British Business Investments

British Business Investments (BBI) operates as a commercial subsidiary of the British Business Bank, a state-owned economic development bank established by the UK government. Headquartered in Sheffield, UK, BBI's primary mandate is to foster a more diverse and effective finance market for smaller businesses across the United Kingdom. Unlike direct investment into SMEs, BBI achieves its objective by providing capital to a broad spectrum of finance providers, including challenger banks, alternative lenders, and other non-bank financial institutions. This strategic approach aims to increase the overall supply and accessibility of finance options available to UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The investment strategy of British Business Investments is centered on addressing market gaps and supporting the growth of innovative finance solutions. BBI typically makes investments in the form of loans and equity to these finance providers, enabling them to expand their lending capacity and reach a wider base of smaller businesses. Their focus is on commercial viability and market impact, ensuring that their capital commitments contribute to a sustainable and competitive finance ecosystem. By strengthening the financial intermediaries, BBI indirectly supports job creation, economic growth, and regional development throughout the UK.

Since its inception in 2014, British Business Investments has demonstrated significant commitment to its mission, deploying substantial capital into the UK's finance sector. The organization has committed over £3.3 billion to providers of finance to UK smaller businesses over its operational history, illustrating its substantial role in market development. In the financial year ending March 31, 2023, BBI further solidified its impact by committing £455 million to new and existing finance providers. Their typical first check sizes range from £10 million (approximately $12.7 million USD) to £200 million (approximately $254 million USD), reflecting their capacity to make significant strategic investments that can catalyze growth among their partner finance providers.