GC Business Finance

Looking for funding to accelerate your business growth in the North West?

NPIF II – GC Business Finance & River Capital Smaller Loans help ambitious SMEs access the funding and support they need to grow with confidence.

Why businesses choose us-
💡 We support businesses that may be unable to secure mainstream funding and are passionate about helping them achieve their growth ambitions.
💷 Loans from £25,000–£100,000
🔄 Flexible terms shaped around your business needs
🤝 A dedicated account manager
📞 Bespoke 1‑to‑1 support throughout the application process

Whether you’re seeking working capital, expanding into new premises, investing in assets, or scaling operations, our funding is built to empower your growth.

Who can apply-
➡️ SMEs based in the North West of England with clear start‑up, development, or growth plans.
➡️A business plan will be required as part of the application.

If you’re ready to take the next step or even just have a conversation, we’re here to help you move with confidence.

🔗https://businessfinance.growthco.uk/what-we-do/npif-2-smaller-loans/

Could your workplace do more to support colleagues affected by cancer?

Cancer touches every workplace. In fact, one in two people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and there were 17,000 diagnoses across Greater Manchester last year.

Despite this, more than half of employees in Greater Manchester (54%) are unaware of any cancer support available through their workplace.

That's why we're supporting the Get Cancer Clever Breakfast Briefing, delivered by The Growth Company and Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance. The event will bring together business leaders, HR professionals and wellbeing teams to discuss practical ways employers can raise awareness, recognise signs and symptoms, and better support employees affected by cancer.

📅 Tuesday 22 September 2026
🕒 8:30am - 10:30am
📍 People's History Museum, Manchester

Secure your free place today 👇
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/get-cancer-clever-breakfast-briefing-tickets-1994938989219

🎯 From idea to international growth.

When Greg Taylor spotted a gap in the market for grassroots darts leagues, he created Big Fish Darts, a platform helping pubs run interactive competitions while generating additional revenue.

With support from the Start Up Loans programme, delivered by GC Business Finance, Greg accelerated app development, invested in marketing, and has already signed up over 250 pubs across the UK. The platform is now being used internationally in South Africa, Mexico and Belgium.

Ready to start your business journey? Find out how a Start Up Loan could help. https://businessfinancestartup.co.uk/

Read Greg's story 👇
🔗https://businessfinancestartup.co.uk/news/start-up-loan-funding-helps-cumbria-entrepreneur-launch-darts-app-supporting-uk-pubs/

Could £100,000 of funding help transform a business?

For Manchester-based battery specialist Cellerate, it helped drive a 60% increase in turnover, support a move to a larger custom-built facility, and expand its reach into international markets across Asia, Europe and North America. ⚡

Since securing funding through the first Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF), Cellerate has:

✅ Increased turnover from £1m to £1.6m
✅ Expanded its customer base from 8 to 40 clients
✅ Invested in advanced battery manufacturing equipment
✅ Taken on larger and more complex contracts
✅ Continued developing next-generation energy storage technologies

Founded in 2020 by Dr Richard Fields, Cellerate is helping accelerate battery innovation globally while strengthening the North's advanced manufacturing sector.

👉 Read the full story: https://businessfinance.growthco.uk/news/posts/2026/august/cellerate-supercharges-turnover-by-60-following-100k-npif-funding/

Cellerate's growth story shows how the right funding can help ambitious businesses innovate, scale and reach new markets. Find out how NPIF II could support your business

📧 Get in touch: [email protected]

Driving growth through NPIF II Smaller Loans

Our NPIF II team continues to empower ambitious businesses across the North, helping them access the funding they need to scale and create jobs.

Impact at a glance:

🔹 33 NPIF II Smaller Loans delivered
💷 £1.8m injected into ambitious businesses
🌱 167 new jobs created

We’re proud to keep supporting business growth and driving regional prosperity through accessible finance.

📘 Read the full Impact Report – https://businessfinance.growthco.uk/what-we-do/impact-report/

Celebrating entrepreneurial impact across the UK

Our Start Up Loans team continued to empower entrepreneurs nationwide, helping thousands access the funding and support they need to launch and grow their businesses.

✨ Impact at a glance:
👉 11,483 entrepreneurs supported
👉 £143m injected into the startup economy
👉 39% of startups supported were female-founded

We’re proud to keep breaking down barriers to finance and driving inclusive entrepreneurship across the UK.

📘 Read the full Impact Report- https://businessfinance.growthco.uk/what-we-do/impact-report/

Driving impact for UK businesses

Our Impact Report shows how GC Business Finance continues to help SMEs grow and succeed:

💼 11,516 SMEs supported with finance
🌱 11,688 new jobs created
👩‍💼 39% of supported businesses were female-founded

We’re proud to champion inclusive growth and empower entrepreneurs across the UK.

See the full Impact Report- https://businessfinance.growthco.uk/what-we-do/impact-report/

Hackney Support Fund FY2025–2026

The Hackney Support Fund helps eligible hackney carriage (taxi) owners upgrade to cleaner, emissions‑compliant vehicles through grant funding.

Since launch, we’ve committed £1.58m, processed 193 applications, and supported 990 eligible vehicles, driving progress toward a more sustainable fleet across the region. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to improving air quality and supporting local businesses.

Explore more impact stories in our latest report: 👉 https://businessfinance.growthco.uk/what-we-do/impact-report/