Read our 2024 impact report

Flexible business loans up to £250k

I have been trading for

Under 3 years Over 3 years

and would like to borrow

Upto 25k 25k to 250k

Find the best loan

Amity Brew

SeaGrown

Access finance to start or grow your business.

Business finance built for you

Too many brilliant businesses across the North are held back by rigid finance and unrealistic expectations by banks and other lenders. We exist to change that.

As a not-for-profit lender, we offer flexible business loans that focus on your potential, not just your past performance.

No hidden fees. No algorithms. Just human decisions, tailored funding, and clear support to help you move forward with confidence.

We've helped 1000's of businesses like yours

Unlike banks, we take a higher risk to back businesses with potential to succeed. That means we make it easier for businesses like yours to access essential funding to start, grow and strengthen communities.

We are a local lender interested in people, not profits

We don't exclude people

We don't exclude sectors

We make decisions with people, not algorithms

What can you borrow the money for?

Our impact in the last 12 months

£ 21.5m

Of client investment

£ 86m

Added to the region's economy

599

New UK businesses created

4,470

UK jobs created or safeguarded

Start or grow with the right loan for you

Whether you’re launching a new venture or scaling an existing one, we offer a range of finance products tailored to meet your needs.

Our solutions are designed to boost cash flow, purchase stock, invest in new equipment, expand your team, manage unexpected expenses and more.

Start Up Loan £500 to £25k

Start or grow your business

Average loan size is £11.5k
Repay over 1 – 5 years
A 6% fixed interest rate
No setup fee
No early repayment fee
12 months free mentoring
Get funds in 3-8 weeks

Learn more

Small Business Loan Up to £250k

Grow your business

Average loan size is £75k
Repay over 1 – 5 years
13% + base interest rate
4% setup fee
Low early repayment fee
Support that stays with you
Get funds in 2 weeks or less

Learn more

Which loan is right for you?

Not sure which loan fits your needs? Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right funding.

Start Up Loan

Small Business Loan

What can I use a loan for?

Client testimonials

We’ve helped thousands of businesses. Here’s what they have to say.

“As a first-time entrepreneur, starting my own business was intimidating, but the BEF team helped with the whole process, giving me the confidence to push forward. It is great what I have been able to achieve so far and I look forward to continuing this growth trajectory.”

David Jameson

Danelaw Coffee

“This investment from BEF is a game changer for us. It will allow us to reach even more mums across the UK, expand our team, and enhance the support we offer. We’re incredibly excited about the future and grateful for the opportunity to make an even bigger impact in the lives of mothers.”

Kayleigh Laverick

Mamma Social Co

"The £70k loan from BEF and Ceniarth has allowed for product manufacturing and marketing activities; without this money and the support from my investment manager Antony, this wasn’t going to be possible."

Chris Withers

Mi-BoxLive

“The Start Up Loan from BEF was a game-changer for me, allowing me to transform my vision of owning my own salon into reality and create a space that not only stands out aesthetically, but also embodies the values of community and inclusivity.”

Sara Razzaq

Nova Salon

"Our partnership with BEF has been instrumental in realising our growth aspirations. This NPIF loan has empowered us to better serve our community and expand our horizons."

Tomas Oppedal

The Eye Store

“They clearly understood our vision and the entire process was straightforward, taking the stress out of launching a brand new business.”

Jeff Ben Mayor

The Spine Guy

"Working with NPIF II and BEF helped us access the finance we needed quickly to support our fast growth, and we are now looking to launch the app by the end of September."

Caine Wild

Wild Intervention

"This support [a Start-Up Loan from BEF] is not just financial; it's a vote of confidence in our mission, and we are excited to see how it propels us forward."