Which finance to bridge a contract win

2 min read

Win then waitThe gap

Fund deliveryThe need

Repaid on paymentThe structure

The gap between winning and being paid

Winning a contract is only half the battle — you often have to fund delivery (staff, materials, mobilisation) for weeks or months before the first payment arrives. That gap can strain even a healthy business, and it is exactly what short-term finance is for: fund the delivery, repay as the contract pays. See the answer on bridging a contract win.

The routes

Route	Best for
Short-term loan	A defined mobilisation cost
Invoice finance	Once you're invoicing milestones
Revolving line	Staged delivery with variable draws

A short-term loan funds a defined mobilisation cost. Invoice finance releases cash as you invoice milestones. A revolving line suits staged delivery where costs and timing vary. Match the tool to how the contract's costs and payments are shaped.

Check the contract pays

Before borrowing against a contract, confirm the payment terms and the client's reliability — funding delivery for a client who pays late or disputes can turn a win into a cash crisis. Size the finance to the mobilisation gap, time repayment to the contract's payment schedule, and check affordability with our affordability guide.

The Credicorp view

A short-term Credicorp business loan bridges the gap between winning a contract and the first payment, funding delivery and repaid as the contract pays — no personal guarantee. For staged delivery, a Credicorp Flex line fits. Register to apply. Educational content, not financial advice.

Frequently asked questions

How do I fund a contract before the first payment?

Use short-term finance to fund delivery — staff, materials, mobilisation — and repay as the contract pays. A short-term loan suits a defined mobilisation cost, invoice finance releases cash as you invoice milestones, and a revolving line suits staged delivery with variable draws. Match the tool to the contract's cost and payment shape.

What should I check before borrowing against a contract?

Confirm the payment terms and the client's reliability. Funding delivery for a client who pays late or disputes can turn a win into a cash crisis. Size the finance to the mobilisation gap, time repayment to the payment schedule, and make sure it is affordable if payment slips.

Is invoice finance good for contract work?

It can be, once you are invoicing milestones — it releases cash against those invoices as you raise them, scaling with the work. For the upfront mobilisation before any invoice exists, a short-term loan or revolving line is usually needed first, with invoice finance taking over as billing begins.