Access to financing for SMEs and microenterprises

Short- and medium-term financing available to all businesses

Karmen democratizes access to financing for small businesses and SMEs by radically transforming the way credit is granted. Unlike traditional bank financing, which relies on outdated balance sheets, our approach is based on innovative data analyzed in real time. This methodology makes our financing solutions much more inclusive and accessible than traditional bank financing.

In concrete terms, we offer financing ranging from €10,000 to €5,000,000 via an online application that takes just a few minutes to complete. With no personal guarantee or collateral required, this option makes it easier for many SMEs that have been turned down by banks to access financing. With a fixed commission of between 0.9% and 1.1% of the total amount financed and flexible repayments over 1 to 24 months, businesses can easily manage their cash flow, with no hidden costs or long-term debt.

Customized loans for every business need

Our two products, Karmen Loan and Karmen Factor, provide relevant solutions for all of your company's working capital needs. Whether you are in the start-up or growth phase, our agility covers all SME financing challenges:

• Financing working capital requirements (WCR)
• Finance your inventory or purchases
• Advance your customer receivables through factoring, including sales on marketplaces
• Funding a marketing or acquisition budget
• Financing growth activities: recruitment, international expansion, offices, etc.

These solutions ensure cash flow availability throughout the year. Currently, two-thirds of our customers renew their loans with Karmen, demonstrating their relevance.

How does access to financing work with Karmen?

A 100% digitalized process

Karmen stands out because it does not require personal guarantees for loan approval, meaning entrepreneurs do not have to risk their personal assets. Applying for financing is simple: you fill out an online form at karmen.io in 2 minutes to test your eligibility.

Together, we can discuss and develop the financing offer that best suits your needs. Karmen will review your application within 48 hours and provide you with a personalized offer. Once accepted, the funds will be deposited directly into your business account within 48 hours.

Transparent pricing

Unlike banks, which operate with interest rates, Karmen charges a fixed commission on the total amount financed. This commission is determined in advance of the financing, based on the term of the loan and the company's risk profile. This approach makes the cost of capital much easier to understand and anticipate in your financing plan.

The financing offer is clearly detailed before any commitment is made, with no hidden fees. No borrower insurance to take out, no counter-guarantee procedure, no mandatory in-person appointments: we have eliminated all the restrictive steps.

Technology at the service of financing

Thanks to the EuropeanOpen Banking Directive, and if you grant us access, we can securely view your banking transactions in real time on a read-only basis.  This gives us a 360° view of your company's financial and operational health, enabling us to offer this 100% digital financing service. This protects us against the risk of insolvency and allows us to offer you financing that is truly tailored to your cash flow needs.

Thisdata-driven approach significantly reduces the effort required on your part to provide documentation. No need to compile countless supporting documents: technology makes it easy to access financing in just a few clicks.

Eligibility criteria:

To be eligible, your company must meet the following conditions:

• Minimum annual revenue of €300,000 over the last 12 months
• Head office registered in mainland France
• Positive equity (positive shareholders' equity)
• No partner has been subject to collective liquidation proceedings in the last 10 years.

Since 2023, and thanks to our accumulated experience, we have been able to address all types of small and medium-sized businesses, whether digitized or not, for all their needs.
However, certain sectors of activity remain excluded from our financing, notably construction, real estate, gambling, tobacco, transportation, and the automotive industry.

Key use cases for Karmen financing

Invoice financing and factoring

Factoring transforms your late payments into immediate cash flow. Many companies overcome their cash flow challenges with this solution, ensuring their operational stability. Discounting and factoring allow you to unlock your accounts receivable without waiting for payment deadlines, thereby improving your available cash flow.

Inventory financing

Short-term short-term loans allow companies to prepare for peaks in activity while preserving their cash flow. Lack of inventory is often the first obstacle to growth... Our solutions allow you to increase your inventory and product range without upsetting your liabilities.

Inventory financing can take various forms, some of which are less well known, such as inventory pledge, which offers other advantages and requires different monitoring and analysis.

Growth financing

Whether for marketing, recruitment, or international development, Karmen supports business growth. Many business leaders strengthen their market presence through advertising campaigns financed by Karmen, achieving an excellent return on investment.

Working capital and cash flow

Our loans serve as a financial buffer against unforeseen events and opportunities. Growing companies can thus free up 20 to 30% of their marketing budget, allowing them to expand their catalog and team without compromising their competitiveness.

Simplifying access to financing: our mission at Karmen

Founded to revolutionize access to business financing, Karmen responds to the observation that one in four companies struggles to obtain financing. This challenge, experienced by many entrepreneurs, led us to develop an innovative, simple, and fast technological solution. By integrating banking and operational data in real time, our solutions are flexible and adaptable to all business profiles. Simulate the impact of access to financing with Karmen!

An alternative or complementary means of accessing financing?

Faced with changing financing needs and reduced bank lending, Karmen fills the gap left by traditional banks. But beware, Karmen does not seek to replace traditional banks, but rather positions itself as a complementary solution to them.

Our approach considers your entire operating cycle: cash flow, collections, payment terms, and income statement. Unlike traditional bank loans, which only analyze your forecasts and past balance sheets, we assess the actual health of your company's cash flow on a daily basis.

Traditional financing methods such as leasing, shareholder current accounts, self-financing, and government subsidies are no longer sufficient to cover all the financing needs of growing businesses. Honor loans, business angels, and venture capital are increasingly being used to finance the development of new businesses. business angels and venture capital are mainly aimed at start-ups in the process of being created, while bank loans often require a substantial personal contribution and guarantees.

Karmen offers an alternative that intelligently complements your financing plan. Our solutions allow you to finance your operational needs without diluting your capital or dangerously increasing your outstanding debt. Whether you work with your banker, your accountant, or organizations such as Bpifrance, our loans with no hidden fees fit naturally into your business financing strategy.

Our data-driven assessment technology speeds up the application process and unlocks funds in a matter of days, whereas banks take several months. This speed allows you to optimize your cash flow, meet your deadlines, and seize growth opportunities without compromising your financial structure. Discover other levers to optimize your company's financial resources for your business.

Conclusion

Access to financing remains a crucial issue for the growth of French microbusinesses and SMEs. Faced with the difficulties of traditional bank financing, entrepreneurs need to be able to rely on modern and accessible financing solutions. Whether you need to finance your working capital, your accounts receivable through factoring, or your growth, short- and medium-term financing options offer the necessary flexibility without the burdens of traditional bank loans.

With a rating of 4.9/5 on Google, Karmen has earned the trust of over 1,000 businesses. Access to financing should no longer be an obstacle to your growth: check your eligibility in 2 minutes and find out how to accelerate your growth.