Partnership Invoice Finance Review
Partnership Invoice Finance is an independent provider based in Kent with over 15 years of experience. They offer one of the lowest minimum facility sizes in the market at just £20,000, making them a genuine option for smaller businesses, startups, and micro-enterprises that most providers will not consider. Their long track record and low entry point set them apart in the independent sector.
Partnership Invoice Finance is a Kent-based independent with 15-plus years of experience, offering one of the lowest minimum facilities in the market at £20,000 with advance rates around 80%.
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Summary
Partnership Invoice Finance is an independent provider based in Kent with over 15 years of experience. Its £20,000 minimum facility is one of the lowest in the market, making it a genuine option for smaller businesses, startups and micro-enterprises that most providers will not consider. Advance rates run around 80% with service charges around 1.2% and discount charges at base rate plus 3.5%.
This page covers
Partnership Invoice Finance minimum facility, advance rate, pricing and accessibility for micro-businesses
Not covered here
Mid-market and bank facilities (see /providers/), general invoice finance education (see /guides/), sector pages (see /industries/)
Key Facts
When Partnership Invoice Finance Fits
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Startups and micro-businesses turning over £100k-£300k annually
The £20k minimum facility is exceptionally low. Most factoring providers require £100k-£250k minimum turnover, pricing out early-stage businesses that Partnership specifically serves.
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Established SMEs in Kent, Sussex, and South East who value face-to-face service
Partnership's Kent base and 15-year local track record means they understand regional supply chains and can meet clients in person, unlike remote-only platforms or distant bank divisions.
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Businesses previously rejected by larger providers due to size or complexity
Independent providers can assess cases individually rather than apply automated credit scoring. Partnership's low minimum suggests they take a flexible underwriting approach suited to non-standard scenarios.
When to Look Elsewhere
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Turnover above £5m requiring multi-currency invoicing or export finance
Better fit: HSBC Invoice Finance. Banks offer integrated trade finance, foreign exchange hedging, and international credit insurance that small independents cannot match.
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Construction or recruitment firms needing specialist sector expertise and CIS handling
Better fit: Sonovate. Sonovate built platform-based services specifically for recruitment and contractor payroll, with automation Partnership's manual processes cannot replicate at scale.
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Confidential invoice discounting for businesses over £2m turnover wanting no client notification
Better fit: Close Brothers. Close Brothers operates one of the UK's largest confidential discounting books with dedicated credit control technology, whereas Partnership's low minimum suggests a factoring-led model.
How Partnership Invoice Finance Compares
| Provider | Type | Min facility | Fee from | Advance to | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IGF Invoice Finance | both | £50k | 0.5% | 90% | 3-5 days |
| Ultimate Finance | factoring | £100k | 0.75% | 85% | 5-7 days |
| Pulse Cashflow | factoring | £50k | 0.6% | 90% | 2-4 days |
vs IGF Invoice Finance: IGF requires 2.5x Partnership's minimum facility but offers regulated Small Business Commissioner-backed dispute resolution and nationwide reach.
vs Ultimate Finance: Ultimate's £100k minimum excludes the micro-business segment Partnership targets, though they provide sector-specific teams for manufacturing and distribution.
vs Pulse Cashflow: Pulse offers online portals and app-based invoice submission, whereas Partnership's 15-year legacy suggests more traditional phone and email processes.
Worked Example
A Maidstone printing company with £180k annual turnover
Setting Up With Partnership Invoice Finance
- 1
Initial assessment and documentation
Partnership reviews your last six months of invoices, debtor ledger, and Companies House filing. Given the £20k minimum, they assess businesses too small for automated credit scoring, so expect a phone discussion about your customer base and payment terms.
- 2
Credit checks on your customers
Partnership runs credit checks on your main debtors to confirm they can advance against those invoices. For micro-businesses, concentrating sales with two or three customers is common, so diversification may not be required as strictly as larger providers demand.
- 3
Agreement签署 and first drawdown
Once approved, you sign a facility agreement (typically 12-month initial term). First funds usually arrive within 48 hours of submitting your opening invoice batch. Partnership's manual processes mean same-day funding is unlikely, unlike digital platforms.
FAQs
Why is Partnership's £20k minimum so much lower than competitors?
Most invoice finance providers need economies of scale to justify credit control staff costs, setting minimums at £100k-£250k annual turnover. Partnership's 15-year independent operation and Kent base suggest lower overheads and a deliberate focus on underserved micro-businesses. This positioning fills a genuine market gap, as 2023 ABFA data shows businesses under £500k turnover account for only 11% of invoice finance facilities despite representing the majority of UK limited companies.
Does Partnership offer confidential invoice discounting or only factoring?
The £20k minimum and local independent model strongly suggest a factoring-led service where Partnership collects payments directly from your customers. Confidential discounting requires in-house credit control by the client and sophisticated monitoring systems that are rarely cost-effective below £500k turnover. If you need confidential facilities, providers like Close Brothers or Lloyds Bank Invoice Finance are better suited, though their minimums start around £1m turnover.
What sectors does Partnership typically work with in the South East?
Partnership's website and low minimum indicate they work with general trade sectors rather than specialists like recruitment or construction. Expect coverage of wholesale, printing, light manufacturing, professional services, and distribution businesses common in Kent and Sussex. If you operate in high-risk categories like recruitment agencies or IT contractors requiring Employment Allowance handling, sector specialists like Sonovate or Triver offer compliance infrastructure that generalist independents cannot match.
How does Partnership's 15-year track record compare to newer platforms?
Partnership launched around 2010, surviving the 2011-2012 credit crunch when many small factors folded. This longevity indicates sound underwriting and likely a stable client book. However, 15 years also means processes established before online portals became standard. Expect more phone and email interaction than app-based providers like Kriya or Pulse Cashflow. For businesses valuing personal relationships over technology, this can be an advantage. For fast-growing firms needing API integrations with Xero or instant drawdowns, newer platforms fit better.
Our Verdict
Partnership Invoice Finance stands out for its exceptionally low £20k minimum, which opens the door to very small businesses that would be turned away by most competitors. The 15-year track record demonstrates stability and experience. An excellent first call for micro-businesses and startups needing invoice finance.
Director, Market Invoice
Oliver leads Market Invoice's editorial and comparison research. With a background in UK commercial finance, he oversees provider analysis, rate verification, and industry reporting across all verticals.
Last reviewed: 8 April 2026