Juice’s AI-driven lending platform is stepping up to solve one of the UK’s biggest business challenges—the £22 billion funding gap hurting small companies. As big banks retreat from SME lending, over half of small businesses now look elsewhere for support. In early 2024, gross lending from major banks dropped by £1.3 billion, according to the British Business Bank. Nearly 8 in 10 brokers also say banks have pulled back on SME loans.
This sharp drop in lending is forcing policymakers to act. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already scheduled talks with top lenders. She wants to ease the squeeze on founders trying to stay afloat in a shaky economy. But while meetings happen behind closed doors, entrepreneurs need real capital—urgently.
Juice is delivering just that. The fintech just raised £25 million from Paragon Bank, Aern Capital, and Falco Capital. The fresh funding, supported by a Paragon credit line, will help more founders grow without delay. Juice is giving business owners not just money—but confidence.
Katherine Chan, Juice’s CEO, sees this as a turning point. Rather than chasing old-school credit checks, Juice uses real-time business data. Its AI lending engine makes fast, fair decisions based on performance, not paperwork. That means founders can move quickly, even during tough market cycles.
Traditional finance often moves too slowly for today’s digital-first startups. With Juice’s AI-driven lending, founders get access to working capital without giving up equity or jumping through hoops. The system learns and adapts, improving credit decisions with every customer.
What makes Juice stand out is its focus on real results. The platform doesn’t just approve loans—it helps businesses grow smarter. It’s already landed a spot on the Deloitte Tech Fast 50. Now, with this new funding, Juice plans to reach more underserved founders across the UK.
The fintech also plans to strengthen its partnerships with banks and other financial providers. While many lenders focus on risk, Juice focuses on opportunity. Its AI-driven credit lines are tailored to what each business actually needs—without the red tape.
Juice’s AI-driven lending platform is more than just a tech tool. It’s a sign of how the future of finance is shifting. Fast, flexible, and founder-friendly—this is what small businesses need now more than ever.
