Success Stories

DBI Supporting underrepresented minority ethnic groups during the pandemic

The business received an initial Bounce Back Loan (BBLS) before paying it off and moving to a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan (CBILS) via SWIG Finance. They then successfully applied for a Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) of £50,000 to invest in the business to take it forward and grow.

ARC Marine received £1m in equity investment from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Investment Fund (CIOSIF) in a deal led by the FSE Group, enabling the company to create at least six new positions over the next three years.

After Sophie and her partner Sam secured loans of £20,000 each through delivery partner SWIG, they put all they had into creating a space that Cornwall would love.

Aiming to provide its customers with greener, more economical transport options, this electric vehicle retailer found itself in urgent need of financial support as lockdowns and travel restrictions reduced the need for transport.

Having launched in summer 2019 and experienced an encouraging start to life as a new business, this Cornish chocolate company had strong plans for the future. But once the COVID-19 pandemic asserted itself, the business had no option but to seek financial support in order to find new ways of working.

Used to running her business as a one-woman operation, Osmology founder Elizabeth Drew was looking to take on her first employee when COVID-19 hit.

Having already struggled through a challenging winter of bad weather, the arrival of COVID-19 and the associated lockdown meant this Cornwall riding centre had to shut down.

Having taken on the business in 2018, the owners of this coaching inn, bar and restaurant were finally ready to see a profit for their endeavour. But when COVID-19 caused them to close, all their income disappeared and they were forced to make staff redundant.

Facing serious financial issues as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, digital marketing agency WNW Digital sought support via the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) so its plans for growing the business over the coming months and years wouldn’t be scuppered.

As a provider of school meals to millions of childr

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted a number of key markets for this Bristol software company, forcing the business to refocus its activity in different areas.

Government guidelines implemented to tackle COVID-19 meant cookery school Little Kitchen had to close its doors. With a much-needed relocation to new, larger premises already underway, the business required a boost of working capital to stay operating. For this, it applied to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).

Having only recently spent a large sum on inventory for the summer season ahead, the COVID-19 shutdown couldn’t have come at a worse time for retail group Goulds (Dorchester) Limited.

The COVID-19 shutdown prevented people from moving house and businesses relocating to new premises.

Brian Stoneman secured a Start Up Loan of £6,600 in March 2017 to put towards the running of Academy ICT.

Spotless Cleaning operates mostly in the holiday let sector and has grown significantly since being established a little over three years ago, with turnover increasing from around £50,000 in 2017 to an expected £100,000+ this year.

Inga Irvine opened her art gallery, North 55 Falmouth, with the help of a £6,500 Start up Loan.