Weeks to get an answer. Months to get funded. And that’s if funding is approved. Over half of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are snubbed by traditional banks1. The rest face a painfully slow process riddled with bureaucratic red tape, hidden costs, and missed opportunities. In the end, they receive just 7% of all bank lending in MENA1. But there’s an alternative. Beehive’s digital platform beats the bank with fast, accessible, and hassle-free funding options. SMEs can check their eligibility online in minutes and get a response within days. Here are six reasons to snub the banks right back and become a Beehive success story instead.
1. Let’s get digital: faster funding, less stress
Beehive’s digital-first approach makes the funding process faster and easier by reducing paperwork and simplifying approvals. Our credit screening system leverages 10 years of expertise to assess financial information in a fraction of the time it takes traditional banks. On Beehive’s user-friendly platform, SMEs can:
-
Check eligibility online -
Apply in minutes by filling out a short form -
Submit financial documents electronically -
Skip branch visits & excessive paperwork hassles
Once SMEs upload their documents, Beehive reviews the information and gives a funding response within 7 working days. Approved business funding requests are listed on the investor marketplace for 14 days. Once the request is fully funded, money is transferred to the SME within 48 hours. Working Capital financing requests can receive funding within 24 hours of approval.
2. Easier access to business funding
Financing solutions are designed to meet the unique needs of SMEs, including those struggling to secure bank financing. Traditional banks require a strong credit history, 5-10 years of operation, and high collateral up to 150% of the financing amount2. That makes it nearly impossible for small businesses to get the funding they need when they need it most. Beehive makes financing accessible with realistic eligibility criteria.
Eligibility at a glance
|
Eligibility criteria
|
Term financing
|
Working capital finance
|
Microfinance
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Minimum operational years |
2+ Years |
2+ Years & VAT Registration |
18+ Months |
|
Annual revenue requirement |
AED 2M+ |
AED 2M+ |
AED 500,000+ |
|
Revenue % on bank statements |
80% |
80% |
80% |
|
Minimum cash cover ratio |
2.5x Monthly bank installment |
2.5x Monthly bank installment |
2.5x Monthly bank installment |
|
Debt-to-revenue limit |
20% of revenue |
20% of revenue |
20% of revenue |
|
No returned cheques (months) |
6 months |
6 months |
6 months |
|
Collateral requirement |
No |
No |
No |
|
Financial audits required |
Required for a rating (lower rates, more funding) |
Required for a rating (lower rates, more funding) |
No |
3. Less paperwork required
Beehive keeps it simple by only requesting standard documents that SMEs typically have on hand. These are required to verify the business’s legitimacy, legal status, financial track record, and ability to meet repayment commitments. Here’s what to expect:
|
Financial documents
|
Compliance documents
|
|---|---|
|
Audited financials or in-house management accounts for the most recent fiscal year, signed and stamped. |
Memorandum of Association and Articles (if applicable). |
|
Year-to-date management accounts (profit & loss and balance sheet), signed and stamped. |
Certificate of Incorporation (if applicable). |
|
Aging receivables and payables for the last two quarters. |
Holding company documents (if applicable). |
|
Last 6 months of bank statements (all business accounts). |
Trade License. |
|
VAT Certificate and screenshot of results for the previous 4 quarters. |
Ejari or Tenancy Contract of the company. |
|
Beehive Application Form: Complete all sections, sign each page, and ensure each question is answered fully and accurately. |
Proof of identity (clear, coloured copies of passport, visa, and Emirates ID) for all shareholders. Provide all copies, including for dual citizens or multiple passport holders. |
4. Tailored funding solutions to suit your business needs
One size does not fit all. Beehive offers multiple funding solutions with flexible repayment terms and no early repayment fees. SMEs can choose between Term Financing, Working Capital Financing, and Microfinancing based on their needs.
Funding options at a glance
|
Feature
|
Term financing
|
Working capital finance
|
Microfinance
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Repayment terms |
12-48 months |
30-120 days |
3-4 months |
|
Early repayment fees |
None |
None |
None |
|
Funding amount |
AED 100K - AED 2M |
Up to 80% of invoice value |
Up to AED 100,000 |
|
Interest rates |
As low As 7.85% + applicable fees |
As low as 0.9% per month + applicable fees |
Flat fee instead of compounding interest |
|
Repayment structure |
Fixed monthly payments over the term |
Short-term, invoice-based repayment |
A % of future revenue paid to investors |
|
Ideal for |
Established SMEs looking for capital to expand operations |
SMEs needing to bridge cash flow gaps |
UAE-registered SMEs needing fast, flexible funding |
5. Sharia-compliant financing options
Looking for ethical, Islamic-compliant financing? Beehive is certified by the Shariyah Review Bureau (SRB), making it the first P2P platform in the world to confirm Sharia compliance independently. Now SMEs can access alternative borrowing solutions without compromising their values. How does it work?
Beehive uses the Murabaha cost-plus profit model. Instead of lending money and charging interest (Riba), financing is structured through commodity-backed transactions. Investors purchase commodities and resell them to SMEs at a pre-agreed profit margin. SMEs then sell the commodities to access the required funds. Repayments are made in monthly installments, covering the cost plus profit. This funding method aligns with Islamic financial principles by avoiding interest, excessive risk, and speculation (Gharar).
6. Supporting MENA SMEs for over 10 years
Beehive has been driving growth in the MENA region since 2014. Over the last 10 years, the platform has funded over 28,000 financing requests and injected AED 3 billion into the economy. We’ve partnered with banks across MENA, which improves access to funding for SMEs in health care, food security, agri-tech, renewable energy, manufacturing, and technology. Regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) in UAE and by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Oman, Beehive is committed to serving the backbone of the economy. With over 15,000 registered investors, SMEs can seize opportunities and grow with fast, easy, and affordable funding from a safe and reliable source.
Key Takeaways
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Traditional Bank Challenges for SMEs: SMEs face significant hurdles with traditional banks, including time to secure the funding, hidden costs, and low approval rates. In the MENA region, SMEs receive just 7% of all bank lending, leaving over half rejected altogether. -
Fast and Accessible Funding with Beehive: Beehive’s digital platform offers hassle-free alternatives to banks. SMEs can receive funding responses within 7 working days, and access funds within 24-48 hours for approved requests. -
Tailored and Flexible Financing Solutions: Beehive offers customized funding solutions for SMEs, with flexible repayment terms and no early repayment fees. -
Sharia-Compliant Financing Option: Beehive is a certified by the Shariyah Review Bureau (SRB). Using the Murabaha cost-plus profit model, SMEs can access funds ethically while adhering to Islamic financial principles, avoiding interest and excessive risk. -
A Decade of Leadership in GCC: Over the past 10 years, Beehive has facilitated over 28,000 financing requests, injecting AED 3 billion into the MENA economy.
Past performance is not necessarily a reliable indicator of future results.
References
1World Economic Forum. “Scaling up SME Access to Finance in the MENA Region.” World Economic Forum. March 2019. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2019/03/scaling-up-sme-access-finance-mena-region/
2Shell Foundation. “MENA Enterprises: Challenges and Opportunities.” Shell Foundation. August 2024. https://shellfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/shell_foundation_mena_enterprises.pdf
