Navigating the Funding Maze: Insights from Pegasus CEO Richard Olsen

Securing funding for your business can be daunting. As well as navigating the intricacies of the financial market, you need top tier negotiating skills plus insights to help you find the right deal. Here, we speak to Pegasus Funding Solutions CEO Rich Olsen about the challenges faced by businesses looking for funding solutions today, and explore how he helps them cut through the complexity.

As founder and CEO of Pegasus Funding Solutions, Richard Olsen has worked with business owners and entrepreneurs across the UK. With expertise in cashflow, growth and acquisition finance, plus a commitment to providing independent, tailored support, Richard and his team have become a trusted resource for SMEs seeking funding clarity in a complicated market.

We asked Richard what businesses need to think about when it comes to finance – and how Pegasus delivers support that makes a real difference, whatever their circumstances.

Richard, what do businesses need to consider when they’re looking at funding options?

One of the first things I clarify with my clients is that funding isn’t just about finding money. It’s about finding the right money, structured in a way that fits your specific business goals and circumstances. Whether you’re managing cashflow, funding an acquisition, or investing in growth, you need to consider affordability, fit, flexibility and alignment with your business strategy. Too often, I’ve seen businesses make funding decisions based on what’s easily available, rather than what will support their future ambitions. Getting it right from the beginning is essential, but it’s hard to do this without expert input.

So how do you help clients find the right option?

I always explain that every funding choice has strategic as well as financial implications. Taking the time to understand the full picture is an essential part of helping businesses find a way forward. At Pegasus Funding Solutions, we ask about your appetite for risk, your need for control and your long-term growth plans.

I, and the rest of the team, also draw on our personal experience which helps us to understand the position our clients are in and to ask the right questions. Our team brings real-world experience across banking, business ownership, R&D, due diligence and private equity. From a practical perspective, this means we can guide you to the solution that makes the most sense for your business, not just the easiest one to access.

What are the most common challenges businesses are facing in 2025?

The funding landscape is complex, fragmented and pretty overwhelming. I see many businesses go to market without a clear strategy, unsure of what’s possible or even what to ask for. As a result, they either accept the first offer they receive or struggle to find support at all. That said, my experience tells me that business leaders don’t lack ambition when it comes to finding the right option. They simply lack the time, insight or experience to navigate the market effectively.

I can often feel the relief when I start working with a new client and it sinks in that they’re not doing this on their own anymore. It’s a very rewarding part of what I do.

How do you help?

I start by listening – properly. I ask questions that get to the heart of what you’re trying to achieve, then design a funding strategy around your goals. The team at Pegasus Funding Solutions is known for thinking creatively, exploring every angle and staying the course even when the solution isn’t immediately obvious. A bit like a bunch of terriers! It’s a definite benefit to our collective experience, and has a direct impact for our clients.

What makes Pegasus Funding Solutions different to other finance specialists?

Our professional guidance will feel different to anything you’ve experienced with other advisors. From our first interaction, you’ll see that our mindset sets us apart: we’re not just advisors, we’re partners. We act as negotiators, mediators and advocates, focused on getting the right result for your business.

We’re completely independent and FCA-regulated, which means we work for you, not for lenders. With access to over 600 funding sources across the UK, from traditional banks to alternative lenders and private capital, we navigate the complexity of available opportunities so that you don’t have to.  And we don’t just focus on solving problems through financial solutions: we work closely with you to avoid decisions that could cause complications later on.

What does it feel like to work with you?

It feels like working with someone you can trust. Every member of the team is experienced, practical and solution-focused. Whatever your starting point, we bring a sense of calm to complex situations, and we will give you the confidence to move forward. Personally I take great pride in being that sounding board and providing a safe pair of hands because when finance is handled well, everything else becomes easier.

To find out how Richard and the Pegasus Funding Solutions team can support your business, get in touch today.