Kashcade advances up to 100% of your accrued R&D Tax Incentive refund with cash in your account in as little as 24 hours. Apply in minutes. Repay when your ATO refund arrives.
Flat. Unlike percentage-based set-up fees charged by other lenders.
No monthly repayments required during the loan term.
Other R&D lenders charge 1–2% of loan value at closing. We charge $0.
There are a handful of R&D loan providers in Australia. The differences between them are significant - particularly around maximum advance amount (LVR), set-up fees, and contract lock-in terms. Here's how Kashcade stacks up.
Other R&D loan providers
Approval time
24–48hrs
Often 3–10 business days
Cash in bank
Instant upon signing
Often 5–10 business days
Advance amount (LVR)
Up to 100%
Commonly 80–90%
Interest rate (per month)
1.38%
Typically 1.38%–2%+
Set-up fee
$950 flat fee
Up to 4% of loan amount
Closing fee
$0
Usually 1–2%
Contract lock-in
No lock-in contract
0–3 years
Funding source
Australia
US, EU, AU
Minimum loan period
60–90 days
90 days
Comparison based on publicly available information from leading Australian R&D loan providers as of November 2025. Figures are indicative only and subject to approval.
Funding calculator > | Other R&D loan providers | |
|---|---|---|
| Max LVR | Max LVR 100% | Max LVR 80% |
| Set-up fee | Set-up fee $950 flat | Set-up fee Up to 4%Up to 4% of loan |
| Interest rate | Interest rate 1.38% p/m | Interest rate 1.38-1.42% p/m |
| Closing fee | Closing fee $0 | Closing fee 1-2% |
| No lock-in contract | No lock-in contract | Lock-in contract 0-3 years |
Disclaimer: This calculator provides approximate estimates only. It is not a loan offer or financial advice. Actual terms may vary. Competitor data is sourced publicly and may not reflect current rates.
Have you received a refund before under the R&D Tax Incentive?
Will your R&D offset be a cash refund?
Are you working with an R&D Tax Advisor?
Will you have 3 months of runway?
If your answer to these questions is 'Yes', apply now!
If not, get in touch with our team who can discuss your options in more detail
Partner with a lender that supports your growth from Seed through to IPO and beyond
Companies funded
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We have just completed some funding via Kashcade and it was completed quickly and easily.
Absolutely painless. This is how lending should be done!
Graham Burdis
CFO, Algenie
The team were able to review and approve our application within 24hrs of applying. Great assistance and upfront on the terms and conditions. Highly recommend other startups chat with the team.
Philip Valencia
CEO & Cofounder, Embeint
I had the pleasure of working with the Kashcade team to secure a loan against our R&D tax incentive. From first contact to cash in bank was about 24hrs. The Kashcade team couldn't have been more responsive, helpful, and nice to work with.
Sam Wenger
CEO, Aerate
The team at Kashcade have been outstanding. Every commitment was met with excellent communication and seamless processes throughout. Doing business with Kashcade could not have been easier. A clear 10 out of 10.
Stu Cameron
CEO & Founder, Unifi
We've worked with Kashcade now for a number of years. The team is always professional, easy to work with and flexible. Straight forward process with a very quick turnaround time. Many thanks to the Kashcade team for their support.
Beth Fitzpatrick
Head of Commercial, Emmi
How much can I borrow with an R&D advance from Kashcade?
Kashcade advances up to 100% of your accrued R&D Tax Incentive refund. For example, if your expected refund is $500,000, we can fund $500,000 in 24-48hrs instead of waiting until after the financial year to access your refund. How much you can borrow depends on the time of year and individual credit application, which is subject to approval.
When do I repay my R&D advance?
Your R&D advance is repaid in a single instalment, in line with when the ATO is expected to pay out your R&D refund - typically after you lodge your company tax return post EOFY. There are no monthly repayments during the loan term.
What is the difference between an R&D loan and an R&D refund?
An R&D loan is a short-term advance against your existing R&D Tax Incentive refund. It's repaid in line with when the ATO processes your refund. An R&D refund is a government cash payment provided to eligible businesses for money they spent on eligible research and development activities, and does not need to be repaid. Kashcade specialises in R&D loan financing, not providing or helping you claim grants.
Do I need to be profitable to get an R&D loan?
No. Many of our customers are not yet profitable and that's ok, because R&D loans are secured against your expected R&DTI refund rather than your revenue. Pre-revenue and loss-making startups are commonly eligible. The refundable R&DTI offset specifically benefits companies that are in a tax loss position.
Do I need an R&D tax advisor to apply?
You won't need an R&D advisor to apply, however, you'll need one in order to access an R&D loan. You'll also need documentation confirming your last AusIndustry registration and a breakdown of your year-to-date R&D expenditure and refund value. If you don't currently work with an R&D tax advisor, Kashcade can connect you with our partner network.
Do I need to provide a personal or directors guarantee?
No - Kashcade does not require personal or director guarantees because the loan is secured directly against the government R&D Tax Incentive refund itself. However, policies vary by lender.
How is my funding limit determined?
We can fund up to 100% of the refund you've accrued in the first 9 months of your financial year.
That moves to 80% for the full financial year. E.g. If the refund you've accrued in July through March is $100k, we can lend $100k (100%).
If the refund you've accrued July through June totals $130k, we can lend $104k (80%).
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