The asset finance evolution

Not long ago, equipment finance was the go-to for businesses needing IT hardware, copiers, or warehouse kit. Today? The game has changed.

From podcast microphones to packaging machines, LED lighting to laser engravers, the list of leaseable assets has exploded. Businesses in hospitality, construction, education, events, and health & wellness are now financing everything from commercial kitchen refurbs to beauty lasers and AI-driven diagnostics.

Welcome to the era of asset finance without limits.

 

More industries, more imagination

As SMEs diversify, so too do the assets that fuel their ambitions. We've seen:

  • Surveyors lease drone and scanning tech

  • Breweries finance kegging lines

  • Private schools lease modular classrooms

  • Retailers fund point-of-sale systems and digital signage

  • Green businesses finance EV chargers, solar panels, and energy-efficient lighting

If it powers your productivity or elevates your customer experience, it probably qualifies.

 

But here’s the catch: Most SMEs don’t know it yet

According to the New Lease of Life report, 24% of SMEs simply aren't aware of the breadth of what leasing can offer. And 26% admit they lack leasing experience altogether.

That means thousands of businesses are:

  • Buying outright when they could protect cashflow

  • Delaying upgrades due to cost assumptions

  • Missing the chance to invest in growth-driving equipment

 

Finance culture clash: Europe vs UK vs US

In mainland Europe, leasing is embedded. Our German parent company grenke AG see it as a default strategy to stay agile. In the US, equipment finance is baked into every major vendor pitch.

The UK? Culturally more hesitant. Ironically, while we excel in the consumer rental economy (think Netflix, Spotify, Uber, AirBnB), many UK businesses still hesitate to lease a TV or a specialist piece of kit.

That’s changing—fast. grenke has seen a significant rise in leasing interest from sectors previously underrepresented: stadiums, fisheries, laundrettes, even wellness retreats.

 

The challenge: Can you stump us?

We’ve financed espresso machines and security bollards. Classroom tech and VR headsets. If your asset drives business performance, chances are, we can find a way to fund it.

So here’s our challenge to you: What do you need to grow — that you think can’t be financed?

Send it to us. Test us. Let’s see if we can say yes.

 

Final thought

In a world where flexibility, speed and liquidity are your competitive advantages, owning everything outright no longer makes sense.

The smartest businesses aren’t asking “Can I afford this?” They’re asking “Can I access it faster, cheaper, and smarter?”

Chances are, the answer is yes.