5 Best Funding Societies Alternatives for Growing Businesses
While Funding Societies is a leader in P2P lending, digital-first businesses often need more flexible, data-driven financing options.
Written by Hustlin from public information. Jenfi hasn’t joined Hustlin.
Funding Societies has become a household name in Southeast Asia for SME lending. By connecting businesses with individual and institutional investors, they have filled a massive gap in the credit market. However, as the digital economy evolves, many e-commerce and SaaS companies find that traditional debt structures—with fixed monthly repayments and personal guarantees—don't always align with their fluctuating revenue cycles.
First, what is Funding Societies?
Best for: Traditional SMEs with physical assets, predictable B2B invoices, or those requiring standard term loans.
Strengths
- Wide range of products including term loans, invoice financing, and micro-loans
- Strong presence across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam
- Established reputation with a large pool of retail and institutional investors
Where it falls short
- Most loan products require personal guarantees from directors
- Fixed monthly repayments can strain cash flow during slow sales months
- Underwriting often relies on traditional financial statements rather than real-time data
The top alternatives
- #1Top pick
Jenfi: The Revenue-Based Alternative for Digital Growth
Jenfi was built by former business owners who understood the friction of traditional lending. We focus on 'repeatable spend'—capital used for marketing, inventory, or logistics that directly leads to more revenue. Unlike traditional P2P lenders, we use a revenue-based financing model. This means your repayments fluctuate based on your sales; if you have a slow month, you pay less. We use an automated technology platform to ingest data from your sales channels and marketing platforms to make faster, more accurate funding decisions.
- No personal guarantees or collateral required for funding
- Flexible repayments that scale up or down based on your daily sales
- Fast deployment of funds via a virtual Jenfi Wallet and Mastercard
- Automated data integration with platforms like Shopify, Stripe, and Google Ads
- #2Alternative
Choco Up
A revenue-based financing platform that provides non-dilutive growth capital to e-commerce and digital startups across Asia.
Best for: E-commerce brands looking for quick capital without giving up equity.
- #3Alternative
Aspire
An all-in-one finance operating system that offers business accounts, corporate cards, and credit lines to startups.
Best for: Early-stage companies that need integrated expense management alongside a line of credit.
- #4Alternative
Validus
A financing platform that specializes in supply chain financing and working capital for SMEs working with large corporates or government entities.
Best for: B2B businesses with long payment cycles from reputable corporate buyers.
Side-by-side comparison
| Category | Jenfi | Funding Societies | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financing Model | Revenue-Based Financing | P2P Debt / Term Loans | Stronger |
| Repayment Structure | Flexible (linked to sales) | Fixed monthly installments | Stronger |
| Personal Guarantee | Not required | Typically required | Stronger |
| Underwriting Basis | Real-time digital/marketing data | Financial statements & credit scores | Neck-and-neck |
| Regional Coverage | Singapore and expanding APAC | Broad SE Asia presence | Stronger |
| Speed to Funds | Automated / Fast | Moderate (depends on investor matching) | Stronger |
Frequently asked questions
Does Jenfi take equity in my business?
No. Jenfi provides non-dilutive capital. We do not take any ownership or board seats in your company.
How is Jenfi different from a bank loan?
Banks usually require collateral and fixed payments. Jenfi uses your sales data to provide flexible funding that adjusts to your business performance.
Ready to scale your digital business?
Get a funding offer based on your revenue, not your personal assets.
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