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Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II completes first deal in Hull and East Yorkshire with youth support business

Press release 11 October 2024

Two men

Hull-based Wild Intervention, a business that delivers all-encompassing support to young people aged 16 and over, has secured a loan from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), following the launch of the Fund earlier this year.

The loan marks the first deal for NPIF II – BEF Smaller Loans in Hull and East Yorkshire, which is managed by Business Enterprise Fund (BEF) as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II.

After leaving a career in the navy in 2016, Caine Wild set up Wild Intervention in 2020 with the aim of bringing the benefits of outdoor education to young people and to support children by providing safe, nurturing outdoor activity programmes to develop self-confidence, improve wellbeing and learn essential life skills. The company also provides Supported Living services to ages over 16, as well as alternative education and outreach services to young people both at primary and secondary age. 

During the last year, Wild Intervention began working with young people who have been excluded from school by helping them complete their Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans. Wild Intervention will use the funding from NPIF II to develop an app, called Sapling, that can accurately store, monitor, and track each person’s progress through their EHC plan.

The funding will also help Wild Intervention free up cash flow to offer more community activities through the other arm of its business, Wild Opportunities. Wild Opportunities offers educational, employment, and community support, with discounted and free activities for young people's growth

Since launching in 2020, the business has grown rapidly and currently employs 64 members of staff who work directly with 48 young people.

Young people are the future of our country, which is why it’s so important we’re able to continue successfully supporting as many children as we can. This round of funding plays a central role in this aim by allowing us to develop the technology that will help young people gain the right level of support they need to thrive in the school environment. Working with NPIF II and BEF helped us access the finance we needed quickly to support our fast growth, and we are now looking to launch the app by the end of September. There are just over half-a-million children with an EHC plan, and we’re excited to support as many youngsters as we can, with this funding supporting us on this journey. Caine Wild Managing Director and Founder, Wild Interventions

Wild Intervention is an inspiring business with a strong social mission that transforms the lives of children and young people in the local community. Despite this, the business was unable to secure the finance it needed to enable growth, create new jobs, and increase the support it provides. Thankfully, NPIF II Smaller Loans is designed to support businesses like Wild Intervention.

Our investment in Wild Intervention represents a significant milestone for BEF as it is our first NPIF II – Smaller Loan delivered in Hull and East Yorkshire. This investment not only reflects our dedication to fostering local businesses and innovation but also highlights the positive impact that targeted financial support can have on businesses addressing significant social needs.

We look forward to Wild Intervention’s continued success which will create 15 new jobs and safeguard 43 jobs. We welcome the opportunity to support more of the region’s businesses with NPIF II – Smaller Loans.

Duane Walker Investment Manager at BEF
Access to finance plays a transformational role in the growth journeys of small companies, and it is fantastic to see this loan used to address an important social cause. Caine has identified a technological gap in his company that the loan will help address to take his business to the next level. As a region that is full of ambition, this is a great first deal in Hull and East Yorkshire and we’re excited to see more complete. Simon Cunnington Director at the British Business Bank

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.

Further Information

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Notes to editors

About Wild Intervention

Wild Intervention was established with the mission to provide enhanced supported accommodation for individuals aged 16 and above in the local area. Building on years of experience working in children’s homes, it now offers unique solo and group living settings, designed to foster personal growth and confidence. Alongside its living facilities, it offers an enriching activity package aimed at bolstering mental health and engagement.

Its services range from residential support and educational outreach to advocacy and recreational activities. Its goal is to equip young people with key skills for a successful transition into adulthood.

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 North’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.
  • Smaller Loans from £25,000 to £100,000 – GC Business Finance & River Capital (North West), Business Enterprise Fund (BEF) (Yorkshire and Humber) and NEL Fund Managers (North East)
  • Business Loans from £100,000 to £2m – FW Capital (North West), Mercia (Yorkshire and Humber) and NEL Fund Managers (North East)
  • Equity Finance up to £5m – Prateura Ventures (North West), Mercia (Yorkshire and Humber), and Maven Capital Partners (North East)

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

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