Business finance: prepare your funding case

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Define the funding purpose

Describe the decision and distinguish purchase costs, investment and operating cash needs. Identify who would borrow and what timing is proposed, then confirm the information required with the finance provider. Avoid assuming that a general funding estimate is the same as an agreed facility or a complete transaction budget.

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Connect the plan to the numbers

Bring current financial information and forecasts that explain the commercial assumptions. Reconcile the use of funds with the business plan. Include existing commitments and test what happens if receipts arrive later or growth takes longer. Make gaps in information visible so they can be resolved before reliance is placed on the case.

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Prepare for questions and conditions

A lender may request supporting contracts, security information or personal financial details through its secure process. Requirements vary. Ask about the assessment process and what remains conditional. Keep the decision to invest separate from the expectation of borrowing; an attractive business case does not guarantee finance on acceptable terms.

Use this in your business

Your funding-case checklist

Purpose: the decision, amount to assess and intended timing.
Business evidence: current results and relevant contracts.
Forecast: cash timing, repayment assumptions and downside case.
Commitments: current debt, planned investment and operating needs.
Questions: information the lender needs and conditions still unresolved.

Illustrative example

What this could look like

An acquisition budget includes the purchase consideration but leaves out transition work and operating cash after completion. Build a fuller use-of-funds schedule before discussing finance. That helps the adviser and lender assess the proposal the business actually needs to fund.

Your next move

Bring the decision into focus.

Pivot Point's team describes obtaining finance and capital work. Start with your planned decision and current financial information to discuss appropriate preparation.

Start a conversation Meet the advisory team

This guide is general preparation information. Advice on legal, tax and financial consequences needs to reflect your circumstances.

Further reading: ASB: finance preparation