Brickflow, the UK’s first online search engine for development finance loans, has officially launched.

The property technology platform – co-founded by Ian Humphreys and software developer Robert Lange – aims to provide a quick and easy way for property developers to secure finance, by digitally connecting them with lenders.

“It’s well known that the UK has a severe housing shortage and a major reason for this is the challenge many developers face in accessing the best finance for their needs,” says Humphreys.

“We aim to solve this challenge by shaking up the development finance market and bringing lending online.”

Brickflow’s technology provides ‘instant access’ to 18 lenders, and this is set to grow further. All applications are made online and in real-time, with applicants able to build out their developer track record and securely upload supporting documents.

Brickflow also allows developers to showcase themselves and their individual projects on one platform, as well as inviting lenders to log in and assess loan opportunities.

The online search system aims to help developers improve their return on capital employed on every deal by ranking the loans in size and price order. In addition, developers can check the viability of sites online before spending time going to see them.

For lenders, the platform automatically filters out any enquiry which doesn’t meet their criteria.

Brickflow aims to complete all development loans within six weeks if required.

Humphreys adds: “Brickflow makes development finance more accessible to developers and their advisers, while at the same time empowering all market stakeholders to work smarter by digitally sharing trusted data and knowledge.”

“By combining extensive market knowledge, the best digital technology and the efficiency of a comparison site, we are offering a revolutionary new way to secure development finance for everyone.”