Launch of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund

The British Business Bank has launched a further wave of its £250 million Midlands Engine Investment Fund with up to £100 million of equity finance to be made available to small businesses across the West, East and South-East Midlands.

The Greater Lincolnshire LEP will work with fund managers, other LEP areas and the wider business community to ensure the new round of funding broadens the opportunities available to businesses across Midlands.

Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, Housing Secretary and Ministerial Champion for the Midlands Engine, said: “The Midlands Engine already boasts over 14 per cent of the UK’s high-growth businesses and its economy is worth more than £230 billion – larger than countries like Denmark.

"We want to harness its huge potential and help give small firms across the Midlands that much needed boost to grow their business.

“Ensuring every part of the UK can play to its strengths and spread prosperity is central to our Industrial Strategy, and this fund will not only generate jobs to benefit the entire Midlands but, ultimately, the British economy.”

Patrick Magee, Chief Commercial Officer, British Business Bank, said: “On Tuesday the British Business Bank’s Small Business Finance Market report revealed significant regional imbalances in the supply of equity finance across the UK.  We believe there is a major opportunity to increase the supply of equity finance in the Midlands, and to enhance the growth ecosystem.

"The British Business Bank already supplies £1.2 billion of finance to Midlands businesses and the Midlands Engine Investment Fund will provide more in the most needed areas. 

“The launch of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund’s equity finance will help to grow the region’s access to funds to support its economic potential and collective talent. I encourage Midlands businesses looking to take the next step in their growth journey to connect with our three Fund Managers to see how equity finance could benefit them."

Jonathan Taylor, Vice President of the European Investment Bank, said: “This exciting new initiative will enable companies across the Midlands to expand, create new jobs and harness business opportunities. The European Investment Bank is pleased to support the new Midlands Engine Investment Fund that follows the proven success of regional funds elsewhere in the UK and across Europe to provide new investment that addresses the specific financing needs of local firms.”

Following the launch, the Midlands Engine Investment Fund and the Greater Lincolnshire LEP hosted one of ten briefing events across the Midlands on Friday 23rd March 2018 at The Lawn in Lincoln. The event provided intermediary advisers with the opportunity to learn more about the funding available, its potential uses and, most importantly, how to apply.