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Equity Finance up to £5 million
Equity finance is widely accepted as an important ingredient for businesses with potential for high growth.
Equity finance can be particularly important for new and innovative companies with high growth potential as it can provide long-term backing to fund business growth through to revenue and profit. In simple terms, equity finance is raising capital through the sale of shares in a business.
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II has particular interest in supporting equity investments, helping the North of England to become a vibrant and sustainable venture capital market. An equity-based investment could be right if you run an established business with ambitious plans, or a large start up with high growth potential.
How to apply
- Go to the fund manager’s website by clicking the box below.
- Make an enquiry directly to the fund manager.
- The fund manager will contact you to talk through your funding requirement.
- The fund manager may ask for more information and a formal application or pitch deck.
- The fund manager will evaluate your application and make the investment decision.
Have a question? Read our Frequently Asked Questions.
Funds Available
Equity Finance, Up to £5 million (North West)
Praetura Ventures WebsiteEquity Finance, Up to £5 million (Yorkshire & the Humber)
Mercia WebsiteEquity Finance, Up to £5 million (North East)
Maven WebsiteLatest News from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II

Blog post
Press release
Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II in the news
Manufacturer rolls out world’s first self-cleaning kiosk
25 July 2025
A company that makes the self-service kiosks used to place orders in Argos stores and fast-food restaurants has secured funding to help it roll out the world’s first self-sanitising kiosk at locations worldwide.
Learn more about manufacturer rolls out world’s first self-cleaning kioskNPIF II – NEL backs growth and job creation at Middlesbrough-based engineering supplier
24 July 2025
Middlesbrough-based Valves & Flow Control Resources Limited (VFCR) has secured a five-figure investment from NPIF II – NEL Smaller Loans, which is managed by NEL Fund Managers as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II.
Learn more about NPIF II – NEL backs growth and job creation at Middlesbrough-based engineering supplierVisual Architects transforming spaces with NPIF II backing
15 July 2025
Manchester-based event and interior design business Visual Architects has received a six-figure loan to accelerate its growth and expand its global client base.
Learn more about visual Architects transforming spaces with NPIF II backingNorthern Powerhouse Investment Fund II Success Stories

Magnitude Biosciences
Magnitude Biosciences, a specialist contract research organisation (CRO) in County Durham offering in vivo discovery of treatments for age-related conditions and other diseases using C. elegans, secured over £706,000 in combined funding to scale up its high-throughput screening (HTS) platform
Synergy Health
Synergy Health received a five-figure investment from NPIF II – River Capital & GC Business Finance Smaller Loans, which is managed by the consortium as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II.

Moxie Financial
Simplify Business Services Limited, trading as Moxie Financials received £50,000 from NPIF II – River Capital & GC Business Finance Smaller Loans, which is managed by the consortium as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II.
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