The Challenge

Cartoonsoul Pte Ltd is a Singapore-based retail store that had recently invested in running a major marketing campaign on Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu. The campaign ended up being a success, sparking a sudden surge in demand for their collectable cartoon products.

With customers walking in ready to buy, the business needed quick funding to purchase supplies in bulk and keep up with demand. But accessing finance was anything but easy.

Funding Roadblocks

Despite the strong demand and clear commercial opportunity, Cartoonsoul faced repeated rejections from other lenders.

The three main reasons why were:

  1. Foreign ownership: The business has a 95% foreign shareholding, which many traditional lenders saw as a risk factor and grounds for exclusion.
  2. Guarantor conditions: The 5% of local shareholders were not personal guarantors, further limiting options with conventional banks and non-bank lenders alike.
  3. Perceived industry risk: Retail is often viewed as high risk in Singapore’s credit environment, especially brick-and-mortar stores, which are frequently assumed to be in decline compared with ecommerce-based businesses.  

The Bizcap Difference

That’s where Bizcap came in.

While other lenders focused on structural limitations, Bizcap looked at the bigger picture. Our team assessed Cartoonsoul’s situation holistically, acknowledging the spike in demand, the urgency of the opportunity, and the short-term working capital need.

Instead of taking a rigid approach to foreign ownership or guarantor structure, we evaluated the full context to ensure the business was well-positioned to service the loan.  We then moved quickly and methodically to review and understand the business's current funding requirements.

We approved a Fast Business Loan of $110,000, and released funds without delay.

But the story didn’t stop there.

After six weeks of consistent, timely repayments and continued strong demand, when further inventory was required, we supported their next phase with a $27,000 top-up, allowing them to further capitalise on the campaign's success. A great example of how we build long-lasting relationships that provide ongoing value for customers.

“The entire loan application process with Bizcap was fast and seamless. They got me the funds I needed quickly.”

The Outcome

With funding secured, Cartoonsoul was able to place an immediate order with their suppliers and restock inventory. The timing was critical. By acting quickly, the business maintained momentum from their social media campaign, kept their shelves fully stocked, and continued serving new customers without disruption. The result? A clear boost in revenue and a smooth customer experience that strengthened their place in the market.

What could have easily been a missed opportunity became a success story, powered by the ability to act quickly and strategically.

Why It Matters

Cartoonsoul’s story reflects the challenges many Singaporean SMEs face: strong businesses, when faced with opportunities to increase revenue, often struggle to access the support they need from traditional lenders. Ownership structures, guarantor requirements, and outdated industry assumptions can all become roadblocks.

At Bizcap, we do things differently. We assess each business on its own merits—looking beyond surface-level criteria to understand the opportunity and offer solutions that make sense.

If your business needs a lender who takes the time to listen, contact our team today.