Mercia Surpasses £5m in NPIF II Debt Funding
Funding | Dec 05, 2024 | Mercia Fund Management (Mercia Ventures)

Mercia Fund Management, operating as Mercia Ventures, has achieved a significant milestone by dispensing over £5 million in debt finance through the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II). Since the fund's inception earlier this year, Mercia has provided £5.5 million in business loans to 17 companies spanning diverse sectors, primarily based in the Yorkshire and Humber region. This regionally-focused initiative offers loans ranging from £100,000 to £2 million, catering to companies in need of financial support that might otherwise struggle to secure it. The fund is a continuation of the successful NPIF I, where Mercia administered over £77 million to about 300 companies. The new iteration not only expands this support with larger loan limits but also enhances flexibility across various business sectors, encouraging a wider range of entrepreneurial involvement. As businesses in the North access these crucial funds, Mercia's efforts signify a substantial economic boost for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by directly contributing to their growth and sustainability. The fund continues to attract interest, with a diverse spectrum of businesses seeking opportunities for expansion, emphasizing the role of debt funding in regional economic development. This initiative aligns with the Northern Powerhouse's overarching goal to stimulate economic innovation and opportunity across the North of England.
Sectors
- Financial Services
- Venture Capital and Private Equity
Geography
- United Kingdom – The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II primarily supports businesses across the North of England, with significant activity in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Industry
- Financial Services – The article discusses the provision of debt finance to SMEs by Mercia Ventures as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II.
- Venture Capital and Private Equity – Mercia Ventures, a private equity firm, is actively providing debt finance to support business growth, specifically in the context of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.
Financials
- £5.5 million – Total amount in debt loans provided by Mercia under NPIF II to 17 companies.
- £77 million – Amount provided by Mercia under the first Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF I).
- £660 million – Total capacity of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, including loans and equity investments.
Participants
Name | Role | Type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Mercia Fund Management (Mercia Ventures) | Debt Financier | Company | A private equity firm managing part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund supporting SMEs in the North of England. |
Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) | Funding Source | Fund | A fund aimed at driving economic growth in Northern England by providing early-stage financing to SMEs. |
Change Accountants | Loan Recipient | Company | An accounting firm based in York that received financing. |
Thornton Park Farm | Loan Recipient | Company | A farm near Sowerby Bridge setting up a glamping site that received financing. |
Talk Straight | Loan Recipient | Company | An Ilkley-based company providing broadband and cloud services that received financing. |
Xentra | Loan Recipient | Company | A cybersecurity firm based in Leeds that received financing. |
Lab Systems Furniture | Loan Recipient | Company | A Hull-based company that received financing. |
Inteb | Loan Recipient | Company | An energy and environmental consultancy firm based in Birkenhead that received financing. |
British Business Bank | Collaborative Partner | Government | A government-owned business development bank involved in delivering the NPIF. |