Five top direct lending platforms for SMEs have been announced as finalists in the Direct Lending Platform of the Year category of the first-ever Growth Finance Awards, sponsored by RW Blears Solicitors.

The Growth Finance Awards launched this year in order to celebrate the companies providing “more than finance” to the UK’s growing businesses. It’s the first event of its kind, celebrating the innovative organisations breathing optimism into all regions of the UK by helping ambitious SMEs to scale new heights. These growth champions provide the vital capital inflows – around £79.7 billion last year – that help thousands of businesses to scale-up, boost productivity and create new jobs up and down the country.

 Sponsored by RW Blears Solicitors, the Direct Lending Platform of the Yearaward celebrates companies providing a growth finance product or service that has delivered a clear and demonstrable business impact over the past 12 months. Five direct lenders will compete for the award, including: ArchOver, CORDET, TradeRiver UK, Invocap and 365 Business Finance.

The winner of this award will be announced at an exclusive black-tie dinner hosted by Claudia Winkleman for 400 guests on Wednesday 11 September at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.

“We launched the Growth Finance Awards in order to recognise the champions of small business finance. We’re celebrating 45 companies who are playing a vital role in the UK’s start-up and scale-up up ecosystem, championing and providing finance so that companies can realise their growth ambitions and reach their full potential,” says Guy Tolhurst, Managing Director of Intelligent Partnership, the company behind the awards.

He adds: “I look forward to shining a much-needed spotlight on all of these providers on 11 September at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. To reach the finalist stage among such a stand-out set of entrants is a huge achievement.”

The finalists will now go on to a second round of judging by a panel of 28 independent and expert judges drawn from across the industry. The full list of categories can be viewed here.

For further information please visit growthfinanceawards.com