How it works

From first brief to comparable responses.

Finlane gives buyers, consultants and providers one structured process while keeping ownership, visibility and confidential drafts separated by role.

RoleCreateReviewMatchAcceptRespondCompare
BuyerWrites briefReviews changesSets prioritiesReviews accessCompares answersChooses next step
ConsultantEdits in scopeSupports reviewReviews fitSupports buyerReviews answersPrepares handover
FinlaneStructuresReviews briefMatches categoriesControls accessKeeps responses privateKeeps record
Provider——Reviews briefAccepts or declinesAnswers rows—

Illustrative example.

How it works

1. Create a structured brief

Guided template

Build the RFP section by section, mark requirements as want to have or optional, and add the deadline, context, files and links.

AI RFP advisor

Use a staged conversation to capture the company context, use case and product needs, then hand the result into the same editable RFP format.

Learn more

Consultant-assisted

An invited consultant can continue work in the client's context when their organisation, project or RFP access covers it.

Quality control

2. Review before the market sees it

Keep an unfinished brief out of the market. Finlane reviews it first, and requested changes can be made before approval makes it live.

Relevant reach

3. Match without revealing the buyer

Category eligibility

The RFP is visible only to approved providers whose assigned categories overlap the brief.

Capability fit

Confirmed provider capabilities are compared with weighted want-to-have and optional requirements to explain fit and surface gaps.

Incumbent blocking

A buyer can exclude a specific incumbent provider from a specific RFP before distribution.

Low fit
Medium fit
Strong fit

Gaps to review

  • • Local settlement coverage
  • • Offline card controls

Illustrative example.

Controlled disclosure

4. Accept before identities are shared

A matched provider first sees the requirements without the buyer's identity. Acceptance unlocks current company, contact, file and link details. Declining reveals nothing further.

Before acceptance

Company hidden
Contact hidden
Files and links hidden

Use case, region and requirements remain visible.

Accepted brief

Company name · Contact

2 files · 1 link

Use case, region and requirements remain visible.

Illustrative example.

Structured answers

5. Build a private response

Structured coverage

The provider answers the same requirements the buyer asked, using full, partial or not-offered coverage with supporting notes.

Evidence and contacts

Attachments, links, company fit, a response summary and mandatory contact details travel with the response.

Autosave and AI assist

Drafts autosave. Optional AI assistance maps requirements to confirmed capabilities, fills only empty fields and still requires provider review.

Buyer requirement

Real-time card controls

Confirmed capability

Controls supported

Suggested coverage

Full
Local settlement details
Needs your answer

Illustrative example.

Comparable evidence

6. Review, clarify and hand over

Compare only submitted responses. Buyers and authorised consultants can review coverage, evidence and contacts, ask questions and export a PDF for due diligence.
RequirementProvider AProvider BProvider C
Virtual card issuing
Full
Full
Partial
EEA programme support
Full
Partial
Full
Real-time controls
Partial
Full
Not offered
Migration support
Full
Needs your answer
Partial

Illustrative example.

Visibility

Who sees what, stage by stage

Identity, responses and messages become visible only when each party reaches the right stage of the sourcing relationship.
PartyBefore acceptanceDuring responseAfter submission
Matched providerSees briefDoesn’t see identitySees accepted buyer details
BuyerSees own draftSees response statusSees submitted responses
ConsultantSees named scopeSees submitted responsesDoesn’t see unrelated work
Other providersDoesn’t see briefDoesn’t see responsesDoesn’t see messages

Illustrative example.

How it works

What stays outside Finlane

Contracting

The buyer negotiates and signs directly with the selected provider.

Due diligence

Provider approval and structured evidence support evaluation but do not replace legal, regulatory, technical or commercial checks.

The final decision

Finlane structures and documents the market process; the buyer remains responsible for selection.

How it works

See the workflow for your role

Useful details

Frequently asked questions

Can I change an RFP after it is live?
No. Once an RFP is published and approved, its title, requirements, categories and working content are frozen.
Can I run several categories for one initiative?
Yes. Keep separate category RFPs inside one project so each reaches the right providers and remains comparable.
Can I use Finlane without the AI advisor?
Yes. The guided editor creates the same structured RFP without an AI conversation.

Start with the right path