Amazon and YouLend Launch flexible financing programme for UK SMBs
Amazon has launched a flexible financing programme that gives businesses access to funding linked to their sales, allowing them to repay as they earn. A merchant cash advance, delivered in collaboration with leading financing provider YouLend will provide a new flexible financing option for eligible UK-based businesses selling on Amazon.co.uk, which provides greater cash flow flexibility in addition to the fixed-term business loans already offered by Amazon Lending.
The new revenue-based financing model means that merchants can grow their businesses and build-out inventory, secure new equipment or ramp-up their marketing with the assurance of transparent and capped rates as well as repayment based on current sales. The product is simple to apply for and accessible within days and does not have fixed terms or late fees.
The new financing option from YouLend, who has provided over 100,000 fast, flexible financing solutions to small and medium businesses, will offer even greater flexibility. Businesses can apply for funding from £500 up to £2m, depending on affordability through their existing Amazon UK business accounts without completing any lengthy paperwork. Once accepted, sellers pay a single fixed fee with repayments tied to a percentage of their future sales on Amazon. Repayment is only required when sellers make sales, protecting them during quieter periods.
More than 100,000 UK small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and brands sell on Amazon, and we are committed to building a community that offers opportunities for these businesses to grow. As part of that commitment, Amazon Lending will now be able to offer businesses a greater variety of financing solutions to suit their needs, whether they require greater flexibility or a fixed-term working capital loan.
“We’ve heard from Amazon sellers in the UK how much they value fast, flexible, and accessible funding, which is why we’re excited to announce a merchant cash advance that expands our range of funding options for Amazon sellers,” said Samarth Gogia, GM B2B Payments & Lending. “In collaboration with YouLend, this new option will allow sellers to increase their cashflow with confidence, allowing them to make repayments based on how their business is performing.”
“Supporting businesses is core to YouLend’s mission. That’s why we are pleased to partner with Amazon to support the growth of their sellers by providing fast, flexible, and affordable financing,” commented Jakob Pethick, chief commercial officer of YouLend. “Amazon sellers will now be able to access revenue-based financing from YouLend to thrive and grow.”
“Most traditional bank lenders have tightened their commercial loan standards, making it more difficult for small businesses to obtain working capital that is absolutely critical for them to operate successfully, ” said Raymond Pucci, research director of Worldwide Consumer and Small Business Lending at International Data Corp (IDC).” The new Amazon and YouLend merchant cash advance program provides small and medium businesses with an alternative means of credit that is fast, convenient, and flexible. This new funding source will be valuable for a wide range of businesses, especially startups and those that do not qualify for a standard term loan.”
Businesses require a minimum of three months’ trading history on Amazon before they are eligible to apply. Amazon acts as a broker presenting merchant cash advance offers to sellers via Seller Central, where sellers can check their eligibility and offers, which are submitted to YouLend for verification and approval.