Aspire Business Loans – reviews, analysis and fees

Last updated on 10 August 2023

Aspire Money is a credit broker with a substantial presence in the personal lending sphere, with Aspire Business Loans offering the same service for SMEs seeking funding for company growth and expansion – but does it have good reviews?

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Rather than lending money themselves, Aspire will assess the financial shape of your business and connect you with potential lenders that are prepared to meet your needs.

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From here, you will apply directly at no extra charge from Aspire – this website is essentially a portal that acts as the middleman and identifies potential funding sources for your business, leaving you to apply directly from that point forth.

Video: Business loans and finance explained

Aspire Business Loans business loans and finance

Pros and cons of Aspire Business Loans for business finance 

ProsCons
Connected to up to 70 different lenders, so you’re likely to find somebody willing to work with you Unlike some brokers, Aspire will not find or unlock special deals or manage your application
Some lenders will pay funds same-day Lending is limited to £300,000
No broker fees Online reviews of Aspire are limited to personal borrowing
Aspire Business Loans pros and cons

Business loans 

Aspire Business Loans is a middleman broker that connects a company interested in funding streams with potential lenders. Most of these loans will be repayable for up to five years and typically range between £5,000 and £30,000.

By filling in your company details on the Funding Xchange portal on the homepage of the Aspire Business Loans website, you will be instantly provided with a range of loans that you can apply for. Note that these offers will be subject to further scrutiny and are not legally binding.

A search for loans in the Funding Xchange portal will not impact your credit score, but you will need to furnish Aspire Business Loans with a great deal of first-party data about your business, so you may be opening yourself up to many marketing communications from other businesses.

In order to ensure you get the best options possible, ensure that you notify Aspire Business Loans of the best match for your needs. Options for funding through this portal include the following:

Small business loans

A small business may only be looking for an equally minimal loan to maintain cash flow in the short term. While most Aspire Business Loans products have a minimum lend of £5,000, if you specify that you are seeking a small business loan you may access funding starting at £1,000.

Unsecured business loans

The most popular form of funding for an SME, an unsecured business loan will be taken out against your company and will provide a measure of separation between your business and personal finances, though you may be asked to provide a personal guarantee depending on the terms offered by your lender of choice.

Secured business loans

Secured business loans carry a measure of risk, as you will need to use a personal or business asset (usually a property) as collateral. This means that you could lose your asset if you default on your repayments. However, a secured loan can result in preferential interest rates and a higher cap on your borrowing.

Same day business loans

If you need your funding in a hurry, let Aspire Business Loans know. This option will filter out any lender that takes longer than 24 hours to make a decision and release funds.

Startup business loans

Aspire Business Loans usually restricts its service to applicants with a minimum of one year of trading history. However, if you apply for a startup loan, this drops to six months.

Bad credit business loans

Many lenders will automatically disqualify applicants with poor credit scores from any lending options. If you specify that you need a bad credit loan, Aspire will only seek to pair you with specialist lenders that are more open to working with you, though this will likely lead to higher interest rates than a more conventional offer.

Aspire Business Loans account login

Business credit cards

Not available from Aspire Business Loans. See best business credit cards.

Asset finance 

Not available from Aspire Business Loans. See best asset finance

Invoice finance 

Not available from Aspire Business Loans. See invoice factoring.

Merchant cash advance

Not available from Aspire Business Loans. See merchant cash advance

Commercial mortgages 

Not available from Aspire Business Loans. See commercial mortgages

Business vehicle finance 

Not available from Aspire Business Loans. See business vehicle finance

Aspire Business Loans key information

Phone number020 3409 4557
App downloadsN/A
Websitewww.aspirebusinessloans.co.uk
Number of branchesN/A
FSCS protected?No
Founded2010
Key information

Aspire Business Loans reviews

Review platformScoreNumber of votes
TrustPilot1.9/515
Feefo4.8/52,674
Reviews.ioNot reviewedN/A
Smart Money People4.64/5109
Which?Not reviewedN/A
Average score3.7/52,798 total votes
Aspire Business Loans reviews and ratings

Business eligibility criteria

Aspire Business Loans will typically only connect SMEs with a minimum of one year of trading history to prospective lenders – six months if you are applying for a start-up loan. Minimum annual turnover is at the behest of the lender. If you do not meet a lender’s threshold, they will not be offered as an option.

Business finance alternatives

As Aspire Business Loans is a broker rather than a lender, you may wish to look for a direct supplier of business loans, or a broker that offers a greater service package and will manage your application in exchange for a fee.

Additional considerations

Aspire Money is a sprawling enterprise that acts as a financial broker in a range of fields, not just business loans. The personal arm of this business is arguably better known, but you will not be able to apply for company-related funding through anybody but Aspire Business Loans.

FAQ

How do I apply for an Aspire Business Loans business loan?

Head to the Aspire Business Loans website and fill in the details requested on the Funding Xchange portal found on the front page. Based on the data provided, you will be furnished with a list of quotes

Will Aspire Business Loans work with me if I have bad credit?

Bad credit may prevent you from accessing direct funds from many lenders, but Aspire Business Loans allows users to search specifically for bad credit loans that may help find somebody willing to work with you – though your historical credit issues will likely be reflected in any interest rates and repayment terms.

How much will my business be able to borrow through Aspire Business Loans?

Aspire Business Loans provides connections for borrowing starting at £1,000, and capped at £300,000. Other brokers may be able to unlock larger sums, but will charge for their services.

How long does it take to get funding through Aspire Business Loans?

This depends on the lender that you work with – some will pay out on the very same day that a loan request is approved. If you are only interested in lenders that make fast decisions and payouts select same day loans when filling in your details on the Funding Xchange portal.

How much will a business loan through Aspire Business Loans cost?

Aspire Business Loans will not charge you a broker fee for taking out a loan using their portal – Aspire’s payment comes from the lender. Your total amount due will be exclusively what is outlined by the lender, consisting of the capital of the loan, interest repayments, and any set-up or administrative costs.

Will I need to secure my lending through Aspire Business Loans against an asset?

Aspire Business Loans provides connections to both secured and unsecured loans. Whether you qualify for the former depends on your business credit score and how long you have been trading. If your business is considered a risky lending proposition, you may only be eligible for secured borrowing.

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