You don't need any documents to start an enquiry with us. If you go ahead, the funder will ask for some, and the list depends on the funder and the product. A turnover-based funder may ask for very little. A development funder or a larger loan usually asks for much more, including a business plan.
What South African funders publish
These are taken from each funder's own pages. Naming a funder here does not mean we place deals with it.
| Funder | What it says it asks for | Where we read it |
|---|---|---|
| Business Partners | "Completed application. Business plan. Annual financial statements. Up to date management accounts. Cash flow forecast. CV of business owner/s." | Its business finance page, read 4 Nov 2026 |
| Bridgement | "Bridgement does not require a business plan, a budget or a financial forecast. You also don't have to be VAT registered." | Its help page (article dated 5 March 2025), read 4 Nov 2026 |
| National Empowerment Fund (NEF) | For an existing business, among others: an application form and business plan, three years of audited financials, five-year projections, recent management accounts, personal statements of assets and liabilities of all members or directors, "Business bank statements for the past twelve (12) months", "Certified ID copies of all members or directors" and registration documents. It says an application "WILL BE REJECTED" if any listed document is missing | NEF application form (2021 copy hosted on a municipal site); the current form was not read |
| Lula | Its page lists "1+ year" trading "as a registered South African business" and "R40K+ Monthly revenue". It does not list documents or a number of months of statements. | Lula's site, read 4 Nov 2026 |
The gap between the first two rows is the point. The more a funder lends and the longer the term, the more paperwork it tends to want. Business Partners says it provides business finance "ranging from R500 000 to R50 million".
The documents that come up most
Here is what each one is, in plain words, so nothing on a funder's list is a surprise.
- Company registration documents. Proof that your Pty Ltd or close corporation (CC) is registered with CIPC, and who its directors or members are.
- SARS tax compliance status. Proof that the business is up to date with SARS. SARS issues a tax compliance status and a PIN once it approves your request through eFiling. The PIN lets you authorise a third party, such as a funder, to "view your tax compliance status online".
- Business bank statements. Usually the most important document for short-term funding. See bank statements for how many months different funders ask for.
- Annual financial statements. Your last full year's accounts. Business Partners lists them; the NEF form asks for three years of audited financials.
- Up to date management accounts. Your own figures for the months since the last annual statements.
- Cash flow forecast and business plan. What you expect to come in and go out, and what the money is for. Business Partners and the NEF list both. Bridgement says it needs neither.
- ID of the directors or members. The NEF form asks for certified ID copies of all of them. Ask your funder whose ID it needs.
- The invoice, order or award behind the deal. Invoice discounting is funding against invoices you have already issued, purchase order funding is for a confirmed order, and tender funding is for a tender you have already won. Expect the funder to want to see that invoice, order, award letter or contract.
What we ask for, and when
When you first enquire, we ask how you're paid, how much you need and what it's for. If you go ahead, we ask for bank statements, company documents and ID. The funder may then ask for more, depending on the product and the amount.
Getting ready
- Check the directors listed at CIPC are the people who will sign. A funder will notice if they're not.
- It helps to have your SARS returns up to date before you apply.
- Keep the documents as clear PDF files, not photos of paper.
- Be wary of anyone who asks you to pay a fee before a loan is paid out. The National Credit Regulator has warned about fake lenders who say a loan is approved and then demand an "upfront payment". See stay safe from scams.
Next step
Start without any documents. Check your funding fit.
Sources
- businesspartners.co.za: required documents list
- help.bridgement.com: no business plan, budget or forecast
- stlm.gov.za: THE NEF APPLICATION FORM R250 000 - R75 million
- lula.co.za: 1+ year", "Trading as a registered South African business", "R40K+ Monthly revenue
- sars.gov.za: Once your request is approved by SARS, you will be issued with an overall tax compliance status and a PIN
- ncr.org.za: NCR media release, April 2020: scammers "inform consumers that the loan is approved and before the loan is paid out, they demand an 'upfront payment'