“Entrepreneurs, particularly those in the supply chain in Europe, the United Kingdom, and indeed the rest of the world, frustrated with the lack of access to traditional financial streams should consider invoice financing,” writes Morgan Terigi, Co-Founder and CEO of Incomlend
While the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted many businesses, the crisis was a moment of opportunity for others: As norms related to work, schooling, and life changed in the blink of an eye, many entrepreneurs started businesses to address related needs.
Many of these businesses grew dramatically. Now that the pandemic has settled, however, some of these businesses are hitting a plateau. Despite being profitable, they do not have enough working capital to grow the business further. They only have enough to maintain their current levels of profitability, but nothing more.
Some of these entrepreneurs will seek financing the most common way, via a bank loan. Unfortunately, this avenue will likely be inaccessible to them. Bank loans will favor organisations that have been in business for a long time, not those newly formed within the last few years. They may also require collateral that such businesses will not have right now. Some businesses created during the COVID-19 pandemic may meet the bare minimum requirements and go through the lengthy application process. They will meet with a banker, submit the necessary financial documents, including everything from financial statements to trade references, and then wait. This waiting period is actually the longest part and may encompass anywhere from a few weeks to months. After all this bureaucracy, the entrepreneur will get a denial from the bank. But, they will not be getting any financing.
Such time represents a major opportunity cost for the business leader. They could have spent the same amount of time either focused on the operations or seeking capital that is more friendly to newer businesses.
Entrepreneurs, particularly those in the supply chain in Europe, the United Kingdom, and indeed the rest of the world, frustrated with the lack of access to traditional financial streams should consider invoice financing. Many may have heard the term before but may be unsure how it actually works. Invoice financing is simple. Upon onboarding, exporters upload the export receivable that they want to be factored into the invoice financing platform, which then pays them cash in as little as 48 hours. They are spared the need of having to wait anywhere from 60 to 90 to 120 days to collect in a traditional payment cycle. They get working capital, which can be used to grow their business beyond the current plateau.
Invoice financing is also friendly for importers. Following a buyer-led approach, they can also upload their suppliers’ export receivables that they wish to be paid. Their trade partner will likewise be paid within 48 hours, and the importer gains a longer runway, anywhere up to 120 days depending on the terms, to pay back the platform. The importer can thus enjoy more working capital today, rather than worry about paying off vendors. As a result, they can also focus on revenue-generating activities that grow the business.
Investors benefit from both importer- and exporter-led invoice financing because they can back individual receivables or groups of receivables. Either situation represents a promising asset class that offers stable returns.
While invoice financing is subject to similar requirements as more traditional forms of financing – it is a financial instrument after all – it is arguably more accessible. To be eligible, importers or exporters need to have a trade history with their corresponding trade partner. They also do not need to be corporate (i.e. which is the preferred lending partner of banks), invoice financing platforms generally work with SMEs and other enterprises. It also does not require any form of collateral, so it is friendly to businesses without significant assets that they are willing to take a loan against. Finally, invoice financing occurs off-the-balance-sheet, so it does not saddle businesses in debt at a time they need positive income statements the most.
For all these reasons, I think invoice financing should not just be looked at as a financial innovation. It is very much a social one as well, opening up access to financial streams to entrepreneurs in the supply chain who may otherwise not have had access. Invoice financing, in short, has innovated how we extend inclusivity.
