Nafirmy.cz

Nafirmy.cz operates as a peer-to-business (P2B) lending platform, connecting individual and institutional investors with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and sole proprietors (OSVČ) in the Czech Republic seeking financing. The company was established in March 2021 by company builder Creative Dock, with Vít Vavřinec and Martin Pejša listed as founders. The idea for the platform originated from the "Firmy sobě" initiative in the spring of 2020, which identified a need for fair and accessible loans among Czech businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The firm's business model is centered on facilitating loans for businesses that may not qualify for traditional bank financing. It utilizes a proprietary scoring model that evaluates not only financial statements but also non-financial parameters like future potential, online presence, and customer satisfaction. Companies can apply for investment or operational loans ranging from 100,000 Kč to 2 million Kč, while sole proprietors can borrow between 75,000 Kč and 1 million Kč, with repayment terms of 6 to 60 months. For its services, Nafirmy.cz charges borrowing companies a one-time fee of 3% (2% for sole proprietors) of the total loan amount. Investors, in turn, pay a commission on the interest earned from their investments.

Retail investors can participate with a minimum investment of 1,000 Kč. The platform provides various risk categories with corresponding interest rates, ranging from 4.89% to 16.99% p.a., to help investors diversify. To secure the loans, the platform requires a bill of exchange as a guarantee for all corporate loans and for sole proprietor loans exceeding 500,000 Kč. In April 2021, J&T Banka acquired a 9.1% stake for 6 million Kč and set aside hundreds of millions of crowns to back the loans on the marketplace. In a significant development, the investment crowdfunding startup Roier announced its acquisition of Nafirmy.cz in February 2024, aiming to expand its services and client base under its own license from the Czech National Bank.

Keywords: P2B lending, peer-to-business, SME financing, loan crowdfunding, Czech fintech, business loans, alternative finance, investment platform, sole proprietor loans, Creative Dock, Roier, J&T Banka, credit scoring, online lending, small business funding, debt financing, investment opportunities, financial services, Czech market, business credit