Loans to start, grow or steady your business

Borrow up to £250,000 with a partner that backs your ambition. Find your best fit loan in less than a minute. No impact on your credit score.

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Befund
Befund

A partner you can trust to back your business

When it comes to funding your business, clarity and confidence matter.

We take the time to understand what you are building and where you want to go. Every decision is made by experienced people who look beyond the numbers, giving you fair consideration and clear, straightforward terms.

From your first enquiry through to repayment, you have a team behind you that is focused on helping you move forward.

Finance that fits where your business is going

Befund

Starting a business

Turn your idea into something real

Funding and support to help you launch and build strong foundations from day one.

Start your journey
Befund

Working capital

Keep your business moving

Flexible funding to manage cash flow, cover day to day costs and stay in control as you grow.

Strengthen your cashflow
Befund

Growth and expansion

Take your business further

Invest in new opportunities, hire your team and scale with confidence.

Fund your growth
Befund

Refinance

Create breathing space and move forward

Replace expensive short term debt with a more manageable solution that supports your long term plans.

Improve your position
Befund

Unsure?

Not sure which option fits best

Find your best fit loan in less than a minute or talk to our team for guidance.

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    Why choose a loan from BEF?

    Trusted across the region

    Thousands of thriving businesses got started or grew with a BEF loan.

    Local business expertise

    Get guidance, support, and mentoring from people who understand how the North works.

    Fair, flexible finance

    Funding with five-year terms, no setup fees or hidden charges, and no guarantor needed.

    Impact-driven lending

    We're a not-for-profit lender. Your repayments become more loans for other businesses.

    Trusted by businesses at every stage

    Thousands of businesses have moved forward with our support. Here is what that looks like in practice.

      5 out of 5 stars

      "Rowan was nothing short of phenomenal throughout this whole experience. With the expansion of my gym to a larger premises, I knew we would need funding to create the space I wanted. From the very beginning, Rowan did everything she could to support. It is a long-winded process at the beginning, but anything I was unsure of or did wrong, Rowan corrected and kept me on track. We successfully received the full 20k we applied for, and it has transformed the business and helped us grow amazingly! couldn't recommend more!"

      Review by Josh Hall
      Josh Hall
      Google
      5 out of 5 stars

      "I had an excellent experience working with Habib to secure my business loan. He was knowledgeable, responsive, and genuinely invested in helping me succeed. He guided me through every step of the process, made everything clear and stress-free, and worked hard to find the best possible option for my needs. I truly appreciate the professionalism and dedication, and I highly recommend their services to anyone looking for business funding support."

      Review by Shane Farenando
      Shane Farenando
      Google
      5 out of 5 stars

      "Dear Mr. Karimi, I would like to sincerely thank you for all the support and help you have given us. Your guidance has been extremely valuable, and whenever I faced any issues, you were always quick to respond to my emails and phone calls. I truly appreciate everything you have done for us and your continuous support throughout the process. Kind regards, Khosrow"

      Review by Khosrow Kargar
      Khosrow Kargar
      Google
      5 out of 5 stars

      "I had an excellent experience with Habib, throughout the loan application process. The support I received was professional, clear, and extremely helpful at every stage. I would highly recommend the service to anyone seeking guidance and assistance with securing business funding."

      Review by victor irimiya
      victor irimiya
      Google
      5 out of 5 stars

      "Sent over my plans to Sanni who gave me a call back to go through my business plan and cash flow, Sanni was very helpful and gave me great confidence that my business plan and cash were were at the right stage to move forward to the next step. Sanni did a great job, I would defiantly recommend her help on any ones application. A massive Thank You Sanni"

      Review by Simon Smith
      Simon Smith
      Google
      5 out of 5 stars

      "I applied for a Government Start Up Loan Habib Karimi at the Business Enterprise Fund (BEF) supported me to submit my application. Explaining everything simply and making the process run efficiently. He was professional and supportive. Fantastic experience and I received the funds quickly. He ensured he checked all the details and that I was lending an amount my business could afford. Highly recommend Thanks Laura from Organise Your Life With Laura"

      Review by Laura Royston
      Laura Royston
      Google
      5 out of 5 stars

      "Julie Micklethwaite at the Business Enterprise Fund (BEF) has been absolutely fantastic to work with. She has now successfully secured two invaluable start-up loans for my business, and the difference this extra cash flow has made to our development is huge. Julie was efficient, professional, and guided me smoothly through the whole process, making everything straightforward and stress-free. We’re really happy with the service she provided through BEF and very grateful for her support – highly recommended!"

      Review by Daniel Harvey
      Daniel Harvey
      Google

      Real impact for businesses and communities

      £ 21.8m

      Invested in businesses like yours

      £ 87.2m

      Added to the regional economy

      5,096

      Jobs created or protected

      500

      New UK businesses backed

      A fairer way to fund your business

      We take the time to understand your business, your plans and where you want to go. Every decision is made by experienced people, not automated scoring. That means clear terms, fair decisions and support that helps you move forward with confidence.

      Find your loan
      Is BEF a bank?
      What does that mean for you?
      How are lending decisions made?
      Could BEF fund my business?

      We work better together

      By partnering with trusted organisations, we reach more businesses and boost our impact where it matters most.

      Get in touch