Commercial finance is an umbrella term. Under the bonnet sit fundamentally different products, each with its own pricing structure, term and security requirements. A business looking to finance machinery in Eindhoven needs a completely different facility to a wholesaler bridging its debtor collection period. We first pinpoint the exact funding requirement before determining the appropriate structure.
- Independent: no balance sheet of our own, meaning zero bias towards any single product
- Both bank and non-bank: high-street banks, credit unions, asset finance houses, regional funds
- Regional focus: thoroughly familiar with BOM, Brainport Development and regional funding schemes
What forms of commercial finance are available?
The right choice starts with where the capital will be deployed. Financing must match the economic lifespan of the asset being funded. You do not fund commercial premises with short-term credit, nor do you manage a temporary inventory peak with a 10-year term loan.
- Commercial loan — fixed term and repayment schedule, designed for capital investments
- Working capital finance — overdrafts, revolving credit facilities, inventory finance
- Factoring — immediate liquidity released from outstanding sales invoices
- Equipment lease — machinery, commercial vehicles, production equipment
- Commercial mortgage — purchasing or refinancing commercial property
- Acquisition finance — MBI, MBO and strategic acquisitions
- Growth and innovation finance — equity, convertible loans, grant funding
Why the Eindhoven region is different
Brainport is a distinct economic powerhouse: highly concentrated with capital-intensive advanced manufacturing, high-tech suppliers with long R&D cycles, and an active tier of innovative scale-ups. That directly dictates funding requirements. A machine-building supplier often requires substantial working capital due to extended production cycles and upfront material costs. A deep-tech startup, by contrast, requires risk capital and innovation grants rather than a conventional amortising term loan.
Alongside mainstream banks, there are dedicated regional sources of capital — regional development agencies, angel investors within the Brainport network, and specialised funds focused on sustainability and innovation. Combining banking facilities with regional capital is often what makes the difference between a declined application and a successfully structured, blended facility.
Why do finance applications get turned down?
In practice, applications rarely fail because of the underlying business idea; they fail on the supporting case. The four recurring culprits are: an under-substantiated or overly optimistic financial forecast, insufficient security, historical trading that cannot support the proposed debt service, and pitching to the wrong lender.
A robust credit file requires a multi-year forecast with an integrated cash flow projection, a well-reasoned investment appraisal, up-to-date management accounts, and a transparent repayment plan.We benchmark banks, non-bank lenders, regional funds and grant programmes to set out your viable options side by side.
Frequently asked questions
What will commercial finance cost in 2026?
Interest rates depend on the facility type, offered security and overall risk profile. Secured bank investment loans typically offer the lowest rates, while non-bank revolving facilities and factoring sit higher because they offer speed and flexibility. Always evaluate the total cost of capital (interest, arrangement fees, ongoing facility fees) rather than looking at the headline margin alone.
How quickly can funds be drawn down?
Non-bank credit lines and factoring can be completed within a few working days. Bank facilities secured against commercial real estate typically take six to eight weeks, including valuations and formal credit committee approvals.
Can I secure finance without historical trading accounts?
For startups, yes, but underwriting then focuses heavily on the business plan, sector expertise and the founders' equity injection. Often, combining equity, a government guarantee scheme and a regional funding programme provides the viable path.