LeaseQ, an online marketplace and finance platform connecting business owners, equipment sellers and lenders, plans to double the size of the company in 2017 with 19 new hires, service expansion into three new vertical markets and same day financing with instant quotes.

“ELFA (Equipment Leasing and Finance Association) recently reported that eight in 10 U.S. businesses finance their equipment to manage risk, maintain cash, keep up-to-date with technology and more. There is a clear need for automated equipment financing solutions like LeaseQ,” said Vernon Tirey, co-founder and CEO of LeaseQ. “Our vision for LeaseQ has always been to make equipment financing easy, fast and more cost effective, and today, we’re doing that for borrowers, lenders and vendors in 28 vertical markets with more on the horizon.”

LeaseQ began hiring for its funding and sales teams earlier this year, and plans to add a total of 19 new employees in 2017. The additional staff will support development of same-day financing, and help service new vertical markets in machine tools, high tech and cannabis. LeaseQ is currently hiring sales leadership for all three groups.

LeaseQ currently supports borrowers, lenders and vendors in 28 vertical markets on its automated equipment financing platform, with recent expansions into commercial trucking, brewing and foodservice packaging. In November 2016, LeaseQ acquired Noesis, a provider of commercial building equipment financing, to better serve building equipment manufacturers, distributors, contractors and their customers.

Key drivers of LeaseQ’s growth include a recent Series A funding round from existing angel investors, sales success with a focus on food and beverage, and strategic executive hires, including John Caruso, vice president of funding operations.