A new specialist finance platform, SME Funded, has officially launched with the aim of revolutionising how small and medium-sized businesses in the construction and manufacturing sectors access essential capital.

Positioned as the UK's first one-stop financing platform of its kind, the service connects business owners with a network of over 130 lenders. In addition to these external partners, SME Funded utilises its own deployed capital to provide flexible and rapid funding options in a climate where traditional banking routes are increasingly restrictive.

The platform arrives as UK SMEs contend with tightening credit criteria and a reduction in support from high street banks. Founded by construction M&A specialist Bradley Lay, the firm seeks to eliminate the friction typically associated with securing business finance by combining industry-specific knowledge with a proactive, hands-on service model.

Bradley Lay stated: "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.

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"We built SME Funded to change that. This is about giving business owners real access to capital, quickly, intelligently and without unnecessary barriers."

The platform provides a comprehensive suite of products tailored to the nuances of the manufacturing and construction industries. Available solutions include business loans, asset and equipment finance, property and bridging finance, as well as motor and software finance. Each deal is structured to meet the specific requirements of the individual company, whether they are looking to fuel growth or manage working capital during difficult trading periods.

Operating differently from standard brokers, SME Funded employs a "white-glove" approach. The team works directly with clients to position their businesses effectively and manage the application process from start to finish. This is supported by a streamlined three-step assessment process designed to ensure that the acquisition of finance does not hinder a company's momentum.

The leadership team brings a wealth of experience to the venture, having worked with more than 600 UK business owners. A spokesperson for SME Funded commented: "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."

The spokesperson continued: "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 has a proven track record in corporate finance and the construction trade, notably helping scale a business from £12 million to over £150 million in revenue prior to an exit in 2022. As the founder of TrueNorth Capital Group and co-founder of Peak Capital Group, Lay has overseen strategic acquisitions across Europe and the UK, advising numerous SME owners on exit planning and financial strategy.

By aligning sector expertise with a vast lender network, SME Funded intends to act as a long-term partner for firms seeking to scale or stabilise their operations amidst ongoing economic pressures.