How We Helped a Retail Startup Secure £100K Funding
The Brief
Our client, a retail startup based in Birmingham, was preparing to launch a new boutique concept combining online and in-store shopping. They needed funding to fit out their premises, purchase furniture, shelving, till systems and fund signage — but as a newly formed business, accessing finance proved challenging.
Traditional lenders were reluctant to lend due to the business’s limited track record and lack of tangible assets to offer as security.
Key obstacles included:
- Less than 12 months of trading history
- No established business credit file
- Limited collateral for secured loans
- Lack of capital as personal savings had been used to fund the rent deposit, legal fees and stock
The founders required £100,000 to cover fit-out expenses — yet their applications with high street banks had been declined.
What we were tasked to do
To finance a complete fit-out with expenses to enable the next phase of company growth.
Our Approach
We started with a detailed financial and operational review to understand the business model, sales forecasts, and repayment capacity. From there, our process included:
- Refining the business plan to highlight market demand, supplier agreements, and sales projections
- Advising on cash flow presentation to reassure lenders of affordability
- Identifying specialist retail finance providers with a track record of supporting early-stage ventures
We then built a tailored funding proposal that positioned the business as a strong, scalable retail opportunity — focusing on the founders’ sector experience, supplier relationships, and the strong pre-launch marketing traction they’d already achieved.
Our Approach
We started with a detailed financial and operational review to understand the business model, sales forecasts, and repayment capacity. From there, our process included:
- Refining the business plan to highlight market demand, supplier agreements, and sales projections
- Advising on cash flow presentation to reassure lenders of affordability
- Identifying specialist retail finance providers with a track record of supporting early-stage ventures
We then built a tailored funding proposal that positioned the business as a strong, scalable retail opportunity — focusing on the founders’ sector experience, supplier relationships, and the strong pre-launch marketing traction they’d already achieved.
Outcome
Funding was approved and paid out within 9 days of our initial consultation. The client used the loan to: • Complete their store fit-out including decorating costs • Provide a solid identity that generated strong early footfall and online orders • Achieve break-even within five months of opening By month six, they had doubled their monthly turnover and established themselves as a recognised independent retailer in their niche.
What the client said
“We’d hit a wall with the banks — every rejection was the same story; come back when you have some trading history. The team at Origin understood retail, knew exactly which lenders to approach, and handled everything from start to finish. Thanks to them, we launched on schedule and surpassed our first-year targets.”Key Takeaways
✅ Startups in the retail sector can secure substantial funding with the right preparation
✅ Specialist lenders are often more flexible than traditional banks
✅ A well-presented business plan and realistic cash flow forecast make all the difference
