South West Investment Fund now available for businesses looking to grow

A new funding opportunity for ambitious and entrepreneurial growing businesses in the South West has been launched.

The South West Investment Fund is the first in a series of new Nations and Regions Investment Funds being launched by the British Business Bank and will deliver a £200 million commitment of new funding to the area.

It is part of a larger £1.6 billion investment commitment to UK businesses to drive sustainable economic growth in the region.

Whilst it is expected that the current amount made available will last for a period of time, it is always possible that the fund could be topped up later on if demand continues to be present. 

Possible announcements in a future Budget or new policies emanating from a change of government could also alter the conditions of the fund in due course.

The fund’s aim and range

The South West Investment Fund is designed to support the growth of small and medium-sized businesses across the South West of England, and in particular to increase the supply and diversity of finance for ambitious and entrepreneurial growing businesses.

A range of commercial finance options are available from the fund, with loans from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investment up to £5 million. 

The new fund covers the entire South West region including Bristol, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wiltshire.

Fund management

The British Business Bank has appointed a team of dedicated fund managers to manage the South West Investment Fund. They are FSE Group, FW Capital, Maven, and SWIG Finance. 

• SWIG Finance will manage the smaller loans part of the fund (£25,000 to £100,000) for the whole South West. 


• FW Capital and Maven will manage the debt (£100,000 to £2 million) and equity funds (up to £5 million) respectively for the north of the region. 


• The FSE Group will manage both debt and equity for the south of the region.

In order to make a successful approach to the fund, applications will need to be clear on the amount of debt and/or equity required and for what purpose.

Bishop Fleming’s Funding Advisory Team has a long track record of making clear and cogent applications for funding from various sources and can help in preparing a viable business case for the South West Investment Fund.

Contact our team for advice

Bishop Fleming’s Funding Advisory Team specialises in advising and helping the directors and owners of businesses faced with commercial, operational or financial challenges, including the challenges of funding growth.

In our experience, a well worked business plan including a financial model is key, which we can prepare on your behalf.

Our funding advisory team is highly experienced and skilled in supporting businesses in raising both debt and equity.

If you would like to discuss finance for your business, please get in touch with a member of our Funding Advisory Team for an informal conversation.