UK SMEs gain millions in funding through Cashflows Advance
Cashflows, the platform that makes it easy for businesses to accept payments, has achieved a surge in demand for its flexible, pre-approved business funding product, Cashflows Advance. The product has delivered millions in funding to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in less than 18 months.
The product, created in partnership with Recap, offers merchants a pre-approved cash advance based on sales data. This eliminates lengthy application processes and delivers funding to merchants when they need it most. Repayment is based on a fixed percentage of a merchant’s daily sales, meaning that during slower business periods, repayments are lower. In the current turbulent economic environment, Cashflows Advance is providing crucial funding to businesses in a way that works for them. The product bypasses the red tape of traditional lending and delivers to merchants the cash they need, often – on the very same day as the application.
“Businesses must be able to access the funding they need, when they need it,” said Paul Clarke, chief growth officer at Cashflows. “Cashflows Advance empowers SMEs with a funding solution that’s aligned with their trading activity, offering unmatched flexibility and speed.”
To date, hundreds of advances have been disbursed, with an impressive retention rate of nearly 80%, showing strong merchant satisfaction and sustained value. The solution is proving especially vital in sectors like food & beverage and e-commerce, with standout growth stories including:
- A merchant that achieved 646% revenue growth and an 813% increase in transaction count within six months of their first advance.
- A food & beverage business that used funding to expand capacity, recording 22% revenue growth over the same period.
“This partnership is a powerful example of embedded funding in action,” said Jonathan Field, managing director at Recap. “We’re particularly encouraged by the wide adoption across diverse industries and the number of merchants coming back for additional funding. It’s clear they see this as a vital tool for scaling their businesses.”
Cashflows Advance stands apart by offering pre-approved funding based on transaction data, eliminating the need for complex applications or collateral. Merchants retain control over how much they borrow, and repayments flex in line with daily sales – reducing financial strain during quieter periods. Its key features include:
- Ease of application: Merchants can become eligible for Cashflows Advance with as little as just one month of Cashflows transaction data.
- Flexibility: Merchants make repayments as they trade. Advance amounts and repayment percentages are linked to sales so repayments are directly linked to their current performance.
- Instant Funding: The application process takes a matter of minutes, and advances are paid out the same day – no long waiting time
- Removes Rejection Anxiety: Cashflows Advance is pre-approved, unlike traditional loans, eliminating rejection anxiety for small businesses.
With hundreds of merchants funded, the partnership is helping UK SMEs invest in stock, marketing, operations and general growth. In one case, a heat seal business used an advance to fulfil a surge in new orders – an opportunity they would’ve otherwise missed.
As the UK’s SMEs continue to navigate a challenging macroeconomic environment, Cashflows is setting a new standard for simple, responsive, and scalable funding solutions designed for real business needs.