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NPIF II - NEL Smaller Loans makes a five-figure investment to OptiMe to boost mental health support in the workplace

Press release 02 April 2025

NPIF II - NEL Smaller Loans which is managed by NEL Fund Managers as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) has announced a five-figure investment in OptiMe, a leading workplace wellbeing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform and app focused on revolutionising mental health support for employees across the UK.

The loan has supported OptiMe to unlock a grant from Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA). This is part of a wider project to help the company further personalise its platform’s wellbeing content, introduce AI-driven coaching features, and expand its team by creating 10 new jobs.

With this new investment, the company is well-positioned to scale up, broaden its reach and deliver meaningful impact across diverse industries by enhancing its platform’s capabilities and creating a more holistic approach to employee wellbeing. The funding will support with growth plans, which includes expanding headcount and investing in technology. This opens the door for OptiMe to onboard new clients, bring essential mental health resources to more companies and create healthier, happier workplaces, proving that employee wellbeing is not just a benefit but a key driver of success.

OptiMe’s commitment to improving mental health in the workplace comes at a crucial time, with companies increasingly recognising the importance of supporting their employees’ mental wellbeing. The platform is already trusted by high-profile clients such as Domino’s, Costa, and Newcastle College Group, providing tailored wellbeing solutions to enhance employee satisfaction, productivity, and overall health.

Commenting on the investment, Bethany Ainsley, founder of OptiMe, said:

We’re grateful for the investment from NPIF II - NEL Smaller Loans, which will drive accelerated growth and has also helped us unlock a business development grant from TVCA. This support positions us strongly for further venture funding and enables us to scale and make innovative workplace wellbeing solutions accessible to organisations of all sizes. Ultimately, we aim to transform workplace culture by providing personalised support that prioritises every employee's wellbeing.

Susan Snowdon, Investment Executive at NEL, added:

We are delighted to partner with OptiMe and support their inspiring vision for improving workforce wellbeing. Bethany and her team have demonstrated a deep commitment to helping organisations care for their people, and their track record speaks for itself. We believe this investment will not only propel OptiMe’s expansion but also bring tangible benefits to businesses throughout the region and beyond.

Sarah Newbould, Senior Investment Manager at British Business Bank, said:

NPIF II was created to support innovative business like OptiMe. This investment will empower a female-led business, drive new technology adoption and generate jobs in the region through national expansion.

The £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIFII) covers the entire North of England and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.

The purpose of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the North of England. The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for the North’s smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance.

For more information about NEL’s investment criteria, visit nel.co.uk or contact the Investment Team on 0345 369 7007.

NEL Fund Managers are also managing the NPIF II – NEL Debt Finance which offers Debt Finance from £100,000 to £2m to established businesses looking to realise their growth potential.

For more information about NEL, please visit nel.co.uk or contact the investment team on 0345 369 7007.

Further Information

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Notes to editors

About OptiMe

OptiMe is a female-led SaaS platform dedicated to supporting workplace wellbeing across the full spectrum of physical, emotional, and mental health. With clients including Domino’s, Costa, Wilton Universal Group, and Newcastle College Group, OptiMe combines expert wellbeing content, personalised support, and cutting-edge AI features to create a transformative employee experience - optimewellbeing.com.

About NEL Fund Managers

NEL Fund Managers Limited is North East England’s most active business investor, providing financial products to small and medium-sized businesses right across the region, and is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority – nel.co.uk.

About the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II

  • Operated by the British Business Bank, the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) provides a mix of debt and equity funding.  NPIF II will offer a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m and equity investment up to £5 million. It works alongside the Combined Authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), and Growth Hubs, as well as local intermediaries such as accountants, fund managers and banks, to support the South West’s smaller businesses at all stages of their development.
  • The funds in which the NPIF II invests are open to businesses with material operations, or planning to open material operations, in: Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, City of Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees, South Teesside, Darlington, Durham, Northumberland, Tyneside, Sunderland.
  • Supported by Nations and Regions Investments Limited, a subsidiary of British Business Bank plc, the Bank is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. Neither Nations and Regions Investments Limited nor British Business Bank plc are authorised or regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 
  • The investment from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II into OptiMe does not amount to any endorsement or warranty from Nations and Regions Investments Limited, the British Business Bank plc or the government of the United Kingdom.

Applications for funding are made directly to the relevant fund managers who can be contacted via the NPIF II webpages northernpowerhouseinvestment fund.co.uk.

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