Business loans to start, grow and strengthen your business
Funding from £500 to £250,000, backed by people who take the time to understand your business ambitions, not just your credit score.
Backing ambition at scale in 2025/26
Backed ambitious businesses
Added to the regional economy
Jobs created or protected
New UK founders backed
Trusted by businesses across the North
For more than four decades, we've helped founders and business owners access the funding they need to start, grow and move forward.
As a not-for-profit lender authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, we're committed to delivering fair, relationship led finance that creates lasting impact.
The impact of backing ambition
"Every loan we provide helps ambitious businesses take the next step while creating jobs, opportunity and long term economic value in the communities they serve."
-Doug Heseltine, Director of Investments
A different approach to business funding
People first
Real people. Real conversations. Real support throughout your funding journey.
The bigger picture
We consider your plans, potential and wider circumstances, not just a credit score.
Fair finance
Straightforward funding with transparent terms and a relationship led approach.
Community impact
Every repayment helps us support more businesses, creating a positive impact that reaches far beyond the individual loan.
Insights from funding thousands of businesses
Every year our lending team supports founders, growing businesses and established companies looking to move forward. While every business is different, the strongest applications usually share a common theme:
- a clear plan
- a defined purpose for the funding
- confidence in the next step they're trying to take
Whether you're launching a new venture, investing for growth, creating breathing space with working capital or refinancing expensive short-term debt, understanding your goals is the starting point for every funding conversation.
Business loans and funding for every stage
Turn your business idea into reality with funding and support designed to help new businesses get off to a confident start.
Create breathing space, manage day to day costs and keep your business moving forward with confidence.
Invest in people, equipment, premises, technology or marketing to take your business to the next level.
Replace expensive short-term borrowing with a more sustainable funding solution that supports long-term growth.
Your funding journey with BEF
Answer a few quick questions and we'll recommend the most suitable funding options for your business.
Tell us about your business, your plans and how funding could help you achieve them.
A dedicated Loan Manager will guide you through the process and help you understand what happens next.
If approved, you'll receive the funding you need to invest in your business with confidence.
Funding decisions made by people who understand business
| BEF | Many lenders | |
|---|---|---|
| Decisions |
Decisions
Human judgement
|
Decisions
Automated assessment
|
| Approach |
Approach
Understands your plans
|
Approach
Focused on criteria
|
| Support |
Support
Dedicated Loan Manager
|
Support
Self-service journey
|
| Relationship |
Relationship
Ongoing support
|
Relationship
Transaction focused
|
| Purpose |
Purpose
Business growth
|
Purpose
Commercial returns
|
| Impact |
Impact
Community focused
|
Impact
Commercially focused
|
Client Spotlight Claro Hill Vets
See how Claro Hill Vets used BEF funding to support growth and move their business forward.
Things founders and business owners ask us
We're not a bank or a short term lender. We're a not-for-profit lender focused on helping businesses start, grow and move forward with confidence.
Better outcomes through partnership
We work with trusted partners across the business support community to help more businesses access the funding and support they need to succeed.