Est. 2002 as non-profit co-operative lender. £100m+ cumulative lending, £518m econ. impact. 1,594 businesses supported; 5,900+ jobs created; 11,779 safeguarded. FY24-25: £9.9m to 124 firms (68% increase YoY). Fund manager: Investment Fund for Wales, Midlands Engine Investment Fund II (£400m). Team: 15+. Dedicated business development managers; face-to-face underwriting.
Investment Focus
Investment Thesis
Community development finance lender, not VC. CDFI supporting underserved SMEs unable to access traditional bank finance. £10k-£250k loans (core: £10k-£150k per original scope). West Midlands & Wales only. Non-profit; relationship-based underwriting, no credit scoring. Excludes: property development, shipbuilding, agriculture, refinancing, failing businesses. Strong impact focus: 34.6% lending to disadvantaged areas; 21% female-led; 20% ethnic-led.
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