It was only a matter of time: technology is now one of the most important—yet overlooked—factors influencing access to business funding.
It’s not just that lenders are using more digital tools themselves. They are also looking at how your business uses technology, and what that says about how well it’s run.
Outdated systems may already be affecting your funding profile. Disorganised data, incomplete records, and paper-based processes can raise red flags, even if your financials appear sound.
This presents a dilemma for many owners: you need funding to upgrade your systems, but increasingly, you need good systems to secure funding. So where do you start?
Why Technology Matters to Funders
In the past, securing finance was mostly about revenue, security, and serviceability. But as businesses and the economy have become more digitised, lenders are shifting how they evaluate risk.
They’re asking whether the business has clean, reliable data. Whether it is agile enough to respond to change. Whether its processes are modern and scalable.
The answers are supplied by a business’s technology. Cloud-based financials, integrated inventory systems, and digital reporting don’t just improve operations. They reflect operational capability, transparency, and readiness—and increasingly make the difference between an approved application and a stalled one.
What if You’re Not There Yet?
You may be in the middle of a shift: your systems need updating; your team is too reliant on manual processes. But upgrading takes time, money, and effort, and those aren’t always easy to spare, especially when you are already under pressure.
This is the frustrating reality for many businesses. Without modern systems, it is harder to get funded. But without funding, it is difficult to afford the upgrades.
Finance Provides Its Own Solution
The good news is that lenders are increasingly supportive of funding technology investments. Whether through working capital, asset finance, or structured loan facilities, there are ways to support your transition. Government-backed programs are also available to assist with digital modernisation.
The shift in thinking is technology is not a cost to be absorbed. It is a strategic investment in systems that will improve business performance and risk management—which in turn strengthen your case with funders.
For business owners this means you can prepare your current systems to tell a positive story about how your business operates. This is not about adopting technology for the sake of it. It is about making sure your business is positioned for growth and that the systems behind it reflect that potential.
If you are planning to apply for funding in the next twelve to eighteen months, you could start by taking stock of areas where technology could improve efficiency, reporting, or visibility. How can you close the gap now rather than waiting until it becomes an obstacle?
Even modest investments in digital tools can make a measurable difference to how funders view your readiness and your risk profile.
Final Thought
Of course, it’s not just about funding. Investing in technology is a competitive necessity for keeping staff and customers and a sustainable operation. To get there, you need to see financing as part of the solution to securing the capital you need to grow.
Technology is no longer separate from your financial picture. Funders increasingly see technology-enabled businesses as more resilient and more likely to succeed and will back that with the capital you need to future-proof your business.
By Charles Zerafa & Isabel Wu
Charles Zerafa is a senior commercial finance broker with over 30 years’ experience advising Australian businesses on funding strategy and capital structure. He works closely with CFOs, boards, and business owners to maximise their financial position, using finance not just as a tool for access to capital, but as a lever for growth, scale, and long-term performance.
This article also appeared in Edition 52 of The Bugg Report Magazine
