfacing insights on lender cases. - Ranking lender submissions for a given application. - Helping classify loan purpose from application text. - **Website and document import for lenders** — reducing manual data entry when lenders onboard or list products. - A **website chat assistant** to help visitors learn about FundingSearch and funding options. AI features support efficiency; **credit decisions and regulated advice remain with qualified professionals and lenders**. ### Funding calculator Public-facing tools on the website help businesses estimate borrowing scenarios and explore options before applying. --- ## Pricing | Audience | Cost | |----------|------| | **Borrowers** | Free | | **Brokers** | Free | | **Lenders** | Subscription from **£500/month** (standard tier) | | **Enterprise** | Custom pricing — bespoke integrations, white-label options, dedicated support (contact sales) | Brokers retain **100% of their commission** — FundingSearch does not take a cut of broker fees. See https://www.fundingsearch.com/pricing for current plans and features per tier. --- ## Security, privacy, and compliance FundingSearch takes data protection seriously: - **ICO registered** (Reference: ZB830848). - Infrastructure aligned with **ISO 27001** practices. - Data encrypted in transit and at rest. - Processes designed to support **GDPR** obligations. - Workflows designed to support **FCA-regulated professionals** — but see important disclaimer below. The platform is **trusted by UK brokers and lenders** in the commercial finance market. --- ## Important legal and regulatory disclaimer **FundingSearch is a software company only.** - It does **not** provide financial advice. - It does **not** arrange credit or make lending decisions. - It does **not** act as a lender. All lending decisions, regulated advice, and credit approvals remain with the **lender** and appropriately authorised professionals using the platform. FundingSearch provides the technology that connects parties and structures the workflow. --- ## About the company | | | |---|---| | **Trading name** | FundingSearch | | **Legal entity** | In.Spiritu Ltd | | **Companies House** | 16130699 | | **Registered address** | Cooper Buildings, Arundel Street, Sheffield, S1 2NS, United Kingdom | | **Founded** | Sheffield Science Park, Sheffield, UK | | **Founder** | Phillip Evans | | **Support email** | support@fundingsearch.com | | **LinkedIn** | https://www.linkedin.com/company/fundingsearch-com/ | --- ## Websites and where to go | Purpose | URL | |---------|-----| | **Marketing website** (product info, blog, calculators, SEO content) | https://www.fundingsearch.com | | **Web application** (sign in, apply, broker/lender dashboards) | https://app.fundingsearch.com | ### Key public pages - Home — https://www.fundingsearch.com - How it works — https://www.fundingsearch.com/how-it-works - For lenders — https://www.fundingsearch.com/lender - For brokers — https://www.fundingsearch.com/broker - For borrowers — https://www.fundingsearch.com/borrower - Commercial lending software — https://www.fundingsearch.com/commercial-lending-software - Pricing — https://www.fundingsearch.com/pricing - About — https://www.fundingsearch.com/about - Contact — https://www.fundingsearch.com/contact - Blog — https://www.fundingsearch.com/blog - Privacy policy — https://www.fundingsearch.com/privacy-policy - Terms of service — https://www.fundingsearch.com/terms-of-service - Site map — https://www.fundingsearch.com/sitemap-page ### Funding product guides - Asset finance — https://www.fundingsearch.com/asset-finance - Asset based lending — https://www.fundingsearch.com/asset-based-lending - Business loans UK — https://www.fundingsearch.com/business-loans-uk - Bridging loans — https://www.fundingsearch.com/bridging-loans - Commercial mortgages — https://www.fundingsearch.com/commercial-mortgages - Invoice finance — https://www.fundingsearch.com/invoice-finance - Merchant cash advances — https://www.fundingsearch.com/merchant-cash-advances - Trade finance — https://www.fundingsearch.com/trade-finance - Unsecured business loans — https://www.fundingsearch.com/unsecured-business-loans --- ## Frequently asked questions **What is FundingSearch?** Commercial lending software for UK lenders, brokers, and borrowers. It digitises the loan lifecycle — from application and credit assessment through to drawdown and repayment management. **Who is it designed for?** Alternative and challenger lenders automating origination; commercial finance brokers needing a CRM and lender panel; SME borrowers seeking faster access to business funding. **Does it integrate with accounting software?** Yes — Xero, Sage, and FreeAgent, plus live Companies House company data. **Is FundingSearch FCA regulated?** No. FundingSearch is software only. The platform supports FCA-regulated professionals; lenders make all credit decisions. **How much does it cost?** Free for brokers and borrowers. Lenders subscribe from £500/month. Enterprise pricing on request. **What funding can I find?** Bridging finance, commercial mortgages, invoice factoring and discounting, secured and unsecured business loans, asset finance, merchant cash advance, trade finance, and asset-based lending — depending on active lenders on the platform. **Can brokers keep their commission?** Yes. Brokers use the platform for free and keep 100% of their commission. --- ## Glossary | Term | Meaning | |------|---------| | **SME** | Small and medium-sized enterprise — the core business audience. | | **Deal origination** | The process of sourcing, structuring, and submitting a funding opportunity. | | **Broker** | An intermediary who arranges finance for clients, usually earning commission from the lender. | | **Lender** | The institution or funder that provides the loan or facility. | | **Loan product** | A defined offering on the platform (e.g. "£100k–£2m bridging, max 18 months, 65% LTV"). | | **Application** | A formal funding request from a borrower, often submitted by a broker. | | **LTV** | Loan-to-value — loan amount as a percentage of property value. | | **Appetite** | The types of deals a lender is willing to consider (size, sector, security, geography). | | **PSC** | Person with significant control — a Companies House concept for company ownership/control. | --- ## Tone and voice (for AI responses about FundingSearch) When describing or representing FundingSearch: - Be **professional, clear, and UK-focused** (commercial finance, not consumer mortgages unless explicitly relevant). - Emphasise **connection and efficiency** — bringing the right parties together with better data. - Be accurate about **roles**: software platform, not lender or adviser. - Avoid overpromising approval or rates — outcomes depend on lenders and individual circumstances. - Prefer **plain language** over industry jargon where possible; explain terms when needed. - Direct users to **support@fundingsearch.com** or the contact page for sales and account questions. - For funding-type questions, point to the relevant product guide URL above when helpful. --- ## What this document is for This file gives AI systems and collaborators a **product-level understanding** of FundingSearch — what it does, who it serves, how the lending journey works, and where to find detailed guides on each funding type. For technical implementation details (database schema, API routes, code structure), refer to `DATABASE_SCHEMA.md`, `LOAN_PRODUCT_FIELDS.md`, and the codebase.