Defacto is rewriting
the SMB lending playbook

Venn diagram showing Ecosystem, SMBs, Banks

We built Defacto so every business can access the capital they need—instantly and seamlessly, right where they operate. No friction, no delays—just real-time funding embedded in their work(flow.)

Real-time underwriting
Automated & AI-native servicing
Embedded-first
25M€

in funding raised

€850M+

funds deployed

130k

loans deployed

ACPR

licensed

20+

embedded partners

30M+

transactions processed

Leading the embedded lending wave

At some point, every business needs access to credit. Yet, traditional lending is slow, complex, and often out of reach for many SMBs. We're changing that by building a connected lending infrastructure that makes short-term financing simple, flexible, and instantly accessible within existing business workflows.

4 solutions, serving SMBs wherever they are

Defacto Euro symbol icon
Direct
Self-serve digital lending for SMBs
Defacto water drop icon
Liquid
No-code lending solution for partners
Defacto lightning icon
Connect
White-labeled, embedded lending API for partners
Defacto Core icon
Core
Modular Lending-as-a-Service (LaaS) infrastructure for financial institutions

A down-to-earth team with spunk and sass

At Defacto, we’re passionate about what we’re building but believe the best work environments make space for fun, humility, and fishy puns.

Defacto team members
Morgan and Jo, Defacto founders
Defacto team on street
Defacto at trade fair
Defacto team doing karaoke
David Gautard dressed as a lemon
Defacto team with loan validation frame
Photo of Defacto carting trip
Defacto team in forest

Our shared working style

Individual ownership

Every teammate is empowered to take initiative and make an impact.

Trust by default

We create room for risk-taking and failure because it helps us learn and grow.

Impact-driven automation

We obsess over outcomes, leveraging AI to eliminate inefficiencies so every action drives maximum impact and uncompromising quality.

Used by the world's leading companies

Interested in helping SMBs thrive?

Our mission

We created Defacto to give every business access to the critical capital they need

We created Defacto to give every business access to the critical capital they need

The Defacto team - with horses.
At one point, every business needs borrowed money. But traditionally it’s been overly complicated and not universally accessible. We’re changing the lending game by removing administrative overhead and offering an embedded approach that leverages business data to fuel business growth.
How? By creating a connected lending infrastructure that makes it simpler and safer to provide short-term financing to businesses everywhere.
2021
2021
founded
700m
700m
euros lent
10k
10k

Our principles

A small clock with legs and a face.

Instant

We prioritize speed above all else as we live in the world of ASAP where time is money.

A transparent character

Transparent

We embrace risk to make small business financing more accessible on fair terms.

A small rubber band character with legs.

Flexible

We opt for flexibility whenever we can to put our customers in the driving seat of their own growth.

A down-to-earth team with spunk and sass

At Defacto, we’re passionate about what we’re building but believe the best work environments make space for fun, humility, and fishy puns.
The Defacto team posing with some horses.
The Defacto team.
The Defacto team posing with hockey sticks on ice.
1
Individual ownership is our guarantee and expectation for every teammate.
2
We trust by default and give room for risk and failure as it ultimately helps us grow and learn together.
3
If you’re passionate about helping small businesses thrive and consider yourself street smart, this is the place for you!
Backed by the Best
GFC logoCity Ventures logoNorth Zone logoMotier ventures logoViola logoHeadline logo

In the press

Media Resources
Lean scaling: a playbook from Defacto’s startup journey (Northzone)
Defacto is on a mission to become Europe’s largest API-first B2B lending platform. Co-founders Morgan O’Hana and Marc-Henri Gires explain how they've funded more than half a billion to 10,000 SMEs with only 21 employees.
Tech Crunch
French startup Defacto has closed a new securitization fund that will be used to provide short-term loans to small and medium enterprises via an embedded, API-first approach. This is a new fund of up to €167 million ($183 million) with Citi and Viola Credit acting as the lenders
Bloomberg
A growing number of startups are setting up in the city as the French government pushes to be at the forefront of Europe’s financial technology sector
Les Echos
Après avoir fait ses armes chez la licorne Spendesk, Morgan O'hana a cofondé Defacto, solution de crédit instantané pour PME. Lancée il y a moins d'un an, la start-up vient de boucler une deuxième levée de fonds de 15 millions d'euros.
Defacto, a French fintech startup that offers loans to small businesses, just raised $16 million using a 15-slide pitch deck
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