Interim financing for businesses: Bridge loans for fast liquidity

Key takeaways

• Interim financing is a short-term loan that bridges liquidity gaps until long-term loans or expected revenue become available.
• Since interim financing is only intended for bridging purposes, the term is usually short, typically ranging between a few weeks and a maximum of two years.
• Interest rates for interim financing are often 1–5 percentage points higher than those for long-term financing, as the amortization period is strictly limited and they are generally riskier for lenders.

Definition: What is interim financing?

Interim financing is a type of bridge financing and is therefore also referred to as a bridge loan or bridging credit. It is a short-term financing solution that companies use to close liquidity gaps until committed funds or expected income become available. This short-term interim financing is used, among other things, when long-term financing has already been secured but has not yet been paid out. With short terms ranging from weeks to a maximum of two years, it offers companies the necessary flexibility to bridge financial bottlenecks and drive projects forward without delay. Since interim financing has the character of a bullet loan, repayment usually occurs at the end of the term‍

‍Examples: Interim financing in a company

• Interim financing for a growing start-up: A tech start-up has successfully closed a funding round, but the committed funds will not be paid out for another three months. To avoid slowing down strong growth, new developers need to be hired and marketing measures brought forward. With the help of interim financing, the start-up can make these investments immediately and close the funding gap until the capital from the funding round is available.
• Interim financing for a major project: A mechanical engineering company has received a large order for which it must procure materials and components. However, payment by the customer will only be made after the project is completed. To start production immediately, the company uses interim financing. This allows it to finance the necessary resources and implement the project on schedule until the customer payment is received.

Alternatives to interim financing

‍If your company needs short-term liquidity but does not want to take out interim financing, there are various alternatives to avoid payment bottlenecks. The following solutions are emergency measures that can help quickly with liquidity problems:

• Overdraft facility: Short-term overdrawing of the business account to cover current payment obligations such as rent, wages, or invoices. While this solution is fast and flexible, it should be well-planned due to the usually high interest rates.
• Factoring: Selling open invoices to a service provider to receive immediate liquidity. This is particularly useful if customers have long payment terms and you need funds at short notice to meet liabilities. Factoring also reduces the risk of payment defaults.
• Sale-and-lease-back: Selling an asset—such as a machine or vehicle—in order to lease it back. This allows you to free up capital without giving up important resources.
• Supplier credit: The option to purchase goods or services on account and pay only after an agreed period. This solution is often interest-free but can incur additional costs through lost cash discounts or late payments.

Tip: Monitor your liquidity in real-time with a liquidity management tool like Tidely. This allows you to identify bottlenecks early and take targeted countermeasures. The earlier you plan your financing, the more professional your company appears—which improves your chances of getting a loan and can positively influence the terms.

“With Tidely, we have reduced our weekly time spent on financial administration from four to five hours to just one hour. The financial clarity gained has allowed me to make informed decisions and sleep soundly. Tidely has helped us plan our scaling and significantly strengthened our bank's trust. Thanks to the clear overview, we were able to avoid negative surprises and handle incoming invoices stress-free.” Dennis Balzer, CEO of BETTER BE BOLD

The difference between pre-financing and interim financing

Pre-financing and interim financing are both types of bridge financing. They differ significantly in purpose and the certainty of the repayment funds. Pre-financing covers costs before revenue or final financing is contractually secured. It therefore carries a higher risk, as the timing and availability of the repayment funds remain uncertain. Interim financing, on the other hand, bridges liquidity gaps when the final financing is already confirmed but not yet available. The repayment date is clearly defined here.

When does interim financing make sense? Typical situations for companies

Interim financing is particularly necessary for companies when short-term liquidity bottlenecks arise and financial flexibility needs to be maintained. We have summarized some typical application scenarios here:

• Payment gaps due to late invoices: Outstanding receivables that are not settled by customers on time can strain liquidity. Interim financing provides a remedy here by making the necessary liquidity available at short notice.
• Advance payments for projects: Companies often have to make advance payments, e.g., for material purchases or services. A bridge loan can finance this phase until customers make the previously promised payments.
• Bridging grant disbursements: If a company is waiting for approved grants but they are delayed, interim financing can provide the necessary funds to implement projects as planned.
• Seasonal fluctuations: In industries like retail, interim financing can help bridge liquidity gaps and keep business operations stable during low-revenue periods.
• Bridging until long-term financing: Companies in negotiations for a long-term loan can use an interim loan to temporarily secure the necessary funds until the final financing is paid out.
• Financing via asset sales: If capital from the sale of assets like machinery or real estate is not available in time, interim financing can cover the period until the sales proceeds are received.
• Increasing existing financing: If it turns out that an ongoing project is becoming more expensive than planned, a bridge loan can serve as a supplement to cover the additional capital requirement.

Liquidity bottlenecks are among the most common causes of corporate insolvencies, which could be avoided through proactive planning. This topic is highly topical, as in 2024 the number of company insolvencies reached a record high according to the Federal Statistical Office and increased by 16.8% compared to the previous year—the highest level since 2015. Experts expect this trend to continue in 2025 and potentially reach levels seen after the 2009 financial crisis!

To avoid liquidity bottlenecks, a real-time overview of your finances is crucial. With Tidely, you get exactly that: transparency and control. Book an appointment now for a short meeting with our product experts. Within 10 to 20 minutes, we will analyze your requirements and answer your questions. Afterward, you can test Tidely for 7 days free of charge and without obligation. Schedule an appointment now!

‍How much does interim financing cost for companies?

The costs of interim financing vary depending on the individual situation and depend on several factors. Key influencing factors include:

• Loan amount and term: The higher the financing amount and the longer the term of the interim financing, the more interest will accrue. At the same time, longer terms also increase the total costs due to additional interest payments.
• Creditworthiness: Companies with good credit ratings generally benefit from more favorable terms for interim financing, as the risk for the lender is lower. Conversely, a poorer credit rating can lead to higher interest rates and potential risk premiums.
• Contract structure: Flexible terms and variable interest rates offer adjustment options but can result in higher costs. Fixed-interest agreements, on the other hand, usually make the financing easier to plan.
• Collateral: If there is reliable evidence of the imminent availability of capital—such as approved subsidies, committed long-term financing, or expected incoming payments from customer orders—risk premiums can be reduced and terms significantly improved.

Since the terms of interim financing are relatively short, interest rates are often 1 to 5 percentage points higher than those for long-term financing. This reflects the increased risk for the lender, as the amortization period is strictly limited. In addition, processing fees, account audit costs, and administrative expenses may apply, which should be taken into account in the total cost calculation. Depending on the lender, another advantage of interim financing can be the option of early repayment. This means: If the expected capital becomes available sooner, companies can pay off the financing and thus significantly reduce the total costs. H2: How does interim financing work – step by step? Interim financing can usually be applied for quickly and easily to close liquidity gaps promptly and efficiently. The application for interim financing takes place in five steps:

1. Determine requirements: First, determine how much capital is needed and how long the financing gap is expected to last. Analyze exactly which costs need to be covered and when repayment can realistically take place.
2. Choose a financing solution: Compare providers and choose the interim financing with the best terms. Pay attention to interest rates, terms, and flexibility. Providers can be banks, credit institutions, or specialized financial service providers.
3. Review by the lender: The lender evaluates your creditworthiness, risk, and collateral. This can include, for example, outstanding revenue, approved subsidies, or planned cash inflows.
4. Loan approval and disbursement: After a positive assessment, the financing is provided. Your company receives the required sum to make investments, advance payments, or meet other financial obligations.
5. Plan repayment: Develop a strategy for repaying the loan, including interest payments. Repayment is often bullet-style—meaning the entire loan amount plus interest is paid in one lump sum at the end of the term. The funds for this usually come from expected revenue or long-term financing.

Tidely offers its customers exclusive terms for interim financing in cooperation with Banxware as the lender. With this instant financing, you can have access to €250,000 as early as tomorrow! As a Tidely customer, you benefit from more than just good conditions for interim financing. The liquidity management tool offers you full transparency over your company's finances and strengthens the trust of your banks—an important factor for better financing terms. In addition, you can use Tidely to create a comprehensive cash flow report with a single click that meets all the requirements for financing requests.Test Tidely for free now and request your trial access: Request trial access now!

‍Pros and cons of interim financing

Interim financing offers an effective solution for short-term liquidity problems with high flexibility and ease of use. However, it is associated with higher costs and specific risks that require precise planning and a clear repayment strategy. An overview of the pros and cons:

Pros

Rapid liquidity: Capital is provided at short notice to bridge financial bottlenecks quickly and efficiently.

Simple processing: Application and disbursement are significantly simpler and faster than with long-term financing.

Adherence to project plans: Interim financing makes it possible to advance important projects without delay, even if the planned capital is not yet available.

High flexibility: Can be used for a wide variety of projects, e.g., bridging or seasonal fluctuations.

Simple repayment: Repayment is made as a lump sum at the end of the term or early as soon as the expected capital is available.

Cons

Higher interest costs: Interest rates are often 1 to 5 percentage points higher than those for long-term financing, which increases total costs.

Limited terms: The short term requires precise planning and rapid repayment, which can create entrepreneurial pressure.

Limited scope of application: Interim financing is suitable exclusively for short-term purposes (max. 2 years) and is intended only for bridging.

Dependence on expected funds: Delays or shortfalls in long-term financing or planned revenue can cause significant problems for repayment.

Planning risk: Inaccurate calculations or unforeseen changes can cause financial bottlenecks or excessive strain on liquidity.

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Liquiditätsengpässe vermeiden und Zwischenfinanzierung planen – so einfach geht’s mit Tidely

Mit Tidely erhältst Du eine umfassende Lösung für Dein Liquiditätsmanagement, die Dir nicht nur dabei hilft, kurzfristige Liquiditätsengpässe zu vermeiden, sondern auch Dein Unternehmen langfristig stabil aufzustellen und zu skalieren. Mit Tidely kannst Du all Deine Bankkonten und Buchhaltungssysteme mühelos verknüpfen. Innerhalb von nur 30 Minuten erhältst Du erste Einblicke sowie einen tagesaktuellen Echtzeit-Überblick über Deine finanzielle Situation – automatisiert und ohne den Aufwand manueller Excel-Listen oder aufwendiger Copy-Paste-Arbeiten.

Dank des neuen KI-Forecasts und Szenarioanalysen kannst Du präzise vorhersagen, wann Kapital benötigt wird, und gezielt planen, was passiert, wenn eine Finanzierung später eintrifft. Mit den integrierten Tools zur Kostenoptimierung und -analyse behältst Du stets die Kontrolle über Deine wichtigsten Finanz-KPIs und kannst Berichte einfach im PDF- oder Excel-Format generieren.

Besonders für Unternehmen, die Zwischenfinanzierungen in Anspruch nehmen möchten, bietet Tidely wertvolle Unterstützung. Die Software zeigt auf, wann und wie viel Kapital benötigt wird, und ermöglicht eine effiziente Planung der Rückzahlung. Die Automatisierung schafft Transparenz und stärkt das Vertrauen Deiner Banken – ein entscheidender Vorteil für bessere Finanzierungskonditionen. Die benötigten Dokumente wie einen detaillierten Cashflow Forecast kannst Du in Tidely mit nur einem Klick herunterladen.

„Dank Tidely konnten wir die Finanzierung für unseren ‚Höhle der Löwen‘-Auftritt problemlos meistern. Die präzise Liquiditätsplanung half uns, den Warenbestand vorzufinanzieren und den Ansturm erfolgreich zu bewältigen. Mit genauen Cashflow-Vorhersagen und Szenarien konnten wir unseren Bankberater überzeugen, was zur problemlosen Verdopplung unserer Kreditlinie führte. So waren wir bestens vorbereitet und konnten sicher weiterwachsen.“ Dennis Balzer, CEO von BETTER BE BOLD

‍Über 1000 Unternehmen unterschiedlicher Branchen vertrauen bereits auf Tidely. Neben der Software bietet Tidely einen individuellen Onboarding-Prozess und deutschsprachigen Support, damit Du das Beste aus Deinem Liquiditätsmanagement herausholen kannst.Teste Tidely jetzt 7 Tage gratis und profitiere von einer einfacheren, transparenteren und effizienteren Finanzsteuerung!

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FAQ‍

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Was ist eine Zwischenfinanzierung für Unternehmen?

‍Eine Zwischenfinanzierung ist ein kurzfristiger Kredit, der Unternehmen dabei hilft, finanzielle Engpässe zu überbrücken, bis langfristige Mittel wie zugesagte Darlehen oder erwartete Einnahmen verfügbar sind. Sie bietet schnelle Liquidität für Investitionen, zur Finanzierung von Projekten, zur Überbrückung saisonaler Schwankungen oder bis zu einer langfristigen Finanzierung. Die Rückzahlung erfolgt meist endfällig, häufig mit höheren Zinssätzen als bei langfristigen Finanzierungen.‍

Wie lange dauert eine Zwischenfinanzierung? 

‍Zwischenkredite haben typischerweise Laufzeiten von einigen Wochen bis zu maximal zwei Jahren. Sie sind speziell darauf ausgelegt, kurzfristige Liquiditätsbedarfe zu decken, bis langfristige Finanzierungsmittel oder erwartete Einnahmen verfügbar sind. Die Laufzeit wird flexibel vereinbart und orientiert sich daran, wann das benötigte Kapital zur Rückzahlung bereitsteht.‍

Zwischenfinanzierung – wie funktioniert das?

‍Eine Zwischenfinanzierung erfolgt in mehreren Schritten: 

1. Zunächst wird Dein finanzieller Bedarf ermittelt – also wie viel Kapital Du benötigst und für welchen Zeitraum. 
2. Anschließend wählst Du die passende Finanzierungslösung und reichst die notwendigen Unterlagen ein. 
3. Nach der Prüfung Deiner Bonität und Sicherheiten erfolgt die Auszahlung. 
4. Die Rückzahlung erfolgt meist endfällig oder sobald das langfristige Kapital verfügbar ist.

Wie hoch sind aktuell die Zinsen bei einer Zwischenfinanzierung?

‍Zwischenfinanzierungen haben höhere Zinssätze als langfristige Kredite – meist 1 bis 5 Prozentpunkte mehr. Die genauen Kosten hängen von Deiner Bonität, der Laufzeit und dem Risiko ab. Unternehmen mit guter Bonität profitieren von günstigeren Konditionen, während fehlende Sicherheiten Risikoaufschläge verursachen können. Flexible Zinssätze bieten zwar Anpassungsmöglichkeiten, sind jedoch oft teurer. Ein Vergleich der Angebote ist entscheidend, um Deine Kosten zu optimieren.‍

Wofür kann ich eine Zwischenfinanzierung einsetzen?

‍Du kannst eine Zwischenfinanzierung für verschiedene Zwecke nutzen, z. B. zur Finanzierung von Aufträgen, zur Überbrückung von Liquiditätsengpässen oder zur Deckung saisonaler Schwankungen bis eine zugesagte langfristige Finanzierung in Kraft tritt. Sie eignet sich auch, um wichtige Investitionen zu sichern, während Du auf langfristige Finanzierungsmittel oder erwartete Einnahmen warten musst. So bleibt Dein Unternehmen flexibel und handlungsfähig.‍

Welche Voraussetzung sollte mein Unternehmen erfüllen für eine Zwischenfinanzierung von Tidely?

‍We offer our customers exclusive terms in partnership with Banxware as the lender. For instant financing through Tidely, your company must be registered in Germany, have been in business for at least six months, and generate monthly revenue of at least €1,250. The application process is digital and fast, allowing your company to access short-term liquidity of up to €250,000 within one day. ‍

How much can interim financing be?

‍The amount of interim financing depends on the provider and individual requirements. In partnership with Banxware, you can apply for up to €250,000 in short-term funding as a Tidely customer. The exact amount is based on your company's revenue, creditworthiness, and specific needs. The amount is flexibly adjusted to your financial requirements.