Archives

UK VC Funds Launched Since 2020 Outperform US based Funds : Research

UK venture capital market continues to perform reasonably well as UK funds launched after 2020 reportedly outperform US funds, and earlier vintages performed in line or consistent with the Rest of Europe. Research from the British Business Bank, UK Venture Capital Financial Returns 2025, indicates… Read More

British Business Bank Releases Plan to Deliver Step Change in Smaller Business Finance

The British Business Bank responds to an updated mandate from the UK Government by releasing a 5-year strategic plan for delivering a “step change in how UK smaller businesses are financed.” The bank’s mission is to drive economic growth by helping smaller businesses get “the… Read More

British Business Bank’s UK Growth Partnership Unveils Partners for Targeted £200M Initial Close of Fund at End of FY

The British Business Bank has announced that Aegon UK, NatWest Cushon, and M&G are the partners for the initial close of the British Growth Partnership Fund I, currently subject to final terms and relevant approvals. All parties have now completed investment “diligence” and are said… Read More

British Business Bank’s Investor Pathways Capital Initiative Now Taking Microfund Applications to Support Fund Managers

The British Business Bank has opened applications for Microfunds as part of its new £400m Investor Pathways Capital initiative. Microfunds is dedicated to supporting very early-stage investors from a wide range of backgrounds in building investment track records and launching their first venture capital funds…. Read More

British Business Bank Co-Invests £250M Directly in UK based Scale-Ups

The British Business Bank announced that it co-invested more than £250 million into the UK’s scale-up firms. This latest capital injection has been channeled into 33 UK tech and life science firms, more than half of which are described as being university spinouts. These firms… Read More

British Business Bank’s Mission Gets Update

The British Business Bank has received an update on its mission. According to the bank, during the Regional Investment Summit, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, issued a new Statement of Strategic Priorities. This statement emphasizes the need for the Bank to support… Read More

4Syte Agrees to New Funding Facility from NatWest with Support from the British Business Bank

In a boost for the UK’s SMEs, invoice finance specialist 4Syte Funding Limited has agreed a funding facility of up to £100 million with NatWest Bank. Announced recently, the deal is supported by the British Business Bank‘s ENABLE Guarantees program, which guarantees a portion of… Read More

British Business Bank to Support Close Brothers Asset Financing, Up to £300 Million

The British Business Bank says it will support up to £300m with Close Brothers under the ENABLE Guarantees programme. The financing is associated with Close Brothers Asset Finance, covering hire purchase, sale and hire purchase back and leasing facilities. Participating firms are incentivised by a… Read More

British Business Bank Reports £2.5 Billion Lent Under Growth Guarantee Scheme

The British Business Bank is reporting £2.5 billion of lending under its Growth Guarantee Scheme. Much of the financing went to firms outside of London. Overall, the lending has gone to £368 million for manufacturing, over £366 million to wholesale and retail, and over £234… Read More

Average UK AI Deal 40% Larger Than Market Norm

The average size of artificial intelligence (AI) deals was significantly higher than deals across the wider UK equity market in 2024, underlining the continued focus on the sector, reveals the British Business Bank’s annual Small Business Equity Tracker. The average AI equity deal in the… Read More

British Business Bank to Pump £6.6 Billion into Early Stage Firms

British Business Bank says it will dedicate £6.6 billion to support innovative, early stagefirms. The Secretary of State for the Department for Business and Trade said the funds were being committed by the British Business Bank to “boost growth, marking a major step change in… Read More

British Business Bank Tops £5 Billion in Lending ENABLE Program

The British Business Bank has surpassed £5 billion of lending across its guarantee programmes, ENABLE Guarantees and ENABLE Build. The bank noted that much of the funding was for firms based outside of London. The ENABLE program is designed to encourage additional lending to SMEs… Read More

British Business Bank’s Arm BBB Investment Services to Offer Investment Services

The Financial Conduct Authority has granted regulatory approval to BBB Investment Services Limited, the British Business Bank’s third-party arm, to provide investment services to clients. This is reportedly an important first regulatory step in the preparation for launch of the British Growth Partnership. Announced at… Read More

Creative Growth Finance Accredited as Delivery Partner Under British Business Bank Growth Guarantee Scheme

The British Business Bank announces the accreditation of Creative Growth Finance as a delivery partner under the Growth Guarantee Scheme. Creative Growth Finance (CGF) is Creative UK’s specialist £35m debt fund, which provides growth capital “to high-potential smaller businesses in the UK’s creative sector.” The… Read More

British Business Bank Agrees to New Facility with BFS Marine Finance

The British Business Bank has agreed a new facility with BFS Marine Finance, designed to increase the flow of finance to smaller businesses within the commercial marine sector. The structured finance facility of up to £20m will “allow BFS Marine Finance to provide secured financing… Read More

British Business Bank Commits £100 Million Guarantee with Cynergy Bank

The British Business Bank has committed to an ENABLE Guarantee transaction of up to £100 million with Cynergy Bank PLC. The goal is to support its asset-based lending arm Cynergy Business Finance Limited expand its lending to UK small businesses. Cynergy offers invoice based lending… Read More

British Business Bank Funds £30 Million for THENA Capital’s Medtech Fund

The British Business Bank has committed up to £30 million to THENA Capital’s inaugural UK MedTech Fund. The fund reportedly has held its first close at £27 million with commitments from Firebird Collective, This Day Foundation, Baroness Martha Lane Fox, and other individuals. The fund… Read More

British Business Bank’s 2024/25 Report Shows Growing Specialty Lender Market Share

The British Business Bank’s Small Business Finance Markets 2024/25 report, published this week, finds that challenger and specialist banks’ share of gross lending is the highest on record – accounting for 60% and outperforming the UK’s big five banks. The report also finds that business… Read More

Oxbury Bank Receives £100M British Business Bank Top-Up

The British Business Bank has agreed to a further £100 million increase to its existing ENABLE Guarantee transaction with leading Fintech Oxbury Bank, a UK bank with a singular focus on farmers, food production and the rural economy. The ENABLE Guarantee program encourages additional lending… Read More

Funding Circle UK and British Business Bank Mark 10 Years of Supporting SMEs

Supporting smaller businesses in the UK is crucial because they are the backbone of the nation’s economy, contributing significantly to employment, innovation, and regional development. That’s why Funding Circle UK are pleased to have played a part in this effort through a key partnership. Together,… Read More

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