A new specialist finance platform SME Funded has launched to transform access to funding for small and medium-sized businesses in the construction and manufacturing sectors.
Designed as a one-stop solution, SME Funded connects business owners with over 130 lenders alongside its own deployed capital offering faster, more flexible funding options in a market where traditional finance routes often fall short.
The launch comes at a critical time for UK SMEs, which continue to face tightening lending criteria, slower approvals and reduced support from high street banks, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty.
Founded by construction M&A expert Bradley Lay, SME Funded aims to remove the friction from securing finance by combining deep sector expertise with a streamlined, hands-on approach.
Bradley Lay said: “SMEs are the backbone of the UK economy, yet when it comes to finance, they’re often underserved. Traditional lenders are slow, restrictive and risk averse. When businesses are growing, they hold them back and when they’re under pressure, they step away.
“We built SME Funded to change that. This is about giving business owners real access to capital, quickly, intelligently and without unnecessary barriers.”
SME Funded offers a wide range of funding solutions tailored specifically to the needs of construction and manufacturing businesses. These include business loans, asset finance, equipment finance, bridging and property finance, motor finance and software finance.
Each solution is structured around the individual business, with a focus on supporting growth, unlocking working capital and helping companies navigate challenging trading conditions.
Unlike traditional brokers, SME Funded takes a “white-glove” approach, working closely with clients from initial application through to funding, structuring deals and positioning businesses effectively to secure the best outcomes.
With access to a network of more than 130 lenders, alongside its own capital, SME Funded is able to deliver funding at pace, often where traditional providers cannot.
The company has designed a streamlined three-step process, enabling business owners to apply quickly, receive a rapid assessment and access funds efficiently, helping ensure finance does not become a bottleneck to growth.
Having worked with over 600 UK business owners, the team behind SME Funded has first-hand insight into the challenges SMEs face when accessing finance and has built the platform to address these gaps directly.
A spokesperson for SME Funded said: “Too many strong businesses are held back by slow processes, rigid criteria and a lack of understanding from traditional lenders. We’ve built SME Funded to work in the real world, moving at the pace business owners need, and delivering solutions that actually fit their situation.
“Our role goes beyond simply finding a lender. We structure funding properly, tell the right story and manage the entire process, so our clients can focus on running and growing their business.”
Founder Bradley Lay brings extensive experience across corporate finance and the construction sector, having played a key role in scaling a business from £12 million to over £150 million in revenue before a successful exit in 2022.
As co-founder of Peak Capital Group and founder of TrueNorth Capital Group, Lay has led strategic acquisitions across the UK and European construction markets and advised more than 100 SME owners on growth, financial strategy and exit planning.
His experience on both sides of the deal table has shaped SME Funded’s approach focusing on certainty, speed and practical solutions that align with how businesses actually operate.
As economic pressures continue to challenge business owners, SME Funded is positioning itself as a long-term partner for SMEs looking to scale, stabilise or unlock new opportunities.
By combining sector expertise, extensive lender access and a hands-on service model, the business aims to redefine how SMEs access finance in the UK, removing unnecessary complexity and delivering capital where it is needed most.
