Case Studies

An award-winning Belfast boutique hotel secured a £160,000 loan from the Investment Fund for Northern Ireland to expand and build on their success.

A clinic specialising in neurotechnology received a £50,000 loan through the Investment Fund for Scotland delivered by DSL Business Finance.

A small hospitality operator based in the Highlands has received funding through the Investment Fund for Scotland to expand following recent success.

Based in Blackburn, Littlefair's Wood Finishing Products, an award-winning and environmentally-friendly wood finishing products brand, has raised £75,000 from NPIF II

FinLegal - a Sheffield-based LegalTech company whose platform is used by the leading claims firms in the UK and Australia - raised £1.5m to accelerate the growth of its client base internationally.

A York accountancy firm has secured a six-figure loan from NPIF II – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia Debt as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), to support its continued growth following its acquisition of another local practice.

Based in Harrogate, Kirsty’s, the UK’s leading ‘free from’ range of ready meals, has raised £2m from NPIF II

Independent yarn shop, Knit Nottingham, received a £60,000 smaller loan from appointed fund manager, First Enterprise - Enterprise Loans, to help with the purchase of the business from the previous owner.

Based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, dynamic storytelling brand agency, B7, has secured an investment from NPIF II – Smaller Loans, which is managed by NEL Fund Managers and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II.

Light Rave Studio’s Founder, Aitanna, set up her business in 2022 and took out a Start Up Loan that year to fund expansion. Aitanna received two Start Up Loans, totalling £14,500. 

Leo Winstanley founded Hand-i-Craft, based in Formby, after losing the ability to use his dominant hand and arm in a car accident. Now, it is a successful woodworking shop, stocking handmade items, finishes and accessories that are sold online.

The Artisan Travel company accessed equity investment through British Business Investments via Panoramic Growth as their lender. The equity finance has allowed the business to enter its next chapter and provide a more certain future for its employees.

Oxi-Tech is a clean-tech company which has developed disinfectant technology using water and electricity. A £250,000 investment through the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund (COISIF), has helped to accelerate the company’s commercialisation and its next phase of growth.

Lemon Tree Soft Play Café took out a Start up Loan and is a growing business founded by three mothers and entrepreneurs, creating a haven for children and families in Newcastle upon Tyne.

North East based contract research organisation (CRO) Magnitude Biosciences helps its clients in the health & nutrition, biotech and pharmaceutical industries progress their research projects.

Barclay & Daughters is a family-run nationally competitive haulier with over 25 years of industry experience.

Caerphilly (and Hereford) based EverTrek is a growing online travel brand catering to the £1.7bn hard adventure segment of the £10.7bn UK adventure tourism market.

Simply Asset Finance was founded in April 2017 by a team of asset finance specialists, in response to the need for innovation and disruption in the sector. Simply have provided over £750m of funding to over 8,000 UK smaller businesses across the country through the ENABLE Funding programme.