Business loans in the North East

Start, grow, and protect your local business with up to £250,000 of funding

Why trust BEF?

Hundreds of businesses in the North East are growing and thriving with confidence thanks to Business Enterprise Fund (BEF) loans.

Traditional lenders don’t see your vision, but we get it. BEF is a social enterprise that’s here for you, not shareholders.

Local, knowledgeable decision-makers put your interests first
Grow faster, protect your people’s jobs, boost resilience
You’re more than a credit score; we see your real potential

Finance for growth and security

Put your loan to work where it matters most:

✔ Keep cash flowing smoothly
✔ Build your team, create and secure jobs
✔ Launch new products or services
✔ Invest in stock, equipment, and tech
✔ Expand into bigger, better spaces
✔ Stay resilient when the unexpected happens

Find your loan in 1 minute.

Start Up Loan £500 to £25k

Start or grow your business

Repay over 1–5 years
6% fixed interest rate
No setup fee
No early repayment fee
12 months free mentoring
Get funds in 3-8 weeks

Explore Start Up Loans

Small Business Loan Up to £250k

For larger growth projects

Repay over 1–5 years
Competitive rates
4% setup fee
Low early repayment fee
Support that stays with you
Get funds in 2 weeks or less

Explore Small Business Loans

North East success stories

Businesses like yours count on BEF for finance that makes a big positive impact.

“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

“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

"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."