For business owners in the UK and US, securing funding can feel like running uphill through treacle. You’ve got the ambition, the growth plan, and the drive — but when it comes to raising the capital to make it happen, doors start closing.
At Station Hill Capital, we see these challenges daily. Our unique position, with access to over 1,000 lenders across both private and institutional channels, gives us a front-row seat to the real reasons funding requests fail — and more importantly, how to solve them.
Let’s break down the top three reasons business owners are turned away and how Station Hill Capital can help turn things around.
1. Too Low a Business Credit Score
You might be running a profitable business with solid cash flow, but if your credit score is poor or hasn’t been properly built, lenders won’t bite. Many owners don’t realise how much weight lenders place on this number — and how easy it is to neglect.
At Station Hill Capital, we guide you through understanding, improving, and presenting your business credit in a lender-friendly way. This might include restructuring liabilities, fixing outdated filings, or even credit repair services. You’re not alone — but you do need the right support to navigate the maze.
2. Asking for Too Much, Too Soon
A common mistake is requesting a loan amount that far exceeds what your business revenues can realistically support. Lenders aren’t just looking at what you want — they focus on what your financial history says you can handle. Asking for too much can not only get your application declined, but it can also damage your profile for future applications.
We work with you to analyse your accounts and forecast capacity properly — often combining multiple finance strategies (like tiered lending or revenue-based finance) to help you get what you need, without scaring lenders off.
3. Waiting Too Long to Apply
Timing is everything. Too many businesses wait until cash flow is tight, suppliers are knocking, or growth opportunities are slipping away before they make a funding application. By then, your negotiating position is weak — and lenders know it. Desperation leads to worse terms or, worse, rejections.
With Station Hill Capital, we encourage a proactive approach. Our advisors help you plan funding rounds in advance, prepare documentation, and get you in front of the right lenders — before the pressure hits. It’s about securing the best deal, not just any deal.
The Bottom Line?
The finance market hasn’t dried up — but the way through it has changed. Traditional lenders have tightened the reins, while alternative lenders are booming — if you know where to look.
At Station Hill Capital, we don’t just match you with lenders. We act as your strategic partner, smoothing out your application, boosting your profile, and helping you avoid the pitfalls that stop so many business owners from getting funded.
Whether you’re expanding, consolidating, or just stabilising — we’re here to help.