Yes. Buying another business is funded through acquisition finance: cash-flow-led structures sized on the combined business, not just yours today. We arrange acquisition finance from £25,000 to £10 million.
What it can fund
- buying a competitor or a bolt-on business
- a management buyout or buy-in
- a business you're buying for the first time
How deals are usually funded
Acquisitions are usually funded in layers:
- senior debt from a lender, sized on the profits of the business you're buying
- vendor finance: part of the price paid to the seller over time
- your own contribution: typically 10% to 30% of the purchase price, depending on the deal
A Growth Guarantee Scheme facility can be one layer. See What is the Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS)?.
How long it takes
Typically 6 to 12 weeks from engagement to drawdown, depending on the deal and the due diligence.
Fees for acquisitions
The same success fee and retainer apply, plus an abort fee if a deal falls through after lenders have made credit-approved offers. See the commission policy.
Smaller purchases
A Start Up Loan can help you buy an existing business, as long as you haven't owned it for more than 60 months.
Find out more on our acquisition finance page, or read How to value a business you want to buy.
Last reviewed: 8 October 2026