Overview
Applying for a payment-linked advance with SAPI is straightforward. Most applications take 10-15 minutes to complete, and you'll typically receive a decision within 24-48 hours. This guide walks you through every step from application to funding.
Before You Begin
Gather these items to speed up your application:
Business registration details (Companies House number or UTR for sole traders)
Business bank account information
Payment processor login details (for Open Banking connection)
Recent bank statements (last 3 months)
Photo ID (passport or driving licence)
Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement from last 3 months)
Step 1: Start Your Application (5-10 minutes)
Visit the Application Portal
Go to this link and click "Apply Now."
Provide Basic Business Information
You'll need to enter:
Business legal name
Trading name (if different)
Companies House registration number or UTR
Business address
Industry and business type
Monthly card payment volume (estimate)
How long you've been trading
Enter Your Personal Details
As the business owner or director:
Full name
Email address
Mobile phone number
Home address
Date of birth
Specify Funding Requirements
Amount you want to borrow (e.g., £20,000)
Purpose of funds (e.g., inventory, equipment, marketing, cash flow)
Submit Initial Application
Review your information and submit. You'll receive an email confirmation immediately.
Step 2: Connect Your Payment Account (5 minutes)
This is the most important step. SAPI assesses your application primarily based on your payment processing history.
Open Banking Connection
You'll receive an email with a secure link to connect your payment processor through Open Banking.
What is Open Banking?
Open Banking is a secure, regulated way to share your financial data. You grant SAPI read-only access to your payment processing transactions.
How to Connect
Click the secure link in your email
Select your payment processor from the list (e.g., Stripe, SumUp, Zettle, Worldpay)
Log into your payment account
Grant SAPI permission to view transaction history (typically last 12 months)
Confirm the connection
Security note: SAPI receives read-only access. We cannot make changes to your account, process transactions, or access customer payment details.
Supported Payment Providers
SAPI works with most major UK payment processors and acquirers, including:
Major Card Processors:
- Stripe (including Shopify via Stripe, Flipdish, HOPT, Yoello)
- Square
- SumUp
- Worldpay
- Zettle (via PayPal)
- iZettle (via PayPal)
Banks and Acquirers:
- Barclaycard
- Elavon
- Worldline
- First Data (FDMS)
- Global Payments
- Cardnet
- AIB Merchant Services
Hospitality and Events:
- Vivenu
- NOQ Events
- Toast UK
- Teya (formerly Iceland Solutions)
Online Marketplaces:
- Etsy (via Adyen)
- Just Eat
- Deliveroo
- Uber Eats
- Airbnb
- Booking.com
- TikTok Shop
Specialty Payment Processors:
- Adyen (excluding eBay sales)
- Checkout.com
- PayPoint
- GoCardless
- Dojo (formerly PaymentSense)
- SaltPay
- Valitor/Rapyd
- Trust Payments
- DNA Payments
- EVO Payments
- Verifone
- Streamline
- NatWest TYL (Tyl)
- Afterpay
- Clearpay
- Klarna
Industry-Specific:
- Phorest Pay (beauty/wellness)
- MindBody Payments (fitness)
- Squire (barbershops)
- Table Yeti (hospitality)
- Clubwise (fitness)
- Ashbourne Management (gyms)
- Sage Payments
- MyPay
- KodyPay
- Order YoYo
And many more - over 50 payment processors supported in total.
Can't find your provider?
If your payment processor isn't listed above, contact [email protected]. We may support it under a different name, or we can arrange manual statement upload.
Step 3: Upload Documents (5-10 minutes)
After connecting your payment account, you may need to upload supporting documents.
Commonly Required Documents
Business documents
- Certificate of Incorporation (limited companies)
- Recent business bank statements (last 3 months)
- Proof of business address
Personal documents (for directors/owners)
- Photo ID (passport or driving licence)
- Proof of residential address (dated within last 3 months)
How to Upload
Accepted formats: PDF, JPG, PNG
Maximum file size: 10MB per document
Ensure documents are clear and readable
Remove any sensitive information from other accounts if uploading bank statements
Step 4: Application Review (24-48 hours)
Once you've submitted all required information, our underwriting team reviews your application.
What We Assess
Payment processing consistency and volume
Business financial health
Repayment capacity based on revenue
Director/owner verification
Overall business viability
Possible Outcomes
Approved
You'll receive an email with your personalized offer, including advance amount, factor rate, and repayment percentage.
Approved with conditions
We may need additional information or documents before finalizing your offer.
Declined
If we can't approve your application, we'll explain why and suggest when you might reapply.
More information needed
Our team may contact you to clarify details or request additional documentation.
Response Timeframes
Standard applications: 24-48 hours
Complex applications: 3-5 business days
Applications submitted on weekends: Reviewed on next business day (Monday)
Step 5: Review Your Offer (10-15 minutes)
If approved, you'll receive a detailed offer letter by email.
Understanding Your Offer
Your offer includes:
Advance amount
The amount SAPI will transfer to your business bank account (e.g., £20,000).
Factor rate
The multiplier applied to calculate total repayment (e.g., 1.30 means you repay £1.30 for every £1.00 advanced).
Total repayable
Advance amount × factor rate (e.g., £20,000 × 1.30 = £26,000).
Repayment percentage
The percentage of daily card sales collected toward repayment (e.g., 15% means £150 collected for every £1,000 in daily card sales).
Estimated time to repay
Based on your recent average sales, how long repayment will likely take (e.g., 8-12 months).
Example Offer
Advance Amount: £20,000 Factor Rate: 1.30 Total Repayable: £26,000 Repayment Percentage: 15% Estimated Duration: 9-11 months (based on your recent average sales)
Offer Validity
Your offer is valid for 7 days. If you need more time to decide, contact us to request an extension.
Step 6: Accept Your Offer (15 minutes)
If you're satisfied with the offer:
Digital Contract Signing
Click "Accept Offer" in your email
Review the Payment-linked Advance Agreement
Ensure you understand all terms and conditions
Sign electronically using DocuSign or similar platform
If there are multiple directors, all required signatories must sign
Set Up Direct Debit
You'll be redirected to GoCardless to set up your Direct Debit mandate.
Why Direct Debit?
Daily repayments are collected automatically via Direct Debit based on your card sales. This ensures seamless, accurate repayment without manual intervention.
How to set up:
1. Enter your business bank account details
2. Confirm the Direct Debit mandate
3. Receive confirmation via email
Verification Call (if required)
Our team may call to verify details and confirm you understand the agreement. This typically takes 5-10 minutes.
Step 7: Receive Your Funds (1-2 business days)
Once all signatures and Direct Debit setup are complete:
Funds are transferred to your business bank account within 1-2 business days
You'll receive confirmation email when funds are sent
Bank transfers are typically same-day or next-day depending on processing time
What to Expect
Funding day: Monday-Friday (business days only)
Same-day funding: If completed before 2pm
Next-day funding: If completed after 2pm or on weekends
After You Receive Funding
Repayments Begin
Repayments start automatically the day after you receive funds. Each day, your repayment percentage is calculated based on previous day's card sales and collected via Direct Debit.
Monitor Your Account
To track your repayment progress:
- Monthly statements sent via email
- Contact [email protected] or call +44 20 3868 4990 for:
- Current outstanding balance
- Daily repayment history
- Estimated payoff date
- Transaction details
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I apply if I've been declined before?
A: Yes, if your circumstances have changed (e.g., increased sales, resolved credit issues). Wait at least 3-6 months before reapplying.
Q: Will applying affect my credit score?
A: We may perform soft credit checks during application, which do not affect your personal credit score. Hard credit checks (which do affect your score) are only performed if required for underwriting, and we'll inform you before conducting one.
Q: Can I cancel after accepting the offer?
A: You have a 14-day cooling-off period after receiving funds. Contact us immediately if you wish to cancel and return the full amount.
Q: What if I need more funding than offered?
A: Contact our team at [email protected]. We may be able to adjust your offer based on additional information.
Q: Can someone help me with my application?
A: Yes. Contact +44 20 3868 4990 during business hours, and our team will guide you through the process.
Need Help?
Technical issues: [email protected]
Application questions: +44 20 3868 4990
Business hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm GMT