IQ Finance FAQs

We arrange business finance for UK companies investing in technology, equipment and growth projects. That includes IT hardware, software and services, machinery and equipment, physical security and related systems, green energy installations, and full technology projects that combine multiple asset categories. We work with limited companies, LLPs and PLCs from £5,000 single-asset deals to £25 million multi-stage projects.

We arrange business finance from £5,000 to £25 million, with terms typically from 12 to 60 months. Selected longer-life assets may be considered over longer terms, subject to funder criteria. The right amount and term depend on the asset, your business profile, and the funder we place with — we'll size it with you.

No. We run a soft credit search on the business via Creditsafe to size up your indicative options. A soft search does not affect your business or personal credit rating, and it isn't visible to other lenders. A formal credit footprint only happens if you proceed with a chosen funder and they run their own underwriting — and we'll always tell you before that point.

For most deals we'll need: your latest filed accounts, a few months of recent bank statements, and details of the asset or project you're financing (supplier quote, scope, timeline). For larger or more complex deals, funders may also ask for management accounts, aged debtor/creditor reports, or director ID. We'll tell you exactly what's needed once we've matched you to a funder — no chasing paperwork you don't need.

Most cases start with an indicative review before full underwriting. Timelines depend on deal size, documentation, funder criteria and project complexity.

It depends on the funder, the deal size, and the strength of the business. Many established trading businesses can secure finance without personal guarantees, particularly on smaller asset deals. For newer companies, larger deals, or higher-risk profiles, a director's personal guarantee may be required. We'll always tell you up front if a funder is asking for one, and explore alternatives across our panel where possible.

That depends on the product. With a finance lease, you typically have end-of-term options such as continuing use for a nominal rental, upgrading to newer equipment, or discussing sale options in line with funder terms. With operating leases (common for technology refresh cycles), assets are returned and replaced under a new agreement. We'll structure the end-of-term approach around how long the asset genuinely delivers value for you.

Yes. Software and service-led projects can often be considered, either standalone or alongside hardware, where project scope and business use are clear. Finance Lease and Loan options may be available, subject to suitability and underwriting.

Rates are set by the funder we place your deal with, not by us, and they vary based on asset type, term, deal size and business profile. We match each case to funders whose appetite and pricing fit the project.

Yes — start-ups and growth-stage businesses are a regular part of what we do, particularly for technology investments where the asset itself is part of the business case. Funder appetite for early-stage companies is more limited than for established trading businesses, and personal guarantees or director support may be more common, but we work with funders who specifically underwrite VC-backed and growth-stage deals. We'll be upfront about what's realistic for your stage and profile.

Your finance estimate is generated from a soft Creditsafe search and your project details — it's a realistic starting point, not a final offer. From there, one of our specialists reviews the deal, matches it to the right funder on our panel, and packages it as a lender-ready proposal. The funder runs their own underwriting and comes back with a formal offer, which we walk you through. You're not committed at any point until you sign the funder's documents.

We arrange finance for limited companies, LLPs and PLCs based in the UK that are investing in business assets — particularly technology, equipment and project-based capital expenditure. We're a strong fit for businesses making structured, considered investments where the asset is core to operations or growth, and where conversation with someone who understands the sector matters. We don't arrange consumer finance, sole-trader finance, or two-partner partnership finance (see "Is IQ Finance regulated?").