MSIF investments total £3m over 18 months

FUNDING provider MSIF has invested almost £3m in Merseyside businesses over the last 18 months, with a further £600,000 out on offer.
 
MSIF launched the Merseyside Loan & Equity Fund last year and also manages the Small Loans for Business Fund.
 
Finance including loan, mezzanine and equity funding has been provided to companies across sectors including biomedical, manufacturing, logistics, creative and digital, engineering and professional.
 
Lisa Greenhalgh, chief operating officer, said:  “Despite a tough market we’ve seen some great businesses and are pleased with the quality we’ve invested in. Our role now is as vital as ever with financial support still lacking from traditional sources. Our funds will support start ups, growth capital, MBOs/MBIs and acquisitions.

She added that the finance offered by the fund is offer now is less regulated.

“This is because we have some funds which have been invested and repaid twice, and are then less subject to European regulation,” she said.
 
“The fact that we have now had money returned to us for the second time is a great achievement and shows that we have created a self-sustainable model.”
 
The Merseyside Loan and Equity Fund aims to invest £25m over the next five years into established SMEs.  Individual investments range in size from £50k to £2m in the form of loan, mezzanine and equity finance.
 
The Merseyside Small Loans for Business Fund is managed on behalf of The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) This fund provides loans from £3k to £50k including to start ups. 

Greenhalgh encouraged more businesses from across Merseyside to apply for funding.

“We are open to all opportunities that fit the criteria and have a good business plan in place. Most sectors can apply and there is a specific pot of money to provide micro loans of between £3,000 and £50,000 to businesses creating or using innovations and technology.”