Our CEO, Joana Carvalho, was invited by the Associação Empresarial do Minho (AEMinho) to take part in the “Negócios à Lupa” podcast, where she shared her perspective on a key topic for any growing business: what makes the difference between a project that secures financing and one that does not.
Among the main points discussed:
🔹 Communication is key — often, the issue is not the project itself, but how it is presented to financial institutions. A robust, well-supported business plan with clear assumptions can be decisive in securing financing.
🔹 Predictability above all — banks look primarily for stability and a proven ability to generate cash flow. Being able to demonstrate this is essential to reducing perceived risk — and, with it, the cost of financing.
🔹 ESG risk is already part of credit assessment — banking regulation has evolved, and the sustainability of investments is now an integral part of risk analysis, even if it does not yet always translate into more favourable financing conditions.
🔹 Innovation requires even greater preparation — projects without a proven track record are subject to greater scrutiny. However, with a well-structured risk analysis and clearly identified mitigating factors, financing is achievable.
🔹 The ecosystem is evolving — the role of Banco Português de Fomento and the growth of debt funds as a complement to traditional bank financing are creating new opportunities for more disruptive projects.
At SFGO, we help companies turn good ideas into financeable projects — with the rigour, structure and communication that banks and investors are looking for.
