Get ready to apply

Each checklist brings together what lenders, investors and schemes of one type usually ask for. The items asked for most come first. Tick what you already have to see a readiness score and what to prepare next, then download or print the list.

Your ticks stay in this browser, in the page address after the # sign, and nothing is stored. Privacy. Each route page also has its own checklist.

Check your company's public record and whether a provider is authorised →

• Own cash and no-costMoney you can free up inside the business, such as getting paid faster or paying suppliers later.15 items · 4 routes
• Grants, tax reliefs and prizesMoney from government and other bodies that you do not pay back, including tax reliefs and credits.19 items · 5 routes
• Government-backed and community lendingLoans and investment backed or run by public bodies or community lenders, often aimed at businesses that banks turn down.22 items · 9 routes
• Supplier and buyer-led financeFinance arranged through the businesses you buy from or sell to.3 items · 1 route
• Bank and mainstream debtLoans, overdrafts, credit cards and asset finance from banks and other mainstream lenders.13 items · 7 routes
• Asset-based and specialist lendingBorrowing secured on specific assets such as unpaid invoices, stock or equipment, plus specialist debt for growing companies.21 items · 8 routes
• Alternative and fast debtNewer and faster forms of borrowing, often online, usually costing more than bank lending.16 items · 7 routes
• Crowdfunding and community financeRaising money from many people at once, in return for rewards, shares, interest or nothing at all.15 items · 4 routes
• Private equity investmentSelling shares in your company to private investors, from friends and family to venture capital and private equity firms.23 items · 8 routes
• Public and quasi-public marketsRaising money by offering shares or bonds on a stock market or trading platform.15 items · 5 routes
• Hybrid instrumentsInstruments that start as one thing and may become another, such as loans that convert into shares.7 items · 2 routes
• Tokens and digital assetsRaising money by creating and selling cryptoassets or tokenised securities, usually through online exchanges.7 items · 2 routes