What We Do
Smaller businesses are a vital part of the economy. They make up the overwhelming majority of businesses in the UK, employ millions of people and are responsible for almost half of private sector turnover. Their success helps to fuel UK productivity and economic growth.
Our role, as a commercial subsidiary of the British Business Bank, is to increase the overall supply and diversity of finance – both product and provider – on offer to UK smaller businesses. We do this while providing value for money for UK taxpayers.
We do not finance small businesses directly, but instead work with the market to provide funding through our delivery partners. Our partners have investment programmes for a broad range of small and high growth businesses across sectors, regions and business stages.
Although we are Government-owned, we are managed independently. We have a clear mission, but with a high degree of flexibility to deliver our objectives, guided by our independent Board and investment committees. We design programmes and choose investments in response to needs and gaps in the market and continually look for new methods and partners to address the challenges small businesses face.
Debt finance
Through our investment programme, we’re not only increasing the supply of debt finance to smaller businesses, but making the available options more diverse too.
Equity capital
By investing through partners in funds and high-potential businesses, our equity programmes work to provide a larger and more diverse range of equity finance options.
Latest updates
28 September 2021
Asset finance companies provide funding to smaller businesses which need to acquire...
16 September 2021
British Business Investments announces new £15m commitment to Liberty Leasing
10 August 2021
Praetura Ventures secures £15m commitment from BBI
08 July 2021
Venture Capital: Why ‘fees on fees’ can be good for investors
Our objectives
Supply
Increasing the supply and choice of finance to small and medium-sized businesses across the UK
Diversity of funding
Helping to create a more diverse finance market
Regional access
Identifying and helping to address regional imbalances in access to finance
Returns
Managing taxpayers’ money efficiently, whilst generating a commercial rate of return
Our partners
