The Business Northumberland Investment Fund (BNIF) is a £20 million fund designed to provide flexible finance to businesses at key stages of growth.
It has been developed to address gaps in the market, particularly for:
• Growing and scaling businesses
• Investment up to £2m
• Sectors that struggle to access traditional funding
Flexible funding options
The fund offers a range of finance options tailored to your business needs, including:
• Equity investment
• Mezzanine finance
• Business loans
• Hybrid investments
This flexible approach helps businesses access the right type of funding to expand, innovate and succeed.
How it works
• Managed by an independent, FCA-regulated fund manager
• Decisions made on a commercial basis
• Supported by strong governance and oversight
• Aligned with Northumberland’s Economic Strategy
This ensures businesses benefit from a professional, credible and accessible funding offer.
Northumberland County Council has now launched the procurement process to appoint an experienced, FCA-authorised Fund Manager who will bring investment expertise to establish and manage the BNIF and play a vital role in supporting ambitious businesses across Northumberland.
The tender opportunity and supporting documentation for the can be accessed via the OPEN Tender Portal using the link below.
https://www.open-uk.org/
The project reference number and title for assistance is NCC1819 Business Northumberland Investment Fund (BNIF) Fund Manager Procurement
Unlocking further investment
The BNIF is designed to go further than direct investment alone. The fund aims to:
• Attracts additional private and institutional investment
• Builds confidence in Northumberland’s business environment
• Strengthens the long-term funding ecosystem
As investments are repaid, funding is reinvested, creating a sustainable, long-term source of finance for local businesses.
