Success Stories

Learn how other UK businesses have used external finance to reach their ambition

Here’s just some of the tens of thousands of smaller businesses funded through our partners, with the support of British Business Bank’s programmes.

Have you received finance from one of our partners using one of our programmes? Do you want to have a chance of being featured as a success story on our website? Please email our Communications team to register your interest.

Enterprise Capital Funds

NQ64

NQ64 are a chain of unique bars across the country offering a range of specialist beers and cocktails which can be enjoyed by customers while playing a range of retro arcade games and consoles.

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Recovery Loan Scheme

Twynham House Nursery School

The business received an initial Bounce Back Loan (BBLS) before paying it off and moving to a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan (CBILS) via SWIG Finance. They then successfully applied for a Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) of £50,000 to invest in the business to take it forward and grow.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

Edward Thomas Interiors

With COVID-19 putting housebuilding on hold, Birmingham’s Edward Thomas Interiors couldn’t design and install its showhomes as normal. Forced to furlough 16 of its staff, the company applied for funds via the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) to ensure its survival.

Recovery Loan Scheme

Change Please

Founded in 2015, Change Please is an award-winning social enterprise through their Barista Training Programme, they train homeless people to become baristas and support them by selling great tasting coffee. In order for them to stay ahead and continue growing, they accessed a Recovery Loan Scheme.

Start Up Loans

Valiant Lingerie

Valiant Lingerie took out a £6,500 loan through Start Up Loans delivery partner Virgin Start Ups to start her business.

Enterprise Capital Funds

Wild Cosmetics

Wild Cosmetics, based in London, is on a mission to remove single use plastic and create high performing natural formulations that allow customers to switch to more sustainable everyday bathroom products.

Start Up Loans

Mama Claudia

Mama Claudia is a children’s accessories business based in Northern Ireland initially ran the business from her home, having received a Start Up Loan

Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund

Press on Vinyl

Press on Vinyl received a £350,000 investment from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, through fund manager FW Capital, which will enable it to grow and to create as many as 46 new jobs in the region over the next three years

Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund

Pure Pet Food

Pure Pet Food raised a multi-million-pound investment from Mercia and the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.

Start Up Loans

Tarian Drums

The company, the first of its kind in Wales, received a Start Up Loan of £10,000, which it has used to create sustainable drum moulds and to cover the cost of materials.

Start Up Loans

The Whisky Chairmen

The Whisky Chairmen received a Start Up Loan of £13,000 through delivery partner Transmit, which helped to provide the essential tooling, materials, rent and insurances needed to establish the business.

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Investment Fund

Arc Marine

ARC Marine received £1m in equity investment from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Investment Fund (CIOSIF) in a deal led by the FSE Group, enabling the company to create at least six new positions over the next three years.

ENABLE Funding

Gymfinity Kids

Gymfinity Kids, established in 2017, operate a series of activity clubs for children aged 3+ across six sites.

Midlands Engine Investment Fund

Velobici

Leicestershire-based Velobici manufactures and distributes high-end cycling apparel and accessories.

Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund

Collabor8Online

Maven Capital Partners invested £150,000 in cloud-based project management system, Collabor8Online on behalf of NPIF – Maven Equity Finance, part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.

Enterprise Capital Funds

NQ64

NQ64 are a chain of unique bars across the country offering a range of specialist beers and cocktails which can be enjoyed by customers while playing a range of retro arcade games and consoles.

Enterprise Capital Funds

Urban Legend

Urban Legend is the first brand from Believe in Science, a start-up applying cutting-edge science to the reformulation of indulgent bakery products, starting with the humble doughnut.

Start Up Loans

Tribal Milk

Rahma Ahmed Ali and Nura Nur secured a loan of £10,000 in July 2021 through delivery partner Financing Sharia Enterprise to start alternative dairy brand Tribal Milk.

Start Up Loans

Pop Pressed

Kayleigh Cooper took out a £15,000 Start Up Loan in December 2020 to launch POP Pressed – an organic and plant-based cold-pressed juice brand.