How ready is your business for funding?

Understand your gaps. Organise your next steps. Approach your next opportunity better prepared.

12 questions · All questions on one page · Scorecard and email report

First, a little context.

Your business stage and funding goal shape the assessment.

What are you preparing for?

Business loanGrantInvestor fundingNot sure yet

Business stageState of operationBusiness sector

Question 1 of 12 StructureIs your business registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission?

Many formal funding routes ask for registration evidence. Check the requirements of your chosen programme.

Question 2 of 12 StructureAre your ownership records complete and current?

Your proprietor, partners, directors or shareholders should be clearly identifiable, as applicable to your structure.

Relevant owners and interests are documentedRecords exist but need updatingArrangements exist but are not documentedUnsure which records apply

Question 3 of 12 StructureDo the details match across your business documents?

Inconsistent names or ownership details can delay verification. Different addresses may need an explanation rather than a change.

Checked: the relevant details matchSome details differ and need attentionI have not checkedI do not have the records to compare

Question 4 of 12 Financial recordsHow do you receive and manage business payments?

Separate business banking helps a funder understand the business transaction history.

Active account in the registered business nameBusiness account exists, but most payments go elsewhereMostly through a personal accountMostly cash with limited banking recordsThe business has not started receiving payments

Question 5 of 12 Financial recordsCan you provide statements showing business activity?

Statement periods vary by programme. Some funders request six months; others may request longer or use startup-specific evidence.

The period requested by my funder is availableOnly part of the requested period is availableStatements exist, but I have not checked the required periodNo accessible statements showing business activityThe business is too new to have a history

Question 6 of 12 Financial recordsHow reliable are your bookkeeping records?

You should be able to explain revenue, expenses, unpaid bills and debts using supporting records.

Updated regularly and checked against supporting recordsRecords exist but some transactions are missingMostly receipts, messages or informal notesI mostly rely on memoryThe business has not started trading

Question 7 of 12 Financial recordsWhat financial reports can you provide?

The appropriate reports depend on business stage and funding route. An audit is not a universal requirement.

Current reports, professionally reviewed or audited where requiredCurrent internal reports; requirements not yet checkedReports are outdated or incompleteNo financial reports preparedUnsure which reports apply

Question 8 of 12 ComplianceHow clear are you about your tax obligations?

Tax requirements depend on the business and funding programme; uncertainty needs verification, not an assumption of noncompliance.

Applicable obligations checked and relevant records currentRegistered, but some filings or records need attentionSome documents exist; outstanding items not verifiedI have not established what appliesApplicable obligations professionally checked; non-applicable items documented

Question 9 of 12 Funding planHow clearly have you defined your funding request?

A clear budget connects the requested funding to specific business activities and outcomes.

Itemised budget, outcomes and quotations where relevantAmount and purpose known; breakdown needs workAmount decided, spending plan unclearAmount not worked outI need help deciding what funding should support

Question 10 of 12 Funding planDo you have a business plan and realistic projections?

A funder needs to understand how the business works and the assumptions behind its financial expectations.

Both current, consistent and supported by explainable assumptionsBusiness plan exists; projections missing or outdatedProjections exist; business plan needs workBoth exist but no longer reflect the businessNeither is ready

Question 11 of 12 Market evidenceWhat evidence shows that customers want your offering?

Evidence helps explain demand. The appropriate evidence differs between a startup and an established business.

Organised sales, invoices, contracts or repeat-customer evidenceEvidence exists but needs organisingEarly evidence: paid pilots, pre-orders or credible commitmentsEnquiries or interest without confirmed commitmentsCustomer demand has not been tested

Question 12 of 12 Programme fitHave you checked your chosen funding route’s conditions?

Readiness does not establish eligibility. Location, sector, age and programme conditions must be checked separately.

I understand the differences but need help choosingI know a little about the optionsI need the options and implications explained

Make your next step clear.

See your scorecard here and receive the complete preparation plan by email. No document uploads or account numbers needed.

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Your score measures preparation, not your likelihood of securing funding.

Grounded in real preparation requirements.

This general assessment draws on published funding-documentation themes. It does not replace a programme’s eligibility checks or a funder’s financial assessment. Review current requirements directly with the organisation.

Bank of Industry requirements LSETF programme requirements Africa’s Business Heroes guidance

Assessment methodology: 2026-10-v1. Source themes reviewed 23 October 2026. A score out of 100, not a percentile or lender credit score.