What funding advisory and financing products are available for small drinks businesses?

Members have experience with advisory firms and purchase-order financing products, though approaches vary widely.

**Advisory and financing models:** - **Retainer-based advisory firms** — Some firms charge £3–5k per month as a retainer while sourcing funding, with the retainer then deducted from the final funds raised (typically around 5% of funds raised). Members found this fee structure fairer than flat upfront payments. - **SFBO** — Members flagged this as a red flag: they request £10k upfront with a "guaranteed funding" promise, which several members felt resembled a scam.

**Purchase-order financing:** - **Treyd** — Mentioned as a viable stock-funding option. - **Ferovinum** — Also funds stock, but members warned of ghosting issues; use with caution. - **Whisky-focused financiers** — Members noted that many PO financing providers they contacted were primarily focused on whisky, so mileage may vary for other drinks categories.

**Caveats:** Members have explored PO financing over the years without concrete outcomes. Flat upfront fees (like SFBO's model) should be treated with skepticism. Retainer-based advisory tied to eventual fund-raising success appears more common in the community's experience.