SME Funded has been designed as a one-stop solution, connecting business owners with more than 130 lenders alongside its own deployed capital. The platform claims to offer faster, more flexible funding options in a market where traditional finance routes often fall short of meeting the needs of growing companies.

Founded by construction mergers and acquisitions expert Bradley Lay, SME Funded seeks to remove the friction from securing finance by combining deep sector expertise with a streamlined, hands-on approach.

Mr Lay said: “SMEs are the backbone of the UK economy, yet when it comes to finance, they’re often underserved. Traditional lenders are slow, restrictive and risk averse. When businesses are growing, they hold them back and when they’re under pressure, they step away.

“We built SME Funded to change that. This is about giving business owners real access to capital, quickly, intelligently and without unnecessary barriers.”

SME Funded offers a range of funding solutions tailored specifically to the needs of construction and manufacturing businesses. These include business loans, asset finance, equipment finance, bridging and property finance, motor finance and software finance.

Each solution is structured around the individual business, with a focus on supporting growth, unlocking working capital and helping companies navigate difficult trading conditions.

SME Funded takes what it describes as a “white-glove” approach, working closely with clients from initial application through to funding. The team structures deals and positions businesses effectively to secure the best possible outcomes, drawing on access to its network of lenders and proprietary capital to deliver funding at pace.

The company has developed a streamlined three-step process, enabling business owners to apply quickly, receive a rapid assessment and access funds efficiently. The goal is to ensure finance does not become a bottleneck to growth.

Having worked with more than 600 UK business owners, the team behind SME Funded has gained first-hand insight into the challenges SMEs face when seeking finance.

A spokesperson for the firm said: “Too many strong businesses are held back by slow processes, rigid criteria and a lack of understanding from traditional lenders. We’ve built SME Funded to work in the real world, moving at the pace business owners need, and delivering solutions that actually fit their situation.

“Our role goes beyond simply finding a lender. We structure funding properly, tell the right story and manage the entire process, so our clients can focus on running and growing their business.”

Mr Lay brings extensive experience across corporate finance and construction, having played a key role in scaling a business from £12 million to over £150m in revenue before a successful exit in 2022. As co-founder of Peak Capital Group and founder of TrueNorth Capital Group, he has led strategic acquisitions across UK and European construction markets and advised more than 100 SME owners on growth, financial strategy and exit planning.