Bizcap New Zealand turned adviser feedback into a live lending product in four weeks. That speed defines how the company positions itself among New Zealand advisers who still treat non-bank lending as a fallback rather than a genuine option. Behind that pace sits a global track record spanning seven markets. Co-founder Zalman Blachman, deputy CEO Rebecca del Rio and general manager Camilla Tumai explain how the business operates and what advisers should reconsider.
Advisers told Bizcap its existing options were expensive and too rigid for the businesses they were trying to fund. Rather than file that feedback away for the next planning cycle, the local team worked through the details and secured approval for a live offering in under a month. 'The New Zealand market told us it wanted something more affordable and more flexible, and we were able to listen and deliver exactly that, from ideation to deployment in just four weeks', says Rebecca del Rio, deputy chief executive officer for APAC and global chief revenue officer at Bizcap. Being able to hear what the market needs and adapt quickly is among the things she enjoys most about the role, she says.
Speed sets Bizcap apart. The company approves loans in an average of three hours, with same-day funding possible. Funding ranges from $5,000 to $4 million. Del Rio sees a broader shift underway in how businesses and advisers choose lenders. 'Businesses and the advisers who support them are increasingly looking past a rigid checklist to funders who assess the whole picture of a business and can move quickly', she says. Co-founder Zalman Blachman, chief executive officer for APAC, adds that speed is not a convenience. 'Speed and flexibility aren't just conveniences for SMEs; in many situations, they're practical requirements', he says.
Misconceptions persist. Camilla Tumai, who spent almost 20 years in the adviser industry before joining Bizcap NZ as general manager in 2024, says many advisers are still working out when alternative lending makes sense. 'There are still misconceptions about alternative lending, who it's for, when it should be considered and how it can complement traditional lending', Tumai says. She wants more advisers to feel comfortable raising business lending with clients who own businesses, even if funding is not their core focus. 'I'd love to see more advisers in New Zealand become comfortable having conversations about non-bank business lending', she says. Advisers seeking broader context on the NZ lending market can browse NZ Adviser's premium reports.
Tumai built and sold multiple advisory businesses before taking on the general manager role for Bizcap New Zealand. Being based in the country she serves shapes how the lender operates locally. 'Being on the ground in New Zealand means I understand the nuances of our local market and what advisers need from a funding partner', she says. That experience of sitting on both sides of the adviser relationship informs how the business collects and acts on feedback. 'That local perspective helps us make better decisions and ensures we're delivering solutions that genuinely work for New Zealand businesses', Tumai says.
Bizcap launched in Australia in 2019. It now operates across seven regions, including the US, the UK, Singapore, Europe and Canada, with two more launches planned this year. The business has funded 100,000+ small business loans globally and provided $5bn+ since inception. It is on track to provide $2bn–$2.5bn in 2026. Blachman identified the gap in SME lending as far back as 2007. 'New Zealand may be a small market, but I believe there is significant opportunity when you keep finding new ways to solve real problems', he says.
Del Rio joined Bizcap as one of its earliest employees. She credits much of the company's expansion to a culture where ideas move quickly without getting stuck in process. 'What I love is that ambition, fun and integrity go hand in hand here rather than pulling against each other', she says. Blachman built that culture from Bizcap's earliest days. 'We've brought together people who are solutions-focused, comfortable challenging convention and empowered to make decisions and move quickly', he says. 'Maintaining that mindset while the business scales into new markets has been one of the more demanding parts of the job.'
Growth is a means, not an end. Blachman says Bizcap's ambition has always extended beyond expansion for its own sake. 'We want to build a business that makes funding more accessible, supports advisers with dependable solutions and helps businesses confidently pursue their next opportunity', he says. 'That's the philosophy that continues to guide Bizcap as we grow globally.'