A recent debt recovery case highlights a hard truth: even promising international partnerships can unravel if proper contract safeguards and risk checks aren’t in place. In this situation, a UK-based technology company found itself chasing £100,000 from a French startup. While the money was eventually recovered, the time, stress, and disruption could have been avoided entirely.
At VendSafe, we believe in prevention over cure. Here’s what happened—and how the right systems could have protected the business from the start.
A Cross-Border Contract with Blind Spots
The UK firm had entered into a service agreement with a venture-backed startup based in France, delivering high-value tech services under a contract governed by Belgian law. The documentation outlined deliverables, timelines, and payment terms—on paper, everything looked solid.
But once the work was delivered, things began to shift. The French startup started requesting additional services and reporting—none of which had been agreed upfront. Rather than pushing back, the UK company complied in good faith, hoping to maintain the relationship and get paid. Even when they proposed a 50% settlement as a compromise, the debtor failed to respond or act.
Eventually, communication stopped altogether. The business was now exposed, with cash flow strained and few options left.
Reactive Recovery: A Necessary but Avoidable Step
At this point, the company turned to recovery experts to chase the overdue balance. Through a structured campaign of daily engagement, contractual pressure, and legal positioning, the full £100,000 was ultimately recovered over three weeks—without court involvement.
While the result was positive, the path was reactive, expensive in time, and emotionally taxing for all involved.
What Should Have Happened: Risk Prevention at the Start
This situation is precisely why VendSafe exists. Had our services been deployed before the agreement was signed, several red flags could have been spotted:
- The startup’s financial resilience and payment behaviour could have been assessed through international credit risk checks.
- The contract would have been stress-tested by legal experts, with enforceable clauses on jurisdiction, payment timelines, and scope control.
- Our team could have flagged the risk of “scope creep” and advised on negotiation strategies to avoid it.
- Ongoing credit monitoring could have alerted the client to changes in the debtor’s standing—well before communication broke down.
The difference? Peace of mind, protected cash flow, and fewer late nights worrying about unpaid work.
A Future Built on Smarter B2B Decisions
The UK company has since integrated VendSafe’s tools into their onboarding process. Today, every new B2B partner undergoes due diligence before any contract is signed. Their contracts are fortified by legal expertise tailored to international enforcement, and any shifts in a client’s financial behaviour are flagged early.
They now operate from a position of strength—not guesswork.
Don’t Let the Next £100,000 Slip Through the Cracks
At VendSafe, we help forward-thinking businesses prevent financial loss through contract intelligence, international credit risk checks, and structured onboarding frameworks. Whether you’re working with clients across the UK or overseas, our preventative solutions are designed to ensure you only do business with those who can—and will—pay.
Stop leaving money on the table. Secure your contracts and partnerships with VendSafe today. Contact Us!
