Finance to Start a Business
Finance designed for new businesses — get the equipment and assets you need to start trading, even if you're in your first few months.
0–6 months
Trading history
Skin in the game
Capital contribution
Asset-focused
Finance type
24–48 hrs
Typical assessment
Getting your new business off the ground
Starting a business means investing in the right equipment, vehicles, and setup — and that takes capital. But when you're brand new, most lenders won't look at you.
This finance is built for businesses in their first 0–6 months. We look at what you're investing, what you need to buy, and your experience — then structure a finance package around your whole setup, not just a single asset.
What can you finance?
We focus on the tangible assets that form the foundation of your new business.
Vehicles & trucks
Finance your primary business vehicles — vans, trucks, utes, or cars that keep your business moving.
Equipment & machinery
Manufacturing gear, trade equipment, plant machinery — the tools that make your business work.
IT, POS & light equipment
Computers, point-of-sale systems, tools, and smaller items you need from day one.
Starting a business?
Our guide covers what to expect when launching a new business with finance.
What strengthens your application
Starting out is tough — here's what helps us back you, and what can make it harder.
You're investing your own capital in the setup
No personal capital at risk
You're clear on your setup costs and funding needs
Unclear on costs or what you need
The finance is mainly for tangible, recoverable assets
Primarily intangible or low-value items
Realistic plan for how you'll service the repayments
No clear path to servicing the debt
Relevant industry or management experience
No relevant experience
You own property (helpful for larger amounts)
No property or other assets to support
You have a business plan or forecast
No plan or an unrealistic forecast
Every situation is different — these are indicators, not hard rules. Talk to us about where you're at.
Getting ready to apply
Work out your setup costs
List everything you need to get started — equipment, vehicles, fit-out, stock — and how you plan to fund each part. We have a cost and funding scenario tool that can help.
Apply online
Submit your application through our online form. We'll need your personal bank statements and any quotes or invoices for the assets you want to finance.
Get your answer
We review your application and come back to you — usually within 24–48 hours. If we need anything else, we'll let you know. Once approved, we walk you through the next steps.
What you'll need
A breakdown of your total setup costs and funding sources
Quotes or invoices for the equipment or assets you need
Evidence of your personal capital contribution (savings, equity)
A basic business plan or forecast
Your relevant industry or management experience
Your recent personal bank statements
Don't have all of this yet? That's OK — talk to us and we'll help you work out what you need.
Why choose CFI for your new business?
We back new businesses
Most lenders won't look at you until you've been trading for years. We're different — our finance is purpose-built for businesses in their first 0–6 months.
We look at the whole picture
We don't just assess a single asset — we look at your total setup, your experience, and your capital contribution, then structure the finance around your situation.
You deal with the decision-makers
We fund the deal ourselves — no waiting on a third party. You talk directly to the people making the decision, and you get your answer faster.
Common questions
I haven't started trading yet — can I still apply?
Yes. This finance is specifically designed for businesses in their first 0–6 months. You don't need to be trading yet, but you'll need a clear plan for how the business will work and how you'll service the finance.
How much of my own money do I need to put in?
We look at your overall investment in the business — not just a deposit on one asset. If you're already putting significant capital into setup costs, we may be able to fund the equipment and assets with little or no additional deposit. Every deal is different.
What can I finance?
Primarily tangible business assets — vehicles, equipment, tools, IT, and POS systems. We can also include some setup costs like fit-out and furnishings, but these are typically capped at around 25–30% of the total finance amount.
Do I need a business plan?
Yes — even a simple one helps. It shows us you've thought through how the business will operate and how you'll cover repayments. We have templates available if you need a starting point.
What if I don't own property?
Property ownership strengthens your application, especially for larger amounts. But it's not always required — for smaller, asset-backed deals we can often work without it. Talk to us about your situation.
How quickly can I get a decision?
Most applications are assessed within 24–48 hours once we have everything we need. We'll let you know upfront if anything is missing.
More questions? See our full FAQ or get in touch.
Ready to launch your business?
Talk to a CFI Finance Specialist about getting the equipment and assets you need.