Paytner Inc./Japan

Paytner (ペイトナー) operates a Japanese invoice advance service aimed at sole proprietors, freelancers and one-person companies. A user uploads an invoice that is awaiting payment, Paytner screens the request and, if approved, transfers the funds — in the fastest case on the same day, including weekends and public holidays when screening has been completed. Once the user's client settles the invoice, the user repays Paytner into a designated bank account.

The service is positioned as an alternative to bank loans and personal borrowing: applications are handled entirely from a smartphone with no in-person interview, the minimum request size is JPY 10,000, and the company states that because the transaction is not a loan it does not affect the user's credit record and the user's client is not informed. Eligible invoices are those with a payment due date within 70 days. Required documents are an invoice with a fixed payment due date, bank account transaction statements, and — on first use only — photo identification. Pricing is a single flat fee of 10% of the advanced amount.

The company markets the service to users who have been declined elsewhere, including the newly independent, those billing individual clients, and those with new client relationships. Published customer testimonials come from construction, logistics, video production, design, product management and engineering backgrounds.