Success Stories

Founded in 2020, Kris Ball launched The Padel Club after recognising its rising popularity while working abroad. With no courts available in his local area, Wilmslow, Kris decided to start the business in the anticipation that demand for the sport would take off.

The first deal from the Investment Fund for Northern Ireland saw fund manager Whiterock facilitate a £100,000 loan to The Bucks Head Inn in Dundrum.

Data solutions company INQDATA received £750,000 in equity investment from the Investment Fund for Northern Ireland in a deal led by Clarendon Fund Managers.

An award-winning Belfast boutique hotel secured a £160,000 loan from the Investment Fund for Northern Ireland to expand and build on their success.

A clinic specialising in neurotechnology received a £50,000 loan through the Investment Fund for Scotland delivered by DSL Business Finance.

A small hospitality operator based in the Highlands has received funding through the Investment Fund for Scotland to expand following recent success.

Medical technology business Carcinotech received £750,000 in equity investment from the Investment Fund for Scotland through appointed fund managers Maven Capital Partners.

Based in Blackburn, Littlefair's Wood Finishing Products, an award-winning and environmentally-friendly wood finishing products brand, has raised £75,000 from NPIF II

FinLegal - a Sheffield-based LegalTech company whose platform is used by the leading claims firms in the UK and Australia - raised £1.5m to accelerate the growth of its client base internationally.

A York accountancy firm has secured a six-figure loan from NPIF II – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia Debt as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), to support its continued growth following its acquisition of another local practice.

Based in Harrogate, Kirsty’s, the UK’s leading ‘free from’ range of ready meals, has raised £2m from NPIF II

Based in Liverpool, BioGrad Education, a specialist laboratory education provider, has raised a six figure investment from NPIF II – FW Capital Debt Finance, managed by FW

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. 

Founded by Sophie Platts, Floks specialises in sustainable bedding including duvets, pillows and mattress toppers, all made from British wool and organic cotton and manufactured in Yorkshire.

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.