Women entrepreneurs often face a range of challenges that can hinder their ability to grow and succeed in business. These barriers can include a lack of supportive networks, gender bias and discrimination, together with the challenges of balancing work and family responsibilities.

Furthermore, it’s widely reported that female business owners experience limited access to funding and are more likely to have a negative response to their request, and as a result,  female business owners are less likely to apply for external finance and forgo growth opportunities.

Here at SWIG Finance, our customers are assigned a dedicated local business manager who will work with them to ensure that you are borrowing the appropriate level of funding to help you achieve your goals.

It’s worth noting that we do not use automated credit scoring methods and we judge each business on its own merit.

SWIG Finance is committed to breaking down financial barriers for women by providing access to affordable financial solutions, along with guidance and support to help women entrepreneurs overcome the challenges they face.

We believe that business finance is a catalyst for unlocking growth opportunities, and these opportunities should be equally accessible to all business professionals regardless of their gender.

To affirm our commitment to supporting women in business, SWIG Finance has pledged to the Investing in Women code to support the advancement of female entrepreneurship across the South West.

Our business loans for women can be used for a wide range of purposes, including: purchasing or upgrading equipment, funding new projects or product lines, providing working capital and hiring new employees. Loans can also be used to fund expanding operations or opening new locations. 

We understand that every business is unique, and we work closely with our customers to agree on a loan that meets their specific needs and supports their business goals.

As well as receiving the funding your business needs to grow, you will be assigned a dedicated, local business manager to provide support and guidance throughout the application process and for the duration of the loan. 

Our business managers will support you and also act as a signpost to other support networks and businesses that may be able to help you achieve your goals.

Research shows that women entrepreneurs are highly resilient, adaptable, and innovative. 

They often bring a unique perspective to business, and they tend to be highly focused on building relationships, establishing trust, and creating supportive networks.

Women entrepreneurs are also proven to be more likely to reinvest profits back into their businesses in order to grow and expand. This allows them to create sustainable businesses and create more jobs in the local economy. 

Additionally, research has found that women-owned businesses tend to be more profitable than their male-owned counterparts. This may be due to their ability to create cost-effective solutions, their focus on customer service, and their ability to collaborate with other businesses in their industry.

At SWIG Finance, we believe that women entrepreneurs have the potential to be highly successful in business, and we are committed to providing the funding and support they need to thrive.

Our business loans for women range from £25,001 up to £250,000. These are available to SMEs that have been trading for over two years.

If your business has been trading for less than three years, we also offer Start Up Loans, which range between £500 up to £25,000 per director. SWIG Finance is part of a network of official Start Up Loans business support partners across the UK who administer the scheme.

Our approval process can vary depending on the complexity of your application, but typically, approval is usually with 2 – 3 weeks after receipt of the required documents.

Our business loans can be used to support the acquisition of existing businesses. If you are starting a new business, a Start Up Loan may be more appropriate. Visit our Start Up Loans webpage for more information.