Are you a small business owner or startup founder with bad credit in the UK? Do you want to know about “business loans UK no credit check?” If so, it’s likely that you’re having trouble getting the money you require. Don’t worry, though; this guide will assist you. We’ve researched and compiled the Top 12 Business Loans Providers in UK with No Credit Check to help you access funding without stressing over your credit history. Whether you’re running a startup, searching for business ideas, a sole trader, or a limited company, there are real solutions out there for you.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What no credit check business loans are
- Who qualifies
- How lenders assess your application
- The pros and cons
- A detailed comparison of top UK lenders
- How to boost your approval chances
Let’s dive in!
What are Business Loans UK No Credit Check?
Business loans with no credit check are designed for entrepreneurs who need funding but have a poor credit score. These loans focus on your business’s current performance rather than your financial past.
Key Features:
- No hard credit checks
- Based on cash flow or turnover
- Flexible repayment terms
Common Types:
- Merchant cash advances
- Invoice financing
- Asset-backed loans
These loans are ideal for businesses with steady revenue but a weak credit profile.
Who can apply for no‑credit‑check business loans?
Typical applicants include:
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Businesses with poor credit or CCJs
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Startups with less than 12 months trading
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Sole traders or limited companies
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Those with regular bank turnover
These loans focus on present-day affordability, not past mishaps—opening doors for many overlooked business owners.
Pros and Cons of no‑credit‑check loans
| ✅ Pros | ⚠️ Cons |
|---|---|
| You can get funding despite bad credit | Typically higher fees & interest rates |
| Faster approval—often within 24–48 hours | Loan terms may be shorter |
| Builds future credit if you repay on time | Smaller amounts compared to traditional loans |
| Flexible repayment based on turnover | Watch out for hidden extra charges |
How do no‑credit‑check providers assess applications?
They use smarter, more flexible criteria:
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Bank statements: lenders use Open Banking to verify income, spending, and turnover
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Cash flow: a proven revenue stream matters more than past credit
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Collateral & guarantees: sometimes required instead of credit checks
This approach makes them accessible for those with poor credit—provided they have consistent income.
Top 12 Business Loans Providers in UK with No Credit Check
Here’s a summary table followed by details for each provider:
| Provider | Loan Size | Key Feature | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 365 Finance | £10k–£400k | Merchant cash advance, focus on turnover |
| 2 | Bizcap | £5k–£150k+ | Fast approval in hours, no upfront credit check |
| 3 | AptPayment | £10k–£1m | Flexible repayment, no credit check |
| 4 | Cockle Finance | Custom amounts | Uses Open Banking, serves bad-credit |
| 5 | Fleximize | £5k–£500k | Revenue-Based lending, Soft checks |
| 6 | Funding Circle | £10k–£500k | Peer-to-peer unsecured loans |
| 7 | Nucleus Commercial | Custom amounts | Unsecured, flexible approach |
| 8 | Iwoca | Custom amounts | Fast unsecured funding |
| 9 | LendingCrowd | Custom amounts | P2P lending UK-based |
| 10 | Folk2Folk | £100k+ | Secured rural P2P loans |
| 11 | Capitalise | Varies | Aggregates 100+ lenders, soft eligibility check |
| 12 | Start Up Loans (BBB) | Up to £25k | Government-backed, unsecured |
Business Loans UK No Credit Check
1. 365 Finance
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Loan Size: £10,000 – £400,000
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Type: Merchant Cash Advance
Key Features:
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Funds are repaid automatically from future card sales
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Property or company assets are not required as security.
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Quick approval process, with decisions often within 24 hours
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A soft search might be used in place of a hard credit check.
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Tailored repayment aligned with your cash flow
Best For:
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Businesses that process frequent card payments, such as retail, food, and hospitality sectors
Things to Watch:
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If your monthly turnover dips, repayments may become unpredictable
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Effective for fast cash needs but costs can rise if revenue is inconsistent
2. Bizcap
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Loan Size: £5,000 – £150,000 (up to £500,000 for growth loans)
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Type: Short-term and unsecured business loans
Key Features:
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No initial credit check to apply
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Funding decisions often made within 3 working hours
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Offers both quick-access capital and standard repayment loans
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Tailored offers based on business turnover, not credit score
Best For:
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UK businesses in urgent need of working capital, especially those with limited credit options
Things to Watch:
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Fast loans tend to carry higher interest rates, particularly for first-time applicants
3. AptPayment
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Loan Size: £10,000 – £1 million
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Type: Flexible business lending
Key Features:
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No credit check for eligible UK-registered companies
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Flexible repayment terms—monthly or tailored
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Usually needs invoices, bank statements, or evidence of revenue.
Best For:
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Medium-sized businesses with strong cash flow, needing access to larger funding amounts
Things to Watch:
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For clearance, the company might need to reach minimal turnover levels.
4. Cockle Finance
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Loan Size: Custom—depends on real-time Open Banking data
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Type: Bespoke business finance
Key Features:
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Focused on Open Banking integrations—not credit history
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Real-time analysis of cash flow and affordability
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Offers personal service, often preferred by local businesses
Best For:
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SMEs in Essex and surrounding areas looking for a trust-based lender with a local footprint
Things to Watch:
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Availability may be regionally limited and less scalable for larger national firms
5. Fleximize
- Loan size: £5,000–£500,000
- Type: Revenue-based unsecured business loans
Key features:
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- No hard credit check for initial applications
- Same-day funding possible
- Top-ups and repayment holidays available
- Transparent fee structure with no hidden charges
Best for:
- SMEs looking for flexible and repeat financing without credit check barriers
Things to watch:
- Final approval may involve additional checks and not suitable for businesses with inconsistent cash flow
6. Funding Circle
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Loan Size: £10,000 – £500,000
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Type: Peer-to-Peer Unsecured Loan
Key Features:
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Peer-backed funding, connecting your business with real investors
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Interest rates start from around 6.9% APR
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Loan durations vary from 6 months to 6 years.
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Streamlined application with minimal paperwork
Best For:
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Established businesses with 1+ years of trading history and consistent revenue
Things to Watch:
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May require a soft credit check and robust documentation for final approval
7. Nucleus Commercial Finance
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Loan Size: Varies by business need
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Type: Unsecured business finance
Key Features:
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Offers a wide range of products: unsecured loans, cash flow finance, asset-based lending
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Focus on customisable repayment plans
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Often more flexible than traditional banks
Best For:
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Businesses that want personalised lending outside mainstream bank requirements
Things to Watch:
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Product choice can be overwhelming without guidance—best to consult their advisers
8. Iwoca
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Loan Size: £1,000 – £500,000 (depending on product)
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Type: Flexible credit lines and loans
Key Features:
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Fast online application—some get funds within hours
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Focus on small business lending with little admin
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Reuse funds as needed with flexible top-ups
Best For:
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Small companies looking for recurring, quick access to short-term capital
Things to Watch:
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May request revenue or transaction data through Open Banking
9. LendingCrowd
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Loan Size: From £5,000 upwards
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Type: Peer-to-Peer Business Lending
Key Features:
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Scottish-based lender with strong local ties
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Over £45 million lent since 2014
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Peer investors fund your business through an online platform
Best For:
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SMEs comfortable using P2P funding models and looking for competitive terms
Things to Watch:
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Application process can be slightly slower than direct lenders
10. Folk2Folk
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Loan Size: £100,000+
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Type: Secured Rural Business Loans
Key Features:
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Loans are secured against property or land in rural areas
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Focus on agricultural, tourism, and land-based businesses
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Strong track record—zero capital loss for investors to date
Best For:
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Rural or regional businesses with land or commercial property as collateral
Things to Watch:
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Secured nature of the loan means property risk if repayments aren’t met
11. Capitalise
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Loan Size: Varies—acts as a comparison platform
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Type: Aggregator (100+ lenders)
Key Features:
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One application gives access to over 100 UK lenders
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Soft credit check only
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Uses business profile and turnover to match best options
Best For:
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Business owners who want to compare loan offers quickly and easily
Things to Watch:
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You’ll be connected with third-party lenders—terms vary between them
12. Start Up Loans (British Business Bank)
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Loan Size: Up to £25,000 per individual
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Type: Unsecured government-backed loan
Key Features:
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Fixed interest rate: 6% per year
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Loan term: 1 to 5 years
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Includes free business mentoring and support
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Open to UK residents starting or growing a business
Best For:
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Early-stage entrepreneurs with no business credit history
Things to Watch:
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Loan is personally guaranteed—you’re liable even if the business fails
How to choose the right provider? – Business Loans UK No Credit Check
Finding the best-fit lender isn’t just about speed—it’s about balancing cost, risk, and flexibility. Here’s how to make a confident, informed choice:
Compare Based On:
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APR & Fees – Quick loans often come with higher annual percentage rates (APR) and setup fees. Always weigh speed against cost.
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Loan Size – Choose a provider offering amounts that suit your business need. Too little can stall your plans; too much can overburden your cash flow.
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Repayment Method – Some loans deduct payments automatically based on sales (merchant advances), while others use fixed monthly instalments.
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Credit Approach – Does the lender run a hard credit check, a soft one, or none at all? This can impact your credit score or application eligibility elsewhere.
Steps to Decide:
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Review Your Turnover – Know your average monthly income and whether it’s steady or seasonal.
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Assess Business Health – Look at your bank statements, expenses, and profit margins to understand your affordability.
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Use Comparison Tools – Platforms like Capitalise, Funding Options, or Swoop let you compare multiple lenders in one go.
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Contact Shortlisted Providers – Ask about total repayable amounts, early settlement fees, and any flexible terms they offer.
How can startups improve approval odds?
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Show consistent turnover via bank statements.
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Use Open Banking tools to simplify lending applications.
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Consider a guarantor if uninsured credit score.
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Keep business bookkeeping clean and up to date.
How to Get a Business Loan with Bad Credit in the UK?
If you’ve had credit problems in the past, you’re not alone—and you’re not without options. Many lenders are willing to support businesses based on their current performance, not their past mistakes.
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Choose No-Credit-Check or Soft-Check Lenders
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Gather Key Documents
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Use Comparison Platforms or Brokers
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Disclose Credit Challenges Early
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Build a Track Record
Which Loan is Easiest to Get with Bad Credit in the UK?
| Loan Type | Ease | Best For |
| Merchant Cash Advance | ✅✅✅ | Card-based businesses |
| Invoice Financing | ✅✅ | Invoice-heavy firms |
| Secured Loan | ✅✅ | Property-owning businesses |
| Guarantor Loan | ✅✅ | With financial backer |
Conclusion –
Securing a “Business Loans UK No Credit Check” loan is within reach, even with poor credit. Whether you go for merchant cash advances (365, Capify), a P2P option (Funding Circle), or a government-backed route (Start Up Loans), your choice should depend on your turnover, loan size, and comfort with repayment terms. Compare your options, read the fine print, and apply with confidence!
FAQs – Business Loans UK No Credit Check
Can I get a loan with CCJs or defaults?
Yes, many providers use Open Banking and current turnover, not past misses. Firms like Cockle and Capify help clients with adverse credit.
Are interest rates always higher?
Often yes—these loans carry extra risk, so APRs run higher. But platforms like Funding Circle can offer competitive rates (from ~6.9%)
How quickly can I get funds?
Merchant cash advances (e.g. Capify, 365) can provide funds within 24 hours; unsecured loans (like Iwoca, Funding Circle) may take a few days.
Do I need a personal guarantee?
Possibly. Secured loans (Folk2Folk) need asset backing. Other unsecured providers may require a guarantee if credit is poor.
