Valiant Finance hits $2.5bn milestone in business loans

Valiant Finance has achieved a significant milestone by facilitating more than $2.5 billion in business loans since its inception in 2015.

This achievement underlines a shift in the financial sector, where Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) increasingly turn to alternative lending solutions as traditional banks tighten their lending standards.

Reflecting this trend, the overall alternative lending market in Australia is on a strong growth trajectory, projected to reach USD11.3 billion by 2028.

Empowering SMEs across industries

Valiant, an Australian platform that streamlines business finance by connecting companies with more than 80 top lenders, has supported more than 20,000 SMEs in securing necessary funding, demonstrating its commitment to businesses at various growth stages.

Valiant offers diverse financial products tailored to unique industry needs—from start-ups needing seed capital to mature enterprises looking to expand.

As of June 2024, there were more than 2.6 million businesses in Australia, an increase of about 2.8% from the previous year, with small businesses making up roughly 97% of all businesses in Australia.

“Reaching $2.5 billion in loans written is more than just a number—it represents tens of thousands of Australian businesses who have found funding solutions when they needed it most,” said Alex Molloy (pictured left), co-founder of Valiant Finance.

Adapting to market needs

The company’s success reflects broader trends in the business environment, where SMEs seek flexible funding sources beyond traditional banking.

Industries such as hospitality, construction, professional services, logistics, and retail have benefited from Valiant’s ability to match businesses with lenders that understand their specific challenges and growth opportunities.

“There’s no doubt been a shift in demand from business owners for more flexible financing options than traditional banks can offer,” said Ritchie Cotton (pictured right), co-founder of Valiant Finance.

Growth and future outlook

Despite economic challenges, Valiant continues to see strong demand for business loans, with significant increases in settlements driving this demand.

“It took us 70 months to get to $1bn in loans settled and just 28 months to get from $1.5bn to $2.5bn,” Molloy said.

This acceleration highlights the effectiveness of their strategy in improving business “financeability” and understanding market dynamics.