Compare the Market partners with Swoop Funding to enhance SME access to finance

Swoop Funding, the leading financial platform that streamlines access to business funding, is proud to announce its new partnership with Compare the Market, one of the UK’s leading comparison websites. This collaboration aims to provide UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with even greater access to the diverse range of funding products to help them thrive in today’s economic environment.

In 2023 SMEs accounted for over 99% of the business population, however, despite their significance, many SMEs continue to face substantial barriers when it comes to securing the finance they need. A 2023 report by the British Business Bank revealed that 32% of SMEs found it difficult to obtain external financing, with many citing a lack of awareness about available options as a major obstacle.

The new partnership between Swoop Funding and Compare the Market directly addresses this challenge. By integrating Swoop’s advanced funding platform with Compare the Market’s extensive reach and user-friendly interface, SMEs will now have easier access to a wide range of financing options. This collaboration is particularly timely given that an estimated 45% of SMEs in UK are unaware of the full range of funding options available to them, according to the Federation of Small Businesses.

“UK SMEs are the lifeblood of our economy, but too often they struggle to find the right funding to support their growth,” said Andrea Reynolds, CEO of Swoop Funding. “Our partnership with Compare the Market is designed to remove these barriers by providing a simple, one-stop solution where SMEs can compare and access financial products tailored to their specific needs. Together, we are committed to empowering SMEs to navigate the financial landscape with confidence.”

The partnership will also tap into the growing trend of alternative finance, which is expected to reach approximately £14bn in 2024. This surge underscores the importance of making non-traditional financing options more accessible, one of this partnership’s key goals.

Bez Arbabzadah, chief financial officer at Compare the Market, commented, “At Compare the Market, our purpose is to make great financial decision making a breeze for everyone. By partnering with Swoop Funding, we are enhancing our customer offering to deliver helpful and important financial solutions to the businesses that need them most. We hope that this partnership will help SMEs thrive and enable them to seize new opportunities for growth.”