With plans to offer R$ 50 million in credit in 2025, M3 Lending conducted a survey of its database to identify what is driving companies to seek financing. The startup found that the vast majority of reasons relate to the search for working capital.
Companies are seeking fintech to obtain resources to be applied to the purchase of new inventory (20%), opening new units (25%), expanding current facilities (15%), and expanding operations (40%). "Thus, these are companies seeking credit for growth, for working capital, and not to pay off debts, for example," emphasizes M3's CEO, Gabriel Sousa César.
In this way, the fintech company can offer better credit conditions – even compared to conventional banks. For the same case, the amount made available can be more than 50% higher than what a traditional financial institution would offer, calculates the CEO. M3 also has a special focus on small and medium-sized enterprises.
Due to its intensive use of technology, the fintech company applies a differentiated methodology for granting credit, which enables more advantageous conditions. The entire process is digital, through an app. "This allows for operations without bureaucracy, therefore with lower costs, which means lower interest rates and zero bank spread," emphasizes César.
For companies seeking credit, the first step is to submit information about the application, which is analyzed by an M3 credit committee. Once the application and its conditions are approved, the startup connects the company with investors interested in providing financing. After securing the necessary funding, the loan is granted.
On the other hand, investors also benefit from agility. Through the M3 app, they evaluate available opportunities and make their choice. When the chosen company has its credit approved, investors begin to receive payments based on the installments paid by the company itself.
A digital simulator, available on the M3 website or app, allows companies to understand their credit possibilities. Investors are not required to invest a large amount of capital: investments can begin with just R$ 250.
Currently, there are already more than 2,000 people connected to M3, both as borrowers and investors, reports the CEO. "It's a more inclusive financing model, connecting, on one hand, those who need working capital, and on the other, those who intend to invest, contributing to the growth of companies."
M3 was founded in 2021 in Minas Gerais (Belo Horizonte). By 2029, it projects reaching R$ 600 million in transactions.
