Bank Said No? No Problem. 5 Genius Ways to Fuel Your Business (Without Begging a Bank)

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: cash flow. That sneaky little monster that keeps business owners awake at 3 AM, whispering, "Psst… your account balance is looking kinda sad."

And you’re not alone—83% of Singaporean small businesses have danced the "Will I Make Payroll?" tango between 2022 and 2023. Banks? Oh, they’ll lend you money… if you’ve got the financial history of a Fortune 500 company and a time machine to fix your past mistakes.

But here’s the good news: Funding doesn’t have to be a bureaucratic nightmare. Forget groveling at the altar of traditional loans—here are 5 brilliant, bank-free ways to keep your business thriving.

1. Government Grants: Free Money (Yes, Really)

Imagine someone handing you cash and saying, "Keep it. No strings attached." (Okay, some strings—but still!)

Singapore’s government is basically that generous friend who actually Venmos you back. Check out these grants:

• Market Readiness Assistance Grant – Because "Hey, wanna expand overseas?" shouldn’t be answered with "But my wallet said no."

• Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) – Tech upgrades so slick, your competitors will weep.

• Energy Efficiency Grant – Save the planet and your overhead costs. Win-win.

• Enterprise Development Grant – Think of it as a financial steroid for growth.

  
  

Pro tip: Some grants (like PSG) deduct costs directly from vendors—meaning no paperwork purgatory.

2. Private Lenders: The "Cool Aunt" of Financing

Banks are like that strict teacher who demands three forms of signatures before lending you a pencil. Private lenders? They’re the cool aunt who slips you $50 and says, "Pay me back whenever."

• Faster approvals (No 6-month waiting period for a "maybe")

• Flexible terms (They actually listen to your business story)

• Loan Advisors like Devise – Because shopping for loans should be as easy as online dating (but with way better matches).

3. Venture Capital & Angel Investors

VCs = The Sharks (but less scary).

Angels = Rich fairy godparents.

They don’t just fund you—they elevate you. Need industry connections? Check. Strategic advice? Double-check. A reality check when your "disruptive blockchain cat café" idea gets too disruptive? Absolutely.

VCs → Big funds, bigger growth dreams.

Angels → Passionate individuals betting on you.

Beyond financial backing, these investors often provide mentorship, industry connections, and strategic guidance, which can be invaluable for business growth.

4. P2P Lending: Where Your Business Pitches to the Crowd

Think Shark Tank, but instead of Mark Cuban, it’s 500 normal people saying, "We believe in you—here’s our money."

Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending cuts out the middleman:

• Investors fund you directly.

• You pay them back with interest.

• No bank? No problem.

  
  

Perfect if your business is too "unconventional" for banks but too awesome to ignore.

5. DIY Funding: The "Bootstrap Like a Boss" Method

Sometimes, the best investor is you. (Or your suspiciously wealthy uncle.)

Self-funding perks:

• 0% interest (Take that, loan sharks).

• 100% control (No VCs telling you to pivot into NFTs).

• Instant access (No waiting—just doing).

Fun fact: Jeff Bezos started Amazon with his parents’ garage and savings. Your turn.

Final Thought: Banks Don’t Hold the Keys

Rejection from a bank isn’t the end—it’s a detour to better options. 

Whether it’s free grants, private lenders, or your own hustle, the money is out there.

At Devise, we’re like your financial GPS—helping you navigate all these options without the headache. 

Compare. Choose. Grow. No groveling is required.