River Capital delivers flexible debt funding across the North West supporting businesses at every stage of their journey.
From startup entrepreneurs to established SMEs planning major expansion, we provide alternative finance when mainstream funders reach their limits. Our three specialist debt funds offer loans from £25,000 to £1 million, designed to complement traditional banking and fill critical funding gaps.
What is Debt Funding?
Key Characteristics
We work in collaboration with our funding partners, to ensure the most suitable form of funding is offered to you and your business.
The loan is amortising and needs to be repaid along with interest and fees by the end of the agreed timeframe.
River Capital’s debt products focus on situations where an SME are looking to grow, rather than replace existing borrowings.
Each SME applicant is assigned a dedicated relationship manager, and each approved SME retains a portfolio manager for the loan’s duration.
Loan investment is non-equity diluting and shareholders retain ownership control.
To support an SME’s growth our investments are flexible to work in collaboration with other funders.
Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II
Smaller loans from £25,000 to £100,000
NPIF II River Capital & GC Business Finance Smaller loans
- Small business loans
- For new or growing businesses
Whether you are an entrepreneur wishing to start your own business, an early stage or more established business looking to grow you may find it difficult obtaining the finance you need. Smaller loans can be used to fill the funding gap for growth and development projects.
Play XD Ltd
Play XD Ltd, an independent game studio based in Chorley, Lancashire, successfully secured £100,000 in growth funding from NPIF II to accelerate development of their Meta-partnered VR game "Primal Rumble®" and expand their workforce by nine skilled positions. This case study examines how strategic investment enabled a regional gaming company to scale operations while maintaining local roots.
£100,000
Investment
North West Business Growth Loan Fund
Delivered by River Capital, this debt fund provides an alternative source of commercial finance for SMEs across the North West & North Wales.
Providing loans between £100k – £500k that will be complementary to main stream funders where they may be limited to support.
The Fund looks to support businesses at various stages of development and can consider working capital, capital expenditure, acquisitions, management buyouts and other growth related activities. Commercial lending through the fund is sector agnostic with an aim to help create jobs and social outcomes which help meet the investors aims of improving commercial prosperity across the region.
Steven A Hunt & Associates
In November 2024, River Capital announced investment in Liverpool-based M&E engineering consultancy, Steven A Hunt & Associates Ltd. The funding was structured to facilitate a management buyout (MBO) by the senior management team, who have remained in the business in a consultancy capacity to provide continued support.
£500,000
Investment
Flexible Growth Fund
The £10m Flexible Growth Fund financed by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, aims to encourage investment in new capital expenditure projects by LCR based businesses that will help create jobs.
Providing fee free, Interest subsidised loans up to £1m, this fund can provide up to 50% of eligible capital expenditure repayable over a maximum 5 year term.
An initial Expression of Interest will determine whether the project fits with the fund guidelines before embarking on a full application encompassing a business plan and financial forecasts.
In addition, social value needs to be demonstrated in the applications alongside a commitment to helping achieve the region’s Net Zero targets.
Liverpool Climbing Hangar
Through strategic support from River Capital's Flexible Growth Fund, Liverpool Climbing Hangar has expanded to 11 sites across the UK, employing 189 staff and serving over 22,000 members.
£496,000
Investment
