Thinking Capital is now Driven. Check out the review here.
This Thinking Capital review will go over their financial products and services and the advantages and disadvantages of using their service.
Let’s get right into our Thinking Capital review.
Why Choose Thinking Capital?
Getting business financing is not a simple task. Some lenders are reluctant to fund businesses and owners who don’t have near-perfect credit.
While you can get a business loan or line of credit from a bank, you should consider alternative lenders like Thinking Capital.
They have nearly two decades’ worth of experience financing small businesses. And they’re highly regarded for their customer service.
Thinking Capital’s primary aim is to help small businesses achieve success. As a result, they don’t place as much emphasis on your personal and business credit as they do on your company’s current health and prospective performance.
They make qualifying for their financial products simple. You can get funding whether you have poor credit or own a new business. Funding applications can be submitted at any time and from anywhere in Canada. And you can receive your business funds in less than 48 hours.
They offer business lines of credit, small business loans, and e-commerce funding. The Thinking Capital Cash Flow Advisor can also assist you if you’re looking for a way to manage your company’s cash flow.
Pros and Cons of Thinking Capital
In the next section of this Thinking Capital review, we’ll analyze the pros and cons of using their services.
The Pros
Here are some helpful parts of working with Thinking Capital.
Quick Online Application
Applying for business financing takes 10 minutes rather than days or weeks. You won’t have to fill out any papers, either.
High Rate of Approval
You can get business financing regardless of whether you have good or poor credit. They award funding based on the aspects of your business rather than your credit. If you have bad credit, you may be asked to provide a co-signer.
No Collateral Required
You won’t have to put up any collateral to be approved for business financing.
Express Funding
You’ll receive your funds within one business day or 48 hours.
Fixed and Flexible Repayments
A small business loan has fixed repayments, while a business line of credit has flexible payments.
Free and Useful Resources
They have a variety of materials available to help you learn more about business funding. This includes a blog, a knowledge center, and an online loan information section. They also have an ROI calculator you can use to determine how getting funding will affect your business, even if you aren’t a customer.
Great Customer Experience
On Trustpilot, they have a rating of nearly five stars. There are over 700 favourable reviews of Thinking Capital as of writing this review. Many customers commend the personnel for their hospitality and knowledge. Also, the efficiency with which they managed customer’s financing needs, made for an overall pleasant experience.
Monthly Credit Evaluations
With a line of credit, they assess your financing needs every 30 days to see if you require additional funding as your company grows. They may increase your credit based on your payback history, credit score, and business performance.
No Limitations on the Use of Funding
You are free to use the cash for any purpose related to your business. There are no restrictions on what you can and can’t do with their funding.
The Cons
Thinking Capital provides a great service, but there’s always room for improvement.
Not for Start-ups
If your business is less than six months old, you don’t qualify for financing from Thinking Capital.
Online Banking Required
When you apply for a business line of credit, you’ll need to link your online banking account. This will enable them to determine how much money you can borrow based on your cash flow and sales.
Undisclosed Fees
Certain costs aren’t made clear until you apply for financing.
No Better Business Bureau Ranking
Despite many Trustpilot Thinking Capital reviews, they aren’t accredited with BBB. It would be expected of a corporation that has been in business for nearly two decades to have a rating. Nonetheless, it doesn’t reflect poorly on their company. It would only give some more peace of mind when dealing with them.
Range of Products and Services
This part of our Thinking Capital review breaks down the service provider’s products, services, and relevant costs.
They provide financing to small and medium-sized businesses. Their financing options are available to almost all companies in every line of business.
Depending on your needs and your business type, you can receive a certain amount of Capital that can help you scale or cover expenses.
Also, if you want to keep track of your company’s cash flow, they have a free tool you can use.
Thinking Capital’s products and services are listed below.
Business Line of Credit
Get access to a set amount of money to help your business grow. You can use the money to pay off your creditors or pay off urgent bills. And to attract more customers to your business through targeted marketing campaigns.
They can approve a business line of credit worth up to $300,000 in as little as 24 hours. There are no setup costs involved.
Bear in mind, they may require you to provide a guarantor signature or a Notice of Assessment to borrow more than $150,000.
You can withdraw the Capital you need either as a lump sum or in installments. Every withdrawal will be treated as a separate loan.
Unlike traditional lines of credit, your ‘mini’ loans will have their own set of terms, a fixed interest rate, and a specified principal amount to repay.
The payback schedule is entirely up to you. It can be daily, weekly, or bi-weekly. They will automatically deduct repayments, including interest, from your bank account at the frequency you specify.
Your line of credit will refresh continuously. And you’ll be eligible for more credit as your business grows.
Small Business Loan
Instead of going the route of a business line of credit, you might consider getting a small business loan.
Thinking Capital Small Business Loans are approved for up to $300,000. And you won’t need to secure your loan with collateral.
You can choose between a six, nine, or twelve-month term.
The interest on your small business loan is fixed. You decide on a rate, then pay a set daily amount based on the agreed-upon interest rate and the value of your loan. Interest ranges from 8% to 22%, depending on your situation. You also have the option of making payments weekly or bi-weekly.
When applying for a loan, you’ll have to connect your business bank account, so they can assess your cash flow.
When you get this type of financing, there will be an inquiry and trade line on your business credit report.
e-Commerce Financing
Get funding for your e-commerce business without having to limit your spending to inventory purchases or marketing.
You have the option of choosing a term length of 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, or 12 months. You can make payments on a daily, weekly, or bi-weekly basis.
With e-commerce financing, there are no early payment penalties.
You can integrate Thinking Capital with any e-commerce platform or payment processor you use.
Cash Flow Advisor
It is a free finance tool for small and medium-sized business owners that can help them manage and track their cash flow. You can set business goals and receive customized reminders to help you stay on track.
The Thinking Capital Cash Flow Advisor gives you access to key metrics that can help you understand your company’s financial performance. On their platform, you’ll be able to review weekly reports and projections on the go.
You can also analyze the cash flow of all of your bank accounts in one spot if you have more than one.
How Safe and Legit is Thinking Capital?
They have been operating since 2006. Since their foundation, they have built partnerships with major financial institutions and technologies, such as CIBC, Equifax, and Meridian. Additionally, they are a founding member of the Canadian Lenders Association.
Over fifteen thousand Canadian small business owners have received funding from Thinking Capital, totalling one billion dollars.
Data is secured by 256-bit encryption and Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology when using their website. They are also VeriSign verified.
They don’t share any information entrusted to them with third-party advertising companies.
Next, in this Thinking Capital review, we look at whether their customer service is up to snuff.
Is Thinking Capital’s Customer Service and Support Good?
They provide a high standard of customer service. According to Trustpilot reviews of Thinking Capital, they deliver a straightforward, simple, and professional service.
You can reach a customer support representative via email, phone, or webchat. Their contact details and business hours are available on their contact us page.
They maintain a blog that covers topics such as growing your business and managing your cash flow.
Visit their Knowledge Center to brush up on your business financing know-how. There, you can learn about the various types of funding available for businesses, such as working capital loans and merchant cash advances.
Perhaps you’re unfamiliar with digital business financing and want to ensure you’re receiving funding the right way. In this case, Thinking Capital’s detailed overview of online loans in Canada might be an excellent place to start.
How to Get Started with Thinking Capital
As promised, this portion of our Thinking Capital review will take you step-by-step through the process of getting started with them.
Funding applications can be completed and submitted online from anywhere in Canada. According to Thinking Capital, signing up takes roughly 10 minutes. The following are the steps you’ll need to take to apply for their financial products:
- Begin on their homepage. Click the ‘apply now’ button at the top right corner of the screen.
- Fill in your personal and business details in the form, then click ‘get started’.
- Provide relevant documentation andproof of identification.
You’ll receive approval in about 24 hours, granted you meet their eligibility requirements.
If you’re interested in applying for the cash flow advisor, it involves a three-step sign-up process. You’ll need to submit your email address and connect your business bank account throughout the registration process.
Eligibility Criteria
Thinking Capital makes it easy for any business to qualify for financing. To be eligible, you must:
- Be a Canadian resident or citizen.
- Be at least over 18 or 19 years old.
- Own a Canadian-based business that’s been operating for over 6 months.
- Have a monthly revenue of at least $7,000.
- Have a business bank account.
To qualify for e-commerce funding, you must meet the abovementioned requirements and own a registered business that falls within an approved industry.
Required Documents
They’ll ask for specific documentation to verify your identity and determine the size of the loan you’re eligible for. These documents include:
- A government-issued photo ID, such as a valid passport or driver’s license
- A void cheque for direct deposits and payment deductions
- Business bank statements for a minimum of 3 months
- Signed and dated contract pages
Although these documents are the most commonly requested, they may ask for additional paperwork.
If you’re applying with a co-signer, they’ll have to submit similar documentation, excluding the bank statements.
Alternatives to Thinking Capital
If you’ve been through this Thinking Capital review and still feel that they are not the right fit for you, you could look elsewhere.
While Thinking Capital serves a wide range of firms in various industries, you might find that they don’t suit your exact requirements. Also, if you don’t meet their eligibility conditions, it’s reasonable to look into other lenders.
The alternatives to Thinking Capital are listed below.
SharpShooter Funding
An alternative small business funder, SharpShooter Funding, has been supporting businesses since 2015.
They offer a simple online application that can get you up to $300,000 in funds. Approval is contingent on your company’s health, and it can take up to 72 hours to receive financing.
While they have a considerably longer waiting period than Thinking Capital, they provide a more comprehensive range of funding options. These include working capital financing, unsecured business loans, and bridge funding.
You can also apply for financing with a five-year term. This gives them an edge over Thinking Capital’s shorter periods of 12 months. It can make substantial loan repayments much easier to pay.
SharpShooter Funding is ideal for startups. If you’ve been in business for less than six months, you can qualify for their services.
OnDeck
OnDeck has been funding small businesses for as long as Thinking Capital. They’re an award-winning lender with an A+ Better Business Bureau rating.
They offer term loans with repayment terms of up to 24 months. This is ideal if you want to spread your payments out over a longer time.
You may be eligible for a loan of up to $250,000. If you apply within business hours, your funds will be available on the same day.
A line of credit of up to $100,000 is also available. However, their interest rate is much higher than that of Thinking Capital. An OnDeck Line of Credit carries an APR of 35.9%, which varies according to the type of business.
Their product eligibility criteria are a little more stringent than Thinking Capital’s.
Your company should be in business for at least a year and have generated a minimum of $100,000 in annual revenue. They also consider your personal credit score. At the very least, it should be over 550.
They have an online application that, once completed, will connect you with a loan advisor. They will walk you through your options before you choose one of their financing solutions.
Lending Loop
Lending Loop is Canada’s first peer-to-peer funding solution.
They do things a little differently with small business financing. After you submit a short online application, investors in their digital marketplace will fund your loan.
You can receive up to $500,000 in funding with an interest rate as low as 4.96 percent. Once your loan is fully funded, they will transfer the money to your bank account.
Compared to Thinking Capital’s eligibility requirements, Lending Loop’s criteria are stricter. Your company must be operating for at least a year and have generated at least $100,000 in annual revenue. You must also have a personal credit score over 640.
Last Word on Our Thinking Capital Review
When it comes to providing funding for small and medium-sized businesses, Thinking Capital has a strong reputation.
Most businesses can get the financing they need because their eligibility criteria are more flexible compared to others.
You should consider Thinking Capital if you’re a small business owner urgently seeking financing for your company. They serve a variety of firms and provide financing alternatives you can tailor to your business.
Discover fixed & flexible financing with our Thinking Capital review, Including the pros & cons, the application process & so much more.
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