Access to credit remains one of the biggest challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Brazil, especially given 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 grew, and a lot, with emphasis on SMEs, which registered a 13.1% increase in requests compared to the previous year, according to the Serasa Experian Credit Demand Indicator.
Additionally, the opening of 1.46 million companies in the second four months 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, 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, such as the national average of 42.49% for microenterprises in 2024, and the requirement for guarantees, which make it difficult to access financing from traditional banks. From then on, a series of other additional problems arise, such as 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-sized businesses.
An example is M3 Lending from Minas, which 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 seize advantageous market opportunities," explains Gabriel César, CEO of the fintech.
The platform operates efficiently: interested companies input their data and documents online, and M3 conducts a detailed credit analysis. If approved, the offer is presented to investors, who have up to seven days to decide on the contribution. The available amounts range from R$ 50,000 to R$ 500,000, with interest rates starting at 1.4% per month and repayment terms of up to 24 months.
César highlights that many entrepreneurs give up their businesses due to the unfavorable conditions offered by traditional institutions. "High interest rates and requirements such as collateral commitments compromise the viability of small businesses and put entrepreneurs' personal assets at risk," warns.
In addition to competitive rates, the fintech aims to balance the risk and return relationship, offering an average return of 2.8% per month to investors. "This model creates a positive cycle: investors receive above-average returns, while companies gain access to more affordable credit to grow and strengthen their operations," explains the CEO.
It is an incentive for 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, which are fundamental to the growth of the Brazilian economy," says César. "After all, they are responsible for more than 52% of formal jobs in the private sector," he concludes.
