BGF, the UK’s most active growth capital investor, has pledged £400 million to North West businesses as part of its £3 billion commitment to support high-potential companies across the UK over the next five years.
This builds on the £596 million BGF has already invested in the North West since 2011. The pledge is part of a broader strategy to scale capital deployment and support growth companies across the region.
The nationwide strategy includes a £300 million commitment to female-powered businesses, one of the largest pledges of its kind in the UK, following an earlier £25 million to the Invest in Women Taskforce (IWT), which unlocked over £250 million in capital in 2023.
Since 2011, BGF portfolio companies have delivered £7.1 billion in revenue growth, £1 billion in export growth, and created more than 27,000 jobs. BGF’s regional-first strategy has resulted in 74% of its capital being invested outside London and the South East.
Pinesh Mehta, partner, North West, BGF (pictured), said: “The North West is home to some of the most exciting and ambitious companies in the UK. This £400 million commitment underlines our confidence in the region and our determination to support more businesses through every stage of growth.”
The £3 billion commitment represents a significant increase from the £2.3 billion BGF deployed across the UK between 2020 and 2024 and is designed to help scaleups and early-stage companies reach their full potential.
BGF is a minority equity investor providing patient capital and strategic guidance to early and growth-stage businesses. Its team in Manchester offers deep regional expertise and tailored support.
Initial investments range from £3 million to £30 million for growth-stage companies and £3 million to £10 million for early-stage ventures.
BGF backs earlier-stage businesses in the life sciences and deep tech sectors, and growth-stage businesses across all sectors, typically generating £1 million to £10 million profit.
BGF provides follow-on funding to support further growth, and tailored value creation support from investment to exit.
Previous BGF investments include a multi-million investment in Besseges, a Manchester-based fire protection and facilities management business to drive growth across the UK, a multi-million investment in Eleven Sports Media, a Blackpool-based sports marketing business, to drive international growth and a multi-million investment in Wigan-based Evolve Business Group, a specialist in end-to-end managed network and IT solutions, to implement UK and international expansion plans.
Debbie Wosskow OBE, co-chair, Invest in Women Taskforce said: “This is another historic moment. BGF’s 10% commitment to female-powered businesses is significant; at £300 million in total, it builds on our already groundbreaking progress with the Invest in Women Taskforce, and is one of the largest ever made in the UK.”
