Financing SMEs through Fintech Platforms in the Czech Republic

This Bachelor's thesis focuses on the issue of SME financing through fintech platforms in the Czech Republic. Its main objective is to assess whether and how these digital platforms streamline the process of raising capital for SMEs. The introductory part of the thesis deals with the basic classification of these companies, their importance for the Czech economy, and an overview of the available financing methods, including both traditional and alternative options. This is followed by a comparative analysis of four specific fintech platforms operating on the Czech market. The comparison is based on four main evaluation criteria: efficiency, cost, time required, and volume of financing provided. The sources used include academic literature, publicly available data, and interviews with representatives of the selected companies. The results show that fintech platforms significantly simplify and accelerate SME financing processes. Their main advantages are speed, accessibility, and ease of use. The thesis concludes that fintech platforms are now an essential complement to traditional banking products. They provide access to finance for businesses that, for various reasons, would not qualify for a traditional bank loan. In this sense, they contribute to a broader availability of capital and support the development of the entrepreneurial environment in the Czech Republic.