Business Partners Funding includes customised financial solutions, as well as sectoral knowledge, mentorship, business premises and other value added services for formal small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa and selected African countries, namely Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia, as Business Partners Limited is a specialist risk finance company.
Research has proven that entrepreneurial SMEs are very effective at stimulating economic growth, generating wealth and creating jobs – all of which are required for this company to successfully 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:
It is based on a set of important factors including product/service, market size, company history, stage of business development and technical aspects and the entrepreneur’s drive, experience and integrity. Online applications for financing for up to R25 million are considered. The applying business must have gross assets under R100 million, with annual turnover being lower than R200 million and the staff number being under 500 people. Businesses from most sectors of the economy can 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
This fund caters to entrepreneurs
with a viable business who want to refinance or purchase their own premises,
but may have limited capital or security to contribute, or may not want to
compromise the business’ cash resources for the deposit. Business Partners
allow the entrepreneur a choice of different financing options and are able to
structure the deal by advancing up to 110% of the financing required, subject
to terms and conditions.
7. Property Joint Venture Fund
For entrepreneurs
looking to add a property component to their investment portfolio,
multi-tenanted properties are attractive and viable options, as they provide
both capital appreciation and a rental income.
Business Partners co-invest in multi-tenanted property
projects mainly in two instances. Firstly, when a potential investor is unable
or unwilling to invest the full deposit (equity) required by a commercial
lending institution. Secondly, where a viable property investment has been
over-geared and needs a restructuring of the existing debt, converting debt
finance to equity finance.
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.
