Small businesses can compare and select finance products from traditional, independent and alternative lenders.

The new business launches at FinovateEurope, demonstrating how it can increase SMEs’ ability to find finance.

The majority of SMEs still fail to take advantage of the wide variety of funding choices available to them because it is too time consuming to research and apply to multiple providers. Capitalise features more than 50 lenders enabling small businesses to search, rank, select and manage finance options via a single automated application at Capitalise.com.

Capitalise’s comparison and matching service improves the flow of finance from lenders to SMEs. It uses behavioural analytics to track and rank lenders according to their suitability against a small business’ unique funding criteria. Capitalise only initiates relationships between small businesses and lenders that are relevant and compelling for both parties.

Capitalise welcomes small businesses to its marketplace directly at Capitalise.com, and via its growing network of adviser relationships. At launch, Capitalise has forged an agreement with PKF, a global network of accountancy firms, to provide a gateway for accountants to compare and execute SME finance products on behalf of their clients.

The business was founded by former executive director at Goldman Sachs, Paul Surtees, and Ollie Maitland, MD of Byng, a software engineering consultancy focused on digital product & technical strategy. The pair combine financial and technology acumen, with a shared vision to enable access to finance for every business.

Paul Surtees, managing director and cofounder, Capitalise, says: “The rise in alternative lenders is beginning to ease the significant constriction in small business lending but there is a lot more to do. Many SMEs only contact the largest banks when seeking finance with the vast majority only approaching a single lender. Capitalise creates greater opportunities for independent, alternative and traditional lenders to reach small businesses with lending solutions that will fuel growth and ultimately, economic benefit.”

Chris Clay, consultant at PKF, says: “We are increasingly focused on delivering strategic services to our substantial SME client base in the UK. Before we worked with Capitalise, it was challenging to keep up to date with changes to lenders, products and pricing. Capitalise enables us to quickly and easily source the most suitable lending solutions for our clients, helping them to improve cash flow, fuel growth and better forecast their business activities.”