Frequently asked questions

The Investment Fund for Scotland (IFS) will deliver a £150m commitment of new funding through investment strategies that best meet the needs of the businesses in Scotland. IFS is designed to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across Scotland. IFS will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for smaller businesses in Scotland, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance.

IFS does not invest directly in businesses. It invests through product funds which are managed by IFS’s appointed fund managers. The Fund will offer three commercial finance options with Smaller Loans from £25k to £100k, Debt Finance from £100k to £2m and Equity Finance up to £5 million.

IFS will offer three commercial finance options with Smaller Loans from £25k to £100k, Debt Finance from £100k to £2m and Equity Finance up to £5 million.

Enquiries and applications are made direct to IFS’s selected fund managers, full details of which can be viewed here . IFS cannot provide financial or business advice to businesses seeking funding and businesses may wish to engage their own accountant or business adviser if application assistance is required.

IFS covers the whole of Scotland, including rural, coastal and urban areas. Investments can be made in businesses that are headquartered in Scotland or have a significant operating presence there.

IFS has been designed to help address market gaps by increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for UK smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment. The product funds that IFS supports provide commercially focussed funding to businesses across Scotland. IFS’s product funds can invest alone or alongside other funders, and indeed IFS fund managers are encouraged to leverage-in additional private capital.

IFS’s product funds can invest alone or alongside other sources of debt or equity capital where appropriate.

IFS will have an inclusive approach, but some eligibility criteria do apply to IFS funding and fund managers will be able to advise on suitability.