BGF

BGF (Business Growth Fund) is an independent, evergreen growth equity investor founded in 2011 to address the SME funding gap in the UK and Ireland. Backed by Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest, and Standard Chartered, it operates from a £3bn balance sheet across 15 offices throughout the UK and Ireland. BGF invests as a minority, non-controlling equity partner across two tracks: a Growth Stage programme offering £3m–£30m initial investments to profitable SMEs (typically £1m+ profits, or £3m+ ARR for tech companies), with follow-on capital available; and an Early Stage programme targeting late seed to Series B for deep tech and life sciences startups. The firm is sector-agnostic at the growth stage, covering technology, healthcare, manufacturing, climate, food & drink, and more. Since inception it has deployed over £4.5bn across 600+ businesses and completed 280+ exits. BGF takes no controlling stake and imposes no fixed exit deadlines. Value-creation support includes a talent network for board appointments, in-house operating specialists, and a portfolio community platform. Founders can apply directly via the website.