Let’s be real, you’ve been running your business for a few years now.
You’ve survived late payments, power cuts, and a few too many “we’ll pay you next month” promises.
You’re not new to the game.
But when it’s time to apply for funding, suddenly you’re told you’re “unbankable.”
“Minimum turnover: R50,000 per month.”
“Six months of clean bank statements.”
“Audited financials, please.”
Sound familiar?
Here’s the truth:
Funders might look at the numbers first, but what convinces them is credibility.
And the good news? You can build it, even if your balance sheet doesn’t tick every box.
Show That You Run a Real Business — Not a Hobby
Credibility starts with structure.
If you’ve been blending personal and business finances or running from a single account, you’re making it harder for funders to see your real story.
Start small:
✅ Record every sale and expense.
✅ Separate your personal and business accounts.
✅ Track monthly income, even when it fluctuates.
Funders love patterns. And consistent records, even if modest, tell a story of stability and discipline.
Create a Paper Trail That Speaks for You
You may not hit that “minimum turnover,” but you can still show momentum.
Gather proof that you’re a trustworthy operator:
- Long-term clients? Keep their invoices and testimonials.
- Supplier relationships? Save those payment records.
- Any recurring revenue? Highlight it.
When you can demonstrate responsible cash flow and repeat business, you’re showing funders what they really want to see: reliability.
Use Tools That Make You Look Fundable
Here’s a little-known secret: funders trust data that looks clean.
Tools like Sage Business Cloud Accounting make your numbers look (and be) investor-ready — organising your invoices, statements, and reports into professional dashboards.
You don’t have to tell anyone you’re using it — your books will speak for you.
(If you’re serious about getting funder-ready, try the free version — quietly powerful.)
Borrow Credibility Until You Build Your Own
Partnerships, testimonials, collaborations — these are credibility shortcuts.
You might not have a massive turnover yet, but you can show you’re part of an ecosystem that funders already trust.
Ask a mentor to vouch for you.
Collaborate with known suppliers.
Join programs, accelerators, or associations that lend legitimacy.
When funders research your business, you want them to find connections, not crickets.
Keep Showing Up — Even When You Don’t Qualify (Yet)
Just because you didn’t qualify this time doesn’t mean you won’t next.
Keep your financials clean.
Keep your client relationships strong.
Keep learning and showing progress publicly.
Credibility compounds, and when the right opportunity appears, you won’t have to “prepare” your business. You’ll already be ready.
The Bottom Line
Being labelled “unbankable” doesn’t mean your business isn’t fundable.
It just means you’re in that in-between stage — proven, but overlooked.
And that’s where credibility does its best work.
Because when funders believe in you, the numbers start to matter a lot less.
SME Funding Summit 2026 is on the Horizon!
After an inspiring 2025 summit that connected entrepreneurs, funders, and industry leaders to spark real conversations about SME growth in South Africa, we’re getting ready to make next year even bigger.
Catch the highlights from this year’s event and join the waitlist for exclusive early access to the 2026 summit.
