Access to credit remains one of the biggest challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Brazil, especially in light of the high demand for working capital and investments in an increasingly competitive market.
Proof of this is that in 2024, the demand for business credit has grown, and very, with a focus on SMEs, that recorded an increase of 13,1% in requests compared to the previous year, according to the Credit Demand Indicator from Serasa Experian.
Additionally, the opening of 1,46 million companies in the second quadrimester of 2024, according to the Federal Government's Business Map Bulletin, and the closure of 830 thousand companies in the same period, 11,7% above 2023, also reflects the dynamism of the market, the high competitiveness and the difficulty of maintaining sustainable operations without easy access to financial resources.
Among the main barriers they face are high interest rates, like the national average of 42,49% for microenterprises in 2024, and the requirement for guarantees makes access to financing in traditional banks difficult. From there, a series of other additional problems arise, how high default rates, bureaucratic difficulties and limitations in traditional credit analysis.
It was precisely this scenario that motivated the emergence of innovative solutions in the financial market: companies that use technology to offer more accessible and effective models, making credit more inclusive for small and medium businesses.
An example is M3 Lending, from Minas, that offers credit with interest rates 22% lower than those practiced by conventional banks, in addition to providing a digital and streamlined experience. "Our mission is to facilitate access to credit for established companies", allowing them to invest in new projects or take advantage of favorable opportunities in the market, explain Gabriel César, CEO of the fintech.
The platform operates efficiently: interested companies enter their data and documents online, and M3 performs a detailed credit analysis. If approved, the offer is presented to investors, that have up to seven days to decide on the investment. The available amounts range from R$ 50 thousand to R$ 500 thousand, with interest rates starting at 1,4% per month and payment terms of up to 24 months.
César highlights that many entrepreneurs give up on their businesses due to the unfavorable conditions offered by traditional institutions. "High interest rates and requirements such as asset guarantees compromise the viability of small businesses and put the personal assets of entrepreneurs at risk", alert.
In addition to competitive rates, a fintech seeks to balance the relationship between risk and return, offering an average return of 2,8% per month for investors. "This model creates a positive cycle: investors have returns above average", while companies can access more affordable credit to grow and strengthen their operations, explain the CEO.
It is a stimulus to economic growth. With easier access to credit, SMEs can invest in projects that expand their businesses and generate direct economic impact. "Our goal is precisely to promote the development of these companies", fundamental for the growth of the Brazilian economy, says César. "After all, they are responsible for more than 52% of formal jobs in the private sector, concludes.
