Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated 23 November 2023

Answers about the Investment Fund for Wales

What is the Investment Fund for Wales?

The Investment Fund for Wales (IFW) will deliver a £130m commitment of new funding through investment strategies that best meet the needs of the businesses in Wales. IFW is designed to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across Wales. IFW will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for smaller businesses in Wales, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance.

How does IFW invest?

IFW does not invest directly in businesses. It invests through product funds which are managed by IFW’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.

What type of funding does IFW offer?

IFW 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.

How do I apply for funding?

Enquiries and applications are made direct to IFW’s selected fund managers, full details of which can be viewed here. IFW 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.

Where do I need to be based to apply for a IFW investment?

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

What's the difference between IFW and high street finance providers?

IFW 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 IFW supports provide commercially focussed funding to businesses across Wales.

My bank can’t fund the total amount that I need, how can IFW help?

IFW’s product funds can invest alone or alongside other funders, and indeed IFW fund managers are encouraged to leverage-in additional private capital.

What funding is not eligible for IFW support?

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

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Answers about the Investment Fund for Northern Ireland

What is the Investment Fund for Northern Ireland?

The Investment Fund for Northern Ireland (IFNI) will deliver a £70m commitment of new funding through investment strategies that best meet the needs of the businesses in Northern Ireland. IFNI is designed to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across Northern Ireland. IFNI will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for smaller businesses in Northern Ireland, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance.

How does IFNI invest?

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

What type of funding does IFNI offer?

IFNI will offer two commercial finance options with Debt Finance from £25k to £2m and Equity Finance up to £5 million.

How do I apply for funding?

Enquiries and applications are made direct to IFNI’s selected fund managers, full details of which can be viewed here. IFNI 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.

Where do I need to be based to apply for a IFNI investment?

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

What's the difference between IFNI and high street finance providers?

IFNI has been designed to help address market failures 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 IFNI supports provide commercially focussed funding to businesses across Northern Ireland. IFNI’s product funds can invest alone or alongside other funders, and indeed IFNI fund managers are encouraged to leverage-in additional private capital.

My bank can’t fund the total amount that I need, how can IFNI help?

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

What funding is not eligible for IFNI support?

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

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Answers about the Investment Fund for Scotland

What is the Investment Fund for Scotland?

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.

How does IFS invest?

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.

What type of funding does IFS offer?

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.

How do I apply for funding?

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.

Where do I need to be based to apply for a IFS investment?

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.

What's the difference between IFS and high street finance providers?

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.

My bank can’t fund the total amount that I need, how can IFS help?

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

What funding is not eligible for IFS support?

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.

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Answers about the South West Investment Fund

What is the South West Investment Fund?

The South West Investment Fund (SWIF) will deliver a £200m commitment of new funding through investment strategies that best meet the needs of the businesses in the South West of England (the “South West”). SWIF is designed to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. SWIF will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance.

How does SWIF invest?

SWIF does not invest directly in businesses. It invests through product funds which are managed by SWIF’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.

What type of funding does SWIF offer?

SWIF 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.

How do I apply for funding?

Enquiries and applications are made direct to SWIF’s selected Fund Managers, full details of which can be viewed here. SWIF 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.

Where do I need to be based to apply for a SWIF investment?

SWIF covers the entire South West region, including Bristol, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Investments can be made in businesses that are headquartered in the South West or have a significant operating presence there.

What's the difference between SWIF and high street finance providers?

SWIF 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 SWIF supports provide commercially focussed funding to businesses across the South West. SWIF’s product funds can invest alone or alongside other funders, and indeed SWIF fund managers are encouraged to leverage-in additional private capital.

My bank can’t fund the total amount that I need, how can SWIF help?

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

What funding is not eligible for SWIF support?

SWIF will have an inclusive approach, but some eligibility criteria do apply to SWIF funding and Fund Managers will be able to advise on suitability.

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