Business Enterprise Fund

Overview

The Business Enterprise Fund (BEF) is a UK-based organization dedicated to offering fair and accessible finance to small businesses and social enterprises across the North of England. Over the past 12 years, BEF has invested £129.5 million, contributing £518 million to the region's economy and creating or safeguarding 17,610 jobs. Their mission is to support the growth and success of small businesses, fostering positive community impact. BEF offers a range of financial products tailored to the needs of emerging and growing businesses. Their Start Up Loans provide personal, unsecured finance up to £25,000 per applicant, while Small Business Loans offer flexible finance up to £250,000. These loans are designed to help businesses manage cash flow, hire and grow teams, launch new products or services, invest in tools, technology, or premises, expand into new markets, and tackle unexpected challenges with confidence. As an accredited partner of the British Business Bank, BEF delivers Start Up Loans, Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF) II Smaller Loans, and the Government Growth Scheme (GGS). They also support social enterprises and charities through the Community Investment Enterprise Facility (CIEF). Their approach focuses on understanding the unique needs of each business, providing not just financial support but also hands-on assistance to help businesses thrive and grow when other lenders may not fully assist.