Case Studies

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.

Sherbet Taxi is a leading eco-friendly electric taxi company based in London that accessed finance through Simply Asset Finance via the ENABLE Funding programme to recover after the Covid-19 pandemic, and replace their fleet from diesel to electric LEVC black cabs with the aim to build a stronger and healthier city with their iconic black taxis.

Nottingham-based True Position Robotics (TPR) raises £1 million equity investment. The equity investment received through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II and managed by Mercia Ventures will enable the business to scale up operations and continue its research and development.

Lucky Saint completed a Series A funding round with JamJar Investments, supported by the Bank’s Enterprise Capital Funds programme. This capital allowed the business to grow its team and provided the funding to open the Lucky Saint pub.

Formed in 1993, Eurotek’s headquarters are in Elland, West Yorkshire. Eurotek provides foundry additives, which help to prevent casting defects, and its product range covers most of the major additives required to form castings that foundries need.

CrowdProperty backs SME businesses to build much-needed homes throughout Britain, with the majority of projects outside of London and the South East. Fiji Homes and Properties Ltd is a husband and wife development team, Dr Mayowa Oluwatosin and Dr Nkiru Oluwatosin, who have completed 15 previous projects, several of which have been supported by CrowdProperty.

Founded in 2007, Alma Rail provides track engineering services, including track inspections, repairs, installation of new track, track drainage, railway-related civil engineering and rail-related building work.

Complete Smiles is a start-up offering general, cosmetic and advanced dentistry. The business required finance from Kingsway to begin scaling up from an initial pilot, and to support growth. Started in 2021, it is in the process of opening a second dental practice to support current demand on services

Started in 2017, Yoto is an interactive audio player platform for kids. With big growth ambitions, it sought finance to scale its products, processes and systems and allow Yoto to expand internationally and to hire a world-class team.