Latest news with #BusinessGrowthFund
Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Times
BGF pledges to invest £3bn in growth companies
Britain's most active equity investor has committed itself to investing more than £3 billion in growth companies over the next five years. BGF, a bank-owned investor in private businesses, said the pledge represented an increase in the amount of capital it invested over the previous five years of £700 million. The organisation, formerly known as the Business Growth Fund, said at least £300 million would go to businesses led by women. It is also understood to be in talks with the pension industry over how it could help to deploy capital that could arise from the so-called Mansion House reforms, which are intended to encourage more pension fund money into UK companies. The fund, which has 370 active businesses in its portfolio, was set up to expand the number and type of British companies taking on equity capital. It only acquires minority stakes of up to 40 per cent and, unlike traditional private equity, does not use debt to drive returns.
Daily Record
22-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
New North Lanarkshire Council's business grants programmes open for applications
The Business Start Up Fund can provide funding of up to £3000 to businesses about to start or those that have been operating for less than 12 months. North Lanarkshire Council's new business grant scheme is now open for applications with £1.150 million available to help businesses to start up and grow over the next year. The Business Start Up Fund can provide funding of up to £3000 to businesses about to start or those that have been operating for less than 12 months. The Business Growth Fund offers funding of up to £20,000 towards capital expenditure and/or infrastructure costs. Up to £5000 is available for workforce or skills development and up to £4000 funding is available towards the cost of attendance at trade shows or exhibitions. The grant funds are open to businesses based in North Lanarkshire operating in the following key sectors: advancing manufacturing, construction, creative industries, food and drink (manufacturing and processing), health and social care, life sciences, renewable energy, social enterprise, tourism and transport and logistics. Projects that help boost productivity, improve operating efficiencies, enhance trading capabilities and help local businesses to digitise and embrace net zero ambitions are encouraged. Councillor Alex McVey, Convener of Enterprise and Fair Work Committee at North Lanarkshire Council, said: 'Businesses are vital to growing the local economy. 'We know from our previous grant funding schemes how beneficial they are to help local businesses to innovate, invest and grow, and in turn employ more people. 'We, therefore, encourage businesses looking to expand or those looking to start a business, to get in touch to discuss how this funding could help.' The previous funding programme helped 198 businesses to start up or grow with over £1.3 million of funding through North Lanarkshire Council and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Restrictions apply to businesses that have received grant funding from North Lanarkshire Council in the last 24 months. To discuss your project and potential funding, please contact Business Gateway Lanarkshire on 01698 520775 or lanarkshire@
