Royal Fields Finance (RFF) is a reputable BBBEE Level 2 empowered company that was established to ease liquidity problems faced by SME’s in South Africa. RFF provides debt funding to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that are unable to access bank or Development Finance Institution (DFI) capital.
They offer business development services in deserving circumstances.
Royal Fields Finance
Royal Fields Finance is a successful and prominent private company that was started in March 2009 to provide specialised short-term funding to SMEs and start-up ventures. Over the years they have helped clients achieve financial success, whilst creating jobs and driving socio-economic advancement.
The company focuses on SMEs that are unable to raise funding from banks and other traditional funding institutions because of lack of trading history, security and risk capital. Royal Fields Finance is 95% black-owned and a Level 2 BEE contributor in terms of the DTI codes.
The company provides short-term loans of values between R70k and R2.5m. They fund businesses across a wide array of different sectors. The company provides specialised short-term funding to SMEs at quick turnaround times. It takes us 10 – 14 days to provide funding to SMEs.
Given the reliance on project finance principles, the company is able to provide high value loans to SMEs well in excess of what the SME’s balance sheet funding would permit. This is critical for SMEs that wish to undertake high value transactions or exploit sudden high growth opportunities. Short term funding is also ideal for SMEs that need urgent financial assistance to relieve temporary cash flow problems.
The company also ensures that the application process is both streamlined and easy to comply with. Where warranted, assistance is provided to applicants when compiling their applications. The company provides business support services (albeit on a limited basis) to ensure the success and sustainability of its SME clients.
Through passion and innovation, the company is able to extend funding to start-up ventures as well. Unlike traditional funding institutions, Royal Fields Finance provides in many instances 100% funding to SMEs, without requiring risk capital contributions. The company has structured its information requirements in such a manner so as to enable compliance by SMEs e.g., where an SME is unable to provide management accounts or annual financial statements, they rely on bank statements to assess financial performance.
Services
The company provides specialised short-term funding covering project specific finance, supply chain finance, bridging finance, invoice discounting and working capital.
Short term funding is especially suited to funding SMEs with low and intermittent cash flow. This funding also plays a great role in bridging the finance gap in economies where there is a lack of angel investors and venture capital.
The adoption of both specialised finance and project finance principles makes it possible for Royal Fields Finance to provide finance to SMEs at levels higher than balance sheet funding would normally permit. Their competitive advantage is quick turnaround time and solution driven approach.
1. Working Capital
This facility is provided to small businesses temporarily in need of cash. The borrower must demonstrate cash flow (i.e. tenders, contracts, etc) out of which the facility will be repaid. As a consequence, this facility will only be available to businesses that demonstrate determinable future cash flows to repay the facility.
2. Bridging Finance
This is a short-term loan (usually 1 – 6 months) intended to bridge the finance gap between transactions. The loan is especially useful where the borrower is expecting funds in the short term but requires intermediate funding.
3. Contract / Project Finance
This facility is intended for borrowers with public / private sector contracts to provide goods and/or services. The facility provides working capital that can be utilised to cover the cost associated with fulfilling the contract. A borrower MUST be in possession of a contract in order to access this funding.
4. Trade Finance
Royal Fields Finance can provide short-term funding for the importation of goods into South Africa. If required, they can also assist in mitigating the risk of importing these goods.
5. Asset Finance
Asset Finance products are intended to cover the following business needs:
- IT and office automation – e.g. computers, printers, servers
- Plant and machinery
- Delivery vehicles
- Office Furniture
Asset Finance is offered in several forms, with the primary objective of providing an affordable solution and preserving the cash flow of SMEs
Enterprise Development Programme
In line with global best practices, the Enterprise Development Programme is designed to assist SME businesses improve enterprise performance, achieve operational and financial self-sufficiency, grow and create value and jobs.
Criteria
The Programme targets high growth SMEs run by high impact entrepreneurs. The qualifying criteria include:
- The SME must be in business for at least 1 year, except for start-up innovation driven businesses;
- Annual turnover less than R60m;
- High growth businesses – potential to grow turnover by 20% annually;
- The business must be in one of the growth sectors – i.e. infrastructure development, manufacturing, telecommunications, tourism, clean and renewable energy, waste management and agribusiness;
- The business must have an ability to create at least 5 permanent jobs over 3 years;
- The business plan must demonstrate ability to achieve the following milestones:
- breakeven in 2 years and start generating profit;
- Projected turnover of at least R20m after 3 years, except lesser turnover in Agri and Tourism sectors.
- Owners/management must demonstrate:
- sound understanding of the both the business and the relevant industry;
- entrepreneurial flair and great vision.
The Programme offers the following services:
- Entrepreneurship course at the University of Witwatersrand;
- Business assessment and assistance with developing a growth strategy;
- Mentoring and coaching;
- Provision of networking opportunities;
- Assistance with financial planning and financial management;
- Assistance with regulatory and legal compliance;
- Links to strategic partners;
- Sector specific technical support including project management, quantity surveying and engineering services, etc;
- Funding.
RFF’s target market is small and medium enterprises with annual turnovers less than R60 million that require funding between R70 000.00 and R2,5 million.
Whilst they focus on funding SMEs playing in all sectors of the economy, their emphasis is on identifying high growth businesses in the strategic sectors of the economy. These include:
- Infrastructure;
- Manufacturing;
- Small scale farming;
- Renewable and clean energy; and
- Telecommunications.
At DTC we understand the complexities of the various funding agencies and the unique application criteria for each. We have assisted thousands of entrepreneurs through the application process to access funding for businesses, and we can assist you with the same.
Contact us for more information on funding through the Royal Fields Finance.