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Four easy steps to secure working capital finance
Apply online in minutes
Tell us about your business using our simple online form.
Inhouse check
We approve you based on your business performance. Our soft search does not impact your credit score.
Decision in two days
You’ll get a funding offer in less than 48 hours, if your application is approved.
Receive your funds
Receive the money within 2 days of your offer being funded.
The ethical alternative to working capital loans
We provide working capital finance to small and medium-sized firms across the UK. Our product is a socially responsible alternative to a business loan. It gives you the same benefits as an unsecured loan - funding of up to £200k of working capital, repayable over up to 36 months - but it's structured to meet the ethics and values of Islamic finance.
You do not need to be a Muslim to apply.
Why businesses need working capital
It's not enough for your business to be profitable. To survive, you need to be sure the amount of cash in your bank is enough to cover your operational needs and your current liabilities. Working capital is the amount of money you have available right now to pay business expenses. Businesses take out working capital loans to ensure their cash reserves allow them to continue trading profitably and to grow.
We provide a cost-effective alternative to a working capital loan.
Unlock growth with our working capital loans alternative
Any UK-based business can apply for our alternative to working capital loans. They differ from traditional loans, because they're interest-free and they're operated in line with Islamic finance principles.
For the business owner looking for working capital, our business finance offers all the same benefits of a loan, with the extra advantage of it being operated in line with our community values.
Who can apply to us for working capital?
Raise funds of between £50,000 and £200,000 through our streamlined application process. Unsecured business finance to help your business grow.
How our working capital finance helps you
Get the funding you need to implement your business growth plans. Finance up to £200k available for up to 3 years.
Quick and easy to apply
You don't want to waste time on a lengthy application, which is why we only ask for the information we absolutely need to make a decision.
No assets required as security
Our working capital funding is unsecured, meaning it's not tied to any asset in your business. This makes the application process much faster and leaves you complete freedom in how you manage your assets.
Get the money fast
It's important that you get hold of your working capital quickly, in order to implement your plans. Once your offer is fully funded you get the cash within two working days.
You stay in control
You're in the best position to know how to use extra working capital in your business. You have significant flexibility on how you invest the capital from us.
Using fresh working capital to grow your business
Give yourself more time to plan
Juggling cashflow can cost you a lot of lost time, particularly when payroll and tax bills are due. Having a good working capital balance can ease that pressure significantly, giving you more time to plan for the future.
Invest in new opportunities
With a stronger short-term cash position it's easier to seize commercial opportunities that present themselves, such as purchasing more stock or taking on new staff.
What our customers say about Qardus
Testimonials from business owners who've raised working capital through us. BN
Qardus is a great example of the importance of flexible working capital for asset light businesses such as ours. Without the assets to offer a traditional lender as collateral, micro SMEs are often turned away. Qardus worked with us to understand our strategy and ambitions, and the funding provided will support the investment required to update our data service provider, allowing us to have more control of our central costs.
Athar Ahmad, Founder, Zoomash Limited
How our finance differs from a conventional working capital loan
Take advantage of new funding options for your business.
No interest on working capital
Unlike a traditional business loan, our funding is interest-free. We do charge a fee, which is agreed in advance and is deducted from the proceeds before the cash is paid to you.
Sharia-compliant business finance
Our business funding is Sharia-compliant, meaning it is operated in line with Islamic principles of finance and business.
Ethical alternative to working capital loans
Our funding is based on ethical investing. Environmental, social and governance criteria are considered with the aim of making a positive contribution to society.
Crowdfunding solution
Our working capital loans alternative is based on a crowdfunding model. You still get the short-term finance your business needs, repayable over an agreed term of up to 36 months.
Funding FAQs
What fees does Qardus charge?
We charge an arrangement fee of up to 8% that is paid by the small business seeking financing on drawdown of the funds. In practice, it will be retained from the advance.
Are there any additional costs that could apply to your financing facility?
An administration fee of 15% of arrears is applied to any repayments that remain unpaid after 3 business days from their due date.
Who can apply for a financing facility?
All UK registered business can apply for financing on the Qardus platform. Businesses must be:- Limited Liability Company with UK registered shareholders
- Minimum of 3 years trading history (Start-ups and sole traders are not eligible)
- Profitable and stable cash flows
- No outstanding CCJ's
As Qardus is a Sharia-compliant platform, businesses with their main activities in the following sectors are excluded:- Advertising if:
- Advertisers of pork, alcohol, gambling, tobacco and all other non-Islamic activities
- Advertising means and modes which contravene the tenets of Islam
- Media & Entertainment (Exceptions that are allowed on the platform include: News Channels, Newspapers, Sports Channels, Children’s Channels, Educational Channels):
- Producers, distributors and broadcasters of music, movies, television shows and musical radio shows
- Cinema operators
- Alcohol
- Cloning
- Financials, except the following that are allowed:
- Islamic Banks
- Islamic Financial Institutions
- Islamic Insurance Companies
- Gambling
- Pork
- Pornography
- Tobacco
- Trading of gold and silver as cash on deferred basis
How quickly can my business get financing?
Your application to obtain funding on the Qardus platform takes minutes to complete. Once this is done, our credit assessment team will review your complete application and get back to you within 48 hours (2 working days).If your application is approved, and after you have signed your financing agreement, your financing request will automatically be listed on the marketplace so that registered Qardus investors can review it and fund your business.
Your financing facility can fund over a period of up to 14 days, although most financing arrangements fund in just a few days. As soon as it's 100% funded your listing will close and we will send you a confirmation email. As long as your financing facility is fully funded before 3pm on any working day, we will transfer the funds into your designated business bank account the same day. (NB: Funds can take up to 3 days to reach your account).What rate will my business pay?
The total cost of your financing facility includes a flat profit rate and Qardus fees. The rate (i.e. profit rate based on the commodity murabaha agreement) your business pays back is determined by a number of factors, including the risk band your financing facility is given during our credit assessment process, and the length of repayment term. The rate is applied to the outstanding principal at the outset to calculate the amount due on each repayment date.
Our rates start from around 1.25% per month but can vary depending on the risk profile of the business.What types of financing can a business get on the Qardus platform?
Qardus currently provides the following type of financing:
- Small business (unsecured) financing facility.
- From £50,000 to £200,000 for working capital purposes.
- Tenors from 6 months to 36 months.
- Personal Guarantees (PGs) will be required by the shareholder(s).
Secured vs. Unsecured business financing
Unsecured business financing typically requires a personal guarantee from the shareholder(s). This is a common practice for this sort of agreement in the UK.
Unlike a secured financing agreement, an unsecured facility does not obligate the business receiving the financing to give up collateral (business assets) if the business defaults on payment.
The financing provider may still be able to take your collateral, but not without a court’s permission. It is typical for non-Sharia-compliant businesses to charge a higher interest rate for unsecured loans; whereas secured loans have lower interest rates.