Frequently asked questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

SWIF 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 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.

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

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.