- First ever Growth Finance Awards showcase breadth of financing options and support available to UK SMEs
- A further 36 companies have been recognised across nine awards from Best P2P Lender to Venture Debt Provider of the Year
The second wave of finalists in the 2019 Growth Finance Awards has been announced today, celebrating the pace of innovation and breadth of financing options available to UK businesses.
Launched this year, the awards celebrate the companies providing “more than finance” to SMEs, innovating in financial services and breathing optimism into start-ups and established businesses.
These lenders provide the vital capital inflows – around £79.7 billion last year – that help thousands of businesses to start-up, scale-up and stay-up.
The diverse range of financing options has a real-world impact that needs to be recognised. As businesses start-up and expand, they have the power to disrupt and innovate at pace. Developing skills and attracting talent that boost productivity and directly contribute to economic growth. Whether the proceeds go to a proptech start-up in Bristol, a tomato grower in Norwich, or a longstanding whisky distillery in Dundee, growth finance has a widespread impact on the diverse businesses that make up the British economy.
The government recognised an access to finance problem in 2012, caused by the retreat of big banks from SME lending. These providers stepped up to ensure that the flow of capital didn’t dry up. By championing and providing finance to fast-growing SMEs, these lenders provide the essential fuel for our economic growth.
The winners of these awards will now go on to a second round of judging by an independent panel of more than 30 industry experts. Winners will be announced at an exclusive black-tie dinner hosted by Claudia Winkleman for 400 guests on Wednesday 11 September at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.
Innovative Product of the Year
Innovate UK Loans
Kuflink
ArchOver
Tide
Best Fund Manager – sponsored by Goji Investments
CORDET
RM Funds
Downing
Kreos Capital
Triple Point
Best P2P Business Lender
Blend Network
Kuflink
LendingCrowd
CrowdProperty
Assetz Capital
Crowd2Fund
Formax Credit
Specialist Lender of the Year
Blend Network
Amberside Capital
Triple Point Investment Management
Kreos Capital
Catalyst Business Finance
Ask Inclusive Finance
Woodsford TradeBridge
Downing
Venture Debt Provider of the Year
Columbia Lake Partners
Shawbrook Bank
Barclays
Finstock
Best Invoice Finance Provider
Banking Circle
Satago Financial Solutions
Ultimate Finance
MarketInvoice
Best Challenger Bank
Redwood Bank
Tandem Bank
OakNorth
Wyelands Bank
Digital Lender of the Year
Capital on Tap
TradeRiver UK
LendingCrowd
CORDET
Direct Lending Platform of the Year – sponsored by RW Blears Solicitors
Invocap
CORDET
TradeRiver UK
ArchOver
365 Business Finance
For further information please visit growthfinanceawards.com