NPIF Maven Equity Finance offers an attractive alternative to bank funding or other forms of traditional finance, making minority equity stake investments of up to £2 million. Whilst the Fund is primarily focused on the North West of England, covering Cheshire & Warrington, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, Lancashire and Cumbria, investment may also be in the wider NPIF regions of Yorkshire & Humber and the Tees Valley.
Across the NPIF territory many viable, dynamic SMEs with innovative products and services, strong business plans and highly capable management teams, are struggling to access the funding that will allow them to truly fulfil their potential. NPIF is focused on supporting the growth aspirations of companies that can contribute to regional economic development, job creation and innovation. Its objective is to produce greater levels of investment in smaller businesses, and increased flexibility in the type of funding available.
* Please note that the finance available is not able to be used to fund acquisitions.
Whether it is because a business cannot get some or all of the funding it needs from a bank or needs a more flexible form of finance, or simply that it needs access to both finance and expertise, NPIF Maven Equity Finance may suit the aspirations of high-growth businesses. Funding can be used in a variety of scenarios, and Maven's Northern investment team has experienced investment and portfolio professionals, with many years’ experience in SME investment and supporting the growth of private companies.
Our aim is to help management teams fulfil their companies' growth potential, whilst ensuring that the process for working with Maven is as effective and straightforward as possible.
In order to be eligible for NPIF investment a business:
NPIF Maven Equity Finance is available for both start-ups and established businesses and is not targeting any specific sectors. However, there are certain restrictions which prohibit funding in sectors including pure real estate development activity, gambling related services & equipment and a variety of other specific exclusions, and the Maven team can advise on these restrictions.
In order to fully appraise a funding application Maven would need to receive a detailed investment proposal covering the key points about your business and growth plans, including:
Download our business Plan Checklist
The strength and experience of the management team ultimately drives business success, and so is a key factor in assessing eligibility for NPIF funding. We therefore aim to meet management as early as possible in the process so that we can start to build an understanding of the business, its product and markets, and the key people.
We will also undertake both internal and external due diligence on a proposed investment and, assuming that we have access to all of the necessary information, aim to deliver a tailored funding package that suits the growth requirements of your business.