Business support · 01
Business loansand finance
Loans, investment funds and finance schemes open to small businesses in Cheshire and the Liverpool City Region, from start-up loans to regional investment funds.
Most small businesses only ever ask their own bank. There is a lot more available: government-backed start-up loans, regional investment funds that exist specifically for the North West, community lenders who say yes when banks say no, and free tools for comparing your options.
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MSIFLocal
Liverpool City RegionMerseyside Special Investment Fund: a long-standing lender and investor focused on businesses in the Liverpool City Region.
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Start Up Loans
UK-wideGovernment-backed personal loans for business use, with free mentoring, for businesses trading for up to three years.
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British Business Bank
UK-wideThe government's economic development bank. Its finance hub explains every kind of business finance and the schemes it backs.
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Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund
North WestRegional loans and equity investment for small and medium businesses across the North of England, including Cheshire and Merseyside. (Search for the current website.)
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Responsible Finance
UK-wideThe membership body for community development finance lenders, with a finder for lenders who back businesses banks turn down.
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Business Finance Guide
UK-wideAn independent, plain-English guide to the types of finance and the questions lenders ask.
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The trade body for asset finance and leasing. Useful for checking a lender is a member before financing vehicles or equipment.
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Business Debtline
UK-wideFree, confidential debt advice for the self-employed and small businesses, before problems become a crisis.
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UK Export Finance
UK-wideGovernment support for exporters, including finance and insurance so you can win and fulfil overseas contracts.
Nothing listed for that area yet. Try “Everywhere”.
(02) Questions
Common questions.
Where should a new business start?+
A government-backed Start Up Loan is the usual first step for a new business in its first three years. It is a personal loan for business use, comes with free mentoring, and the application asks for a business plan and cashflow forecast.
What if my bank turns me down?+
Ask the bank about the Bank Referral Scheme, which passes your details to alternative finance platforms. Community development finance lenders also exist to lend to viable businesses that banks will not.
Is there finance just for the North West?+
Yes. The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund provides loans and equity to businesses across the North, and Merseyside has had a dedicated lender in MSIF for decades.
Want the paperwork to do itself?
Finding support is step one. We build the systems that keep your quotes, bookings, invoices and records in order, so you are ready when the funder or accountant asks.