For many entrepreneurs, the hardest part of growing a business is raising funding to fuel and accelerate growth. That’s the strategic intent of SecureClear — a financial services firm founded by Chris van Rensburg and Gordon Rabey, two trade finance professionals who set out to change how small and medium businesses access growth funding.
A Different Approach to Trade Finance
Both founders had built careers in traditional banks but became frustrated with how clients were being treated. Rather than being partners in growth, business owners were often reduced to a number associated with a balance sheet. SecureClear was born from a simple idea: funding should be more personal, more supportive, and more transparent.
Trade finance typically involves banks or finance houses providing short-term loans to cover the cost of trading goods and services. SecureClear took this established model and reshaped it with a client-first mindset, combining international best practices in private capital with local insight.
From Start-Up Hurdles to Recognised Provider
Starting a new financial services business is no small task. Raising early investment, convincing backers to believe in their vision, and securing the licences required by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) tested the team’s resilience.
Those same hurdles now form part of their competitive advantage. SecureClear knows firsthand the pressure business owners face when cash flow is tight, and the importance of having the right partner in place. Today, the company has grown from a small start-up to a recognised FSCA-accredited financial services provider, offering the market the opportunity to invest into a registered alternative investment asset while also offering businesses a world class growth funding solution.
Three Pillars: Finance, Forex, and Investment
SecureClear operates as a hub for business finance solutions, built on three interconnected pillars:
- Finance – providing tailored trade finance funding to help businesses accelerate growth.
- Forex – offering a dedicated treasury service to manage cross-border transactions and currency exposure.
- Investment – creating avenues for investors to invest in an alternative asset class.
By integrating these services, the firm is able to offer clients not just capital, but also the tools to manage international trade and growth more effectively.
Investing in People, Not Just Numbers
The SecureClear philosophy is simple: back entrepreneurs, not just paperwork. That means being selective about the businesses they support — focusing on those whose values align with their own commitment to integrity, sustainability, and humility. Every client is unique and considered a partner. SecureClear is backed by a combined 37 years of trade finance experience but delivered in a way that’s reminiscent of “old school banking”.
Rooted in Community
Beyond finance, Chris and Gordon are family men and active community members. They sit on local boards, support initiatives, and freely share their expertise. For them, business growth is only the beginning; the true measure lies in building a legacy of trust and nurturing entrepreneurial possibility.
Website: www.secureclear.co.za
Email: info@secureclear.co.za