Finance options

Learn about the different finance options available to UK businesses.

Learn about our finance options

From business loans and grants to equity finance, there are a range of different types of finance available to UK businesses.

Debt finance

For smaller business owners seeking financial support, some sort of debt finance can be a desirable option. 

This process involves securing funds from a financial institution and agreeing to repay the borrowed amount, along with any accrued interest, over a period of time.

Debt Finance
Open for applications

Bank Referral Scheme

The Bank Referral Scheme helps businesses by referring them to the right lender when they have been unsuccessful in finding a lending facility. Learn how it can help.

Learn more about the Bank referral scheme
Open for applications

Community Enable Funding Programme

The British Business Bank’s Community ENABLE Funding (CEF) Programme is here to help social impact ‘non for profit’ lenders - like Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) - access more funding and reduce financial constraints. This means they can better support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially those in underserved communities, by increasing the availability of finance.

Learn more about the Community Enable Funding Programme
Open for applications

FinTech

We are continuing to engage actively with market participants, seeking appropriate opportunities in the FinTech alternative lending sector.

Learn more about FinTech
Open for applications

Debt Funds

We focus our efforts on supporting established as well as emerging managers raising funds that lend to smaller, generally higher growth, companies with revenues of up to £100m

Learn more about Debt Funds
Open for applications

ENABLE Programmes

Find out about our ENABLE Programmes and how we support financial institutions to unlock more lending for smaller businesses.

Learn more about the ENABLE Programmes
Open for applications

Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS)

The Growth Guarantee Scheme is the successor to the Recovery Loan Scheme. It is designed to support access to finance for UK smaller businesses as they look to invest and grow, and was launched with accredited lenders on 1st July 2024.

Learn more about the Growth Guarantee Scheme

Equity Finance

Equity finance involves a business owner selling shares in their business to an investor in order to raise money.

Equity Finance
Open for applications

Angel Cofund

The Angel CoFund invests alongside business angels to support businesses with strong growth potential. Learn more about how the Fund works.

Learn more about the Angel Co-Fund
Open for applications

Future Fund: Breakthrough

Future Fund: Breakthrough is a £425m UK-wide programme which encourages private investors to co-invest in growth stage, Research & Development (R&D) UK companies operating in breakthrough technology sectors.

Learn more about Future Fund: Breakthrough
In progress

Investor Pathways Capital

The Investor Pathways Capital initiative aims to support diverse and emerging fund managers across the economy and make it easier for new entrants, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to break into venture capital. The initiative, which will capture the value of a more inclusive investment ecosystem, is expected to launch during the first half of 2026.

Learn more about Investor Pathways Capital
Open for applications

Life Sciences Investment Programme

The Life Sciences Investment Programme (LSIP) is a £200m initiative which makes cornerstone commitments to later stage life sciences venture growth funds with a strong UK focus.

Learn more about Life Sciences Investment Programme
In progress

Long-term Investment for Technology and Science (LIFTS)

The Long-term Investment for Technology and Science (LIFTS) initiative seeks proposals from industry for the establishment of new funds or investment structures to crowd in UK institutional investment, particularly Defined Contribution (DC) pension funds, to support the growth and ambitions of the UK’s most innovative science and technology companies.

Learn more about Long-term Investment for Technology and Science (LIFTS)
Open for applications

Patient Capital Funds

Through our core £2.5bn programme we invest in venture and venture growth capital funds, and co-invest alongside those funds in the most promising later-stage UK businesses within our portfolio.

Learn more about Patient Capital Funds

Our Nations and Regions Investment Funds

The Nations and Regions Investment Funds aim to foster sustainable economic development by encouraging innovation and facilitating local opportunities for both new and growing businesses throughout the UK. 
 

Nations and Regions Investment Funds

Our legacy programmes

Learn more about the historic programmes we've managed and their impact.

Legacy programmes

Sign up for our newsletter

Just add your details to receive updates and news from the British Business Bank

Sign up to our newsletter