Business Partners Funding offers customised financial solutions, sector expertise, mentorship, business premises, and other value-added services for SMEs.
Research shows that entrepreneurial SMEs effectively stimulate economic growth, generate wealth, and create jobs, helping combat unemployment and poverty.
Business Partners
Entrepreneurs almost always work against the grain, often challenging conformity, because they see the world through fresh eyes. Where others see problems and challenges, they see opportunities and turn them into solutions. They share an unwavering belief in their abilities and skills to solve problems while fulfilling societal needs. Statistics show that only one
in a handful of people possesses the qualities to be an entrepreneur.
Business Partners recognise the need for more entrepreneurs and exist to fulfill their needs and requirements, exclusively in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector. They are passionate about entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial development.
Their strength lies in their ability to tailour-make their service offerings to suit each entrepreneur’s unique needs, thus becoming the best unofficial business partner. By always facilitating finance opportunities, sharing knowledge and being entrepreneurial in our approach, Business Partners are always contributing to building entrepreneurs.
Business Partners Funding Solutions include:
The evaluation process is based on important factors including product or service quality, market size, company history, and stage of business development.
Technical aspects of the business are also assessed together with the entrepreneur’s drive, experience, leadership ability, and overall professional integrity.
Furthermore, online applications for financing of up to R25 million are accepted from qualifying businesses seeking investment support.
However, the applying business must have gross assets valued at less than R100 million to meet eligibility requirements.
In addition, the company’s annual turnover must remain below R200 million to qualify for consideration under the funding criteria.
Finally, the business must employ fewer than 500 staff members, although companies from most sectors of the economy may apply.
1. General finance
All funding is considered for all entrepreneurs who have a
viable formal business and who require financing for expansion, working
capital, equipment, takeovers, or management buy-outs. The most important
criteria looked at are the skills, experience and industry knowledge of the
entrepreneur (or entrepreneurs), and the market need for the business’ products
or services.
2. Brands and Franchise Fund
The franchise industry contributes approximately 11.6% to
the total GDP of the country and forms a significant part of the country’s
overall economy. This fund affords opportunities to existing and aspiring
entrepreneurs to own and expand their franchises through finance and
mentorship.
3. Education SME Fund
Through the Education SME Fund, Business Partners aim to
assist in alleviating this challenge by providing existing and aspiring
entrepreneurs in this industry with finance and support to start or expand
education facilities. The objective of this fund is to provide finance and
mentorship to for-profit enterprises that are in the business of knowledge and
skills transfer across all industries.
4. Green Fund
The Green Fund is aimed at financing and supporting
sustainable businesses and projects which seek to positively impact on the
environment and simultaneously create wealth and jobs. The company finances
businesses which actively develop, manufacture and provide goods and services
aimed at ‘saving the planet’, as well as those businesses that are implementing
measures and/or technology which reduce their adverse impact on the
environment.
5. Manufacturing Fund
The Manufacturing Fund aims to
deliver finance in a commercially sustainable manner that is specifically
targeted to meet the financing and developmental needs of SMEs within this
sector.
6. Property Fund
Furthermore, this fund caters to entrepreneurs with viable businesses who want to refinance or purchase their own premises. However, they may have limited capital or insufficient security to contribute. Alternatively, they may prefer not to use the business’s cash resources for the required deposit.
In addition, Business Partners Limited offers entrepreneurs a range of financing options. Consequently, the deal can be structured by advancing up to 110% of the required financing, subject to specific terms and conditions.
7. Property Joint Venture Fund
For entrepreneurs looking to add a property component to their investment portfolio, multi-tenanted properties present attractive and viable investment opportunities. Furthermore, these properties provide both capital appreciation and a stable rental income.
In addition, Business Partners Limited co-invests in multi-tenanted property projects under specific circumstances. Firstly, co-investment occurs when a potential investor cannot or prefers not to invest the full deposit required by a commercial lending institution. Secondly, co-investment may also occur when a viable property investment becomes over-geared and requires restructuring. Consequently, existing debt can be converted into equity finance to improve the financial structure of the project.
8. Venture Fund
The company recognises the potential
benefit that innovative and high-risk growth enterprises can bring to the
country, and it is for this reason that the Venture Fund is aimed at financing
high impact entrepreneurs.
9. Women in Business Fund
The Women in Business Fund
aims to afford women entrepreneurs a fair and equal opportunity to start,
expand or purchase an existing business.
It aims to:
- Increase
access to finance for women entrepreneurs; - Invest
in commercially viable women-owned businesses; - Facilitate
the growth and expansion of women-owned businesses; - Contribute
towards an increase in the number of successful women entrepreneurs and
inspire young females to choose entrepreneurship; - Facilitate
the creation of new jobs.
Female entrepreneurs financed through the Women in Business
Fund are supported with additional value added services:
- Female
investment team to support with application process; - Access
to information and networking opportunities; - Access
to a web-based library and electronic newsletters; - Peer
mentorship and networking; - Workshops
and seminars; - Once
off free individual membership to an approved business women organisation
to the value of R1 000; - A
technical assistance grant of up to R25 000 and a further R35 000
interest-free loan for technical assistance, should it be required; - Access
to dedicated industry specific mentors.
Contact us for more information on Business Partners Funding.
