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.
Last reviewed: 8 October 2026