The fund provides flexible loan finance of between £100,000 and £500,000 to ambitious SMEs seeking growth capital, working capital, and funding for expansion, acquisition, and succession. Typical as an alternative to bank funding but has successfully invested alongside to build a total funding package for growth.

Capital has been deployed into 38 businesses across the North West including Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, and Lancashire and reflects the diversity of the North West economy, with investments spanning energy, specialist recruitment, construction equipment, professional services, and hospitality.

Among the businesses backed by the fund is Powerhub Solutions, a Stockport-based energy optimisation business that helps commercial clients across the UK reduce energy consumption, lower costs and improve sustainability performance through a range of end-to-end energy management services. The fund also supported Liverpool-headquartered Actua through a management buyout, enabling the specialist building surveying and construction consultancy to continue its growth trajectory and expand its service offering.

The portfolio also includes The Hospitality Collective, a group of independent hospitality businesses operating across the North West. Supported through a single coordinated investment, the funding has helped strengthen a collection of established venues, demonstrating the fund’s flexibility in supporting a diverse range of business models and growth ambitions across the region.

The strength of the portfolio is reflected not only in its scale, but also in its resilience and the enduring relationships River Capital has built with the businesses it supports. Through ongoing engagement and support, River Capital has helped nurture a number of high-quality businesses, several of which have already repaid their facilities ahead of schedule. This performance underscores both the calibre of the businesses and management teams backed by River Capital, and the value of its long-term partnership approach.

Jim Moore, Business Growth Loan Investment Manager at River Capital, said:

“£10 million deployed into 40 ambitious North West businesses is a real milestone for this fund, and one we’re proud of. What stands out isn’t just the scale, it’s the breadth – from energy and construction to hospitality and professional services – and the strength of the relationships behind every deal. Several businesses have already repaid ahead of schedule, which speaks volumes about the calibre of the management teams we’re backing and the value of taking a long-term, partnership-led approach to growth funding.”

John Gray River Capital Head of Debt said:

“River Capital has been proud to deliver the North West Business Growth Loan Fund since its launch in October 2022, working alongside cornerstone investors MSIF and TDC to build this portfolio from the ground up. Reaching £10 million deployed across 40 businesses is a strong demonstration of what’s possible when patient, regionally-focused capital is matched with the right delivery partner. It’s particularly pleasing to see businesses repaying ahead of schedule – that’s the kind of outcome that lets us keep recycling capital back into ambitious North West SMEs for years to come.”

ENDS