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Funding Resources2024-10-15T09:19:33+02:00

Funding Resources

This Funding Resources page provides a number of different resources ranging across different aspects of business. The intention is to provide SMEs and Entrepreneurs with real-world application resources, materials and guides on key aspects and topics of their business, so that they can grow and consequently become viable companies that funders and independent financiers would take seriously.

In order for a SME to achieve the funding that they so vitally need – the company needs to be a solid investment that a funder can take seriously, believe in, and practically see how the loan or investment would be paid back or serviced. At this point the solidity of the business will be looked at. Does it have a clear sales strategy? How does its marketing work? Does the business owner have all the people they need?

A recent question from our Live Q&A: Strategy & Funding for SMEs (4min):

“What do funders expect you to have a VERY good understanding of when applying?”

Advice from a funder …

A few FAQs …

We do not serve start-ups, micro or lifestyle businesses.

We finance small to mid-sized business in operation for 3 or more years.

  • minimum finance amount from R1M
  • minimum R10M annual turnover
  • alternatively, R5M to R10M annual turnover, if there is a growth context [e.g. a contract, project or large PO]

Depending on your unique situation, Spartan can help by crafting a finance option tailored to your exact requirements and needs.

Such as:

Our minimum finance amount is R1M and upwards. Some of our finance facilities can be structured with multiple phases &/or as revolving facilities, where appropriate.

  • Bridging Finance: 1-3 months
  • Working Capital Finance: 1-3 months or 6-12 months
  • Growth Finance: 12-60 months
  • Specialised Asset Finance: 12-60 months

Our application process is designed to get you from application-to-payout swiftly. We work together to make that possible. We can only move as fast as you.

  • we focus exclusively on South African SME’s
  • if your business is based in South Africa but also operates outside of South Africa then we may be able to finance you

Spartan is strictly focused on Small & Growing Businesses … this is who we finance. We’re 100% committed to only helping SMEs grow. It’s in our DNA. It’s in our processes. It’s in the way we engage.

We do not serve start-ups, micro or lifestyle businesses.

We believe we can make a greater impact by financing Small & Growing Businesses. They are defined as commercially viable businesses that have significant potential for growth.

  • Spartan finances in a no/low collateral context, with an approx 5-10 day turnaround
  • therefore we supplement your bank rather than substitute it
  • our pricing is relative to the above
  • however, against usual secured overdraft rates – our costing is reasonable
  • we adopt a structured/customised approach to funding SMEs
  • we supplement a bank we do not substitute a bank
  • this means our clients utilise the banks for their traditional/vanilla finance needs & Spartan supplements this for their specialised/growth needs
  • your bank will typically require a higher degree & higher quality of collateral where Spartan as an alternative funder focuses more on backing an entrepreneur
  • Spartan’s application process is geared towards specialised & complex funding needs

Documents we require include:

  • online or offline finance application
  • historical financial information (for Spartan to assess business retrospectively) – this includes AFS/Management accounts and Bank account details/statements
  • business owners personal assets – we do secured and unsecured lending, this helps us with our risk mitigation

Why no business plan? We believe in meeting with the entrepreneur in order to understand the business holistically – from their perspective.

  • With Spartan you can sign all our docs online, on your mobile – wherever you are in the world
  • It is completely safe and legal
  • We make use of a top tier service that enables quick, easy and safe e-signing
  • find out more about our e-signing safety here
  • find out how to e-sign here
  • we define collateral as a tangible asset, with a liquid, secondary market [e.g. property]
  • we define security as a legal instrument that provides some comfort [e.g. cession of debtors]
  • depending on the nature and context of the financing required we will often require some form of collateral/security however
  • as an alternative financier we also try to give consideration to the needs of the business and its context
  • in certain cases security/collateral can take forms more relevant to purchase orders and contracts

Whilst we finance Small & Growing Businesses across all industries – we find that the businesses in the following segments tend to get significant benefit from our niche finance offerings:

  • manufacturing
  • construction
  • engineering
  • tech businesses
  • education
  • healthcare
  • business services
  • professional services firms
  • project related businesses
  • contract related businesses
  • digital media
  • agribusiness

It’s both our philosophy & policy not to finance businesses that negatively impact People and Planet.

  • Production or trade in any product or activity deemed illegal under host country laws or regulations or international conventions and agreements, or subject to international bans, such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides/herbicides, ozone depleting substances, PCB’s, wildlife or products regulated under CITES.
  • Production or trade in weapons and munitions.
  • Production or trade in alcoholic beverages (excluding beer and wine) (Primary).
  • Production or trade in tobacco (Primary).
  • Gambling, casinos and equivalent enterprises (Primary).
  • Production or trade in radioactive materials.
  • Production or trade in unbounded asbestos fibres.
  • Drift net fishing in the marine environment using nets in excess of 2.5 km. in length.
  • Production or activities involving harmful or exploitative forms of forced labour/harmful child labour.
  • Commercial logging operations for use in primary tropical moist forest.
  • Production or trade in wood or other forestry products other than from sustainably managed forests.
  • Industries related to pornography

Radio Resources

Radio 702

The Money Show with Bruce Whitfield

The paradox of the SME sector …

Length: 22:11

Classic FM

Classic Business with Michael Avery

What does 2020 have in store for the SME sector …

Length: 08:17

CapeTalk

Today with Kieno Kammies

Is there a future for the unemployed?

Length: 13:46

TV Resources

BBC Africa

Different perspectives of funders and lenders …

Length: 12:50

ENCA

The future of SMEs in South Africa …

Length: 4:40

Big Small Business Show on Business Day TV

“The Big Small Business Show aims to give viewers practical and down-to-earth business advice. The programme is tailor-made for entrepreneurs, giving great insight and tips to those who want to grow their ventures, as well as those who wanting to take the step towards entrepreneurship.” – Big Small Business Show Website

Our CEO Kumaran Padayachee often appears as a guest on the Big Small Business Show together with the show’s host Allon Raiz – the two of whom often have robust and colourful debates around SMEs and the different approaches to strategy and business.

DSTV Channel 412 Broadcast Times
Mon 21:30 | Tues 10:30 & 14:00 | Wed 14:00 | Thurs 10:00 | Fri 18:30 | Sat 18:00 | Sun 18:00

Article Resources

For Financing that backs Entrepreneurs.

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