Buckaroo, YouLend partner to launch SME financing solution

By Vriti Gothi

Buckaroo and YouLend have launched Buckaroo Capital, a new embedded financing solution aimed at providing faster access to working capital for small businesses across the Benelux region, as payment platforms increasingly evolve into distribution channels for credit.

Unveiled at Webwinkel Vakdagen in Utrecht, the offering enables merchants to access financing directly through the Buckaroo payment platform, using their transaction data to determine eligibility and funding levels. The model allows repayments to be automatically deducted as a percentage of future revenues, aligning repayment schedules with business performance.

The launch reflects a broader shift in SME financing, where traditional bank lending processes—often characterised by lengthy approval cycles and rigid underwriting criteria—are being challenged by data-driven, embedded finance models. By leveraging real-time payment data, platforms such as Buckaroo are positioning themselves to offer faster, more tailored credit solutions at the point of need.

Paul Scholten, CEO of Buckaroo, said the initiative is designed to address persistent gaps in access to working capital for entrepreneurs.

“Many entrepreneurs need quick access to working capital without lengthy application procedures,” Scholten said. “By linking financing to transaction data from our platform, entrepreneurs can invest in the growth of their business more quickly.”

The financing infrastructure underpinning Buckaroo Capital is provided by YouLend, which specialises in embedded lending for digital platforms. The collaboration builds on an existing partnership between the two firms and highlights YouLend’s strategy of scaling distribution through payment, eCommerce, and software ecosystems.

Luuk Visschedijk, Head of Strategic Partnerships at YouLend, noted that integrating financing directly into merchant workflows reduces friction in accessing credit. “Within their existing environment, they can immediately see what financing is available and make efficient use of it,” he said.

For Buckaroo, the launch marks a continued expansion beyond payments into a broader suite of embedded financial services for its merchant base, which exceeds 54,000 businesses in the region. The company has indicated plans to further deepen its embedded finance capabilities, including integrations with adjacent services such as accounting platforms.

Buckaroo Capital is expected to be fully integrated into the platform by mid-2026, underscoring a wider industry trend where payment providers increasingly monetise transaction data to deliver value-added financial products and strengthen merchant retention.