Liverpool SME finance specialist River Capital says reaches £10m milestone with the North West Business Growth Loan Fund with funding deployed into 38 businesses since October 2022. Tony McDonough reports

River Capital says it has now invested £10m via the North West Business Growth Loan Fund since its launch in October 2022.

On behalf of its investors TDC and MSIF, River Capital has provided flexible loans of between £100,000 and £500,000 to 38 businesses in Liverpool city region and across the North West.

Loans are typically given 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.

As well as Liverpool city region the businesses supported also include those in Greater Manchester, and Lancashire and span energy, specialist recruitment, construction equipment, professional services, and hospitality.

Among the businesses backed by the fund was 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.

Another was Wirral-based fitness venture EmpoweredFit which opened a new gym facility in Liverpool city centre after securing a £250,000 finance package.

Jim Moore, Business Growth Loan investment manager at River Capital, said: “£10m 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.”

The portfolio also includes The Hospitality Collective, a group of independent hospitality businesses operating across the North West.

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.

John Gray, River Capital head of debt, added: “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 £10m 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.”