Regional funding for growing businesses

Maven is a leading manager of regional growth funds and one of the UK’s foremost providers of finance for smaller businesses that are looking to scale up and stay ahead.

A local partner who knows your region

Talent, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit are embedded across the regions of the UK. With the right finance and support in place ambitious smaller companies can capitalise on those strengths and truly fulfil their growth potential.

The diverse range of funds we manage on behalf of partners, such as the British Business Bank, are designed to support the growth aspirations of ambitious SMEs across many UK regions, aiming to redress the oversupply of capital in London and the South East.   

From our network of offices across the country we build close and collaborative working relationships with each management team, giving them the freedom to get on with the day to day running of the business, whilst providing the capital and support required to help them achieve their growth objectives.

Our regional funds

Maven manages a number of funds that specialise in providing equity or debt finance to regionally based businesses across Scotland, the East Midlands, South West, and North East of England.

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Finance Durham Fund

Debt and equity finance from £200,000 to £2 million for businesses located in or looking to relocate to County Durham.

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IFS - Maven Equity Finance

Equity finance of up to £5 million for ambitious, growth focused SMEs located across Scotland.

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MEIF II - Debt Finance East and South East Midlands

Debt finance from £100,000 to £2 million for SMEs located across the East and South East Midlands.

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North East Development Capital Fund

Debt, equity and mezzanine finance from £400,000 to £2 million for SMEs located across the North East of England.

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NPIF II - Maven Equity Finance

Equity finance up to £5 million for ambitious businesses located across the North East of England.

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SWIF - Maven Equity Finance

Equity finance of up to £5 million for ambitious SMEs located across the South West of England.

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Why partner with Maven

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Our highly experienced UK wide team are based across an extensive regional office network, providing a local presence with national scale.

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We are the trusted investment partner for ambitious management teams across all corners of the UK.

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We have a proven track record of investing in and helping high growth SMEs to transition into larger more valuable businesses. 

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We manage a diverse range of funds for all stages of growth, ensuring that we have the potential to continue supporting your business as it grows.

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Frequently asked questions

What is regional funding?
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Thousands of businesses across the UK are yet to realise their full potential. Funding and support at a local level are often the key catalyst for propelling business growth, yet many SMEs struggle to access finance and are capital constrained. 

There’s potential in every corner of the country, not just London and the South East. As a result, there are a growing number of regional funds which have been established to address this funding gap and provide a feasible option for ambitious SMEs who are seeking venture capital, private equity or debt finance.
 
Financial support is allocated to specific geographic areas or regions to foster economic growth, generate employment opportunities, and tackle regional disparities. Its purpose is to promote balanced development and address the specific needs and challenges of different regions.

What is an example of a regional fund?
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An example would be the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF) a collaboration between the British Business Bank and ten Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in the North West, Yorkshire, the Humber and Tees Valley, that provides commercially focussed finance through Microfinance, Debt and Equity Finance funds available to eligible companies. 

Another is the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), which operates across the West Midlands and East and South East Midlands, providing commercially focussed finance through Small Business Loans, Debt Finance, Proof of concept and Equity Finance funds to eligible companies. 

Funds are run in a commercially sustainable way, promoting borrowing and investing for growth.

How do I know if my business is eligible for regional funding?
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Depending on the stage of growth of your business and the type of funding you are applying for, each fund will have its own eligibility criteria. The regional funds Maven manages, on behalf of clients such as the British Business Bank, are aimed at ambitious SMEs with high growth potential who are looking to scale up or stay ahead and are only available to businesses who are located within the geographical area specified. For more detailed information on eligibility and the regions covered, you should visit the dedicated webpage for each fund.