Funding fit for North East businesses
Explore business loans from BEF North East for starting a business, managing cash flow, investing for growth or refinancing existing borrowing. Find the option that may suit your business.
Your finance options
Access different types of finance that suit your business needs. Explore our main options below, or use the finance finder tool if you're not sure which option suits you.
Two loans: One mission
Finance dedicated to strengthening the North East's economy.
Use the finance finder tool to answer a few simple questions about your business and why you need funding. We'll help you explore your options.
For founders with big ideas
- For eligible founders
- For businesses trading for up to 5 years
- For start-up costs
- For working capital
- For equipment, stock and marketing
- Up to £25,000 per founder
For growth-focused SMEs
- For businesses at any stage
- For working capital
- For growth and investment
- For refinancing existing borrowing
- Up to £250,000
What do you want to achieve?
Whether you're starting a business, managing cash flow, investing for growth or refinancing existing borrowing, explore the finance options that could help you achieve your goals.
Start a business
Turn your idea into a trading business with finance that can help cover start-up costs, equipment, stock, marketing and other early investments.
Grow your business
Invest in the next stage of growth, whether that's hiring staff, expanding capacity, moving premises or reaching new customers.
Manage cash flow
Keep your business moving when money comes in later than it goes out. Finance can help support working capital and day-to-day operations.
Buy equipment
Spread the cost of vehicles, machinery, tools, technology and other assets that help your business work more efficiently and take on more opportunities.
Invest in your business
Fund projects that support long-term growth, from upgrading systems and facilities to launching new products or services.
Refinance existing borrowing
Replace existing borrowing with finance that may better support your business plans and help create a stronger foundation for growth.
Fund a new opportunity
Act on new contracts, customer demand or expansion opportunities with finance designed to help your business move forward.
Find your finance
Not every business needs the same type of finance. Find your finance helps you explore the options that may suit your business, needs and plans.
Why businesses choose BEF North East
Not for profit
We're a Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) supporting businesses and communities across the North East of England.
Built around businesses
Our finance options are designed to support founders and businesses at different stages of their journey.
More than one finance option
From government-backed Start Up Loans to finance for growth, investment, working capital and refinancing, we support a range of business finance needs.
A relationship-led approach
We take the time to understand your business, your plans and what you're looking to achieve.
Who we support
From start-ups to established businesses, find out who BEF North East supports and explore finance based on your business stage.
Explore who we helpWhere we lend
Find out where BEF North East provides finance across the North East of England and check whether we lend in your area.
Explore where we lendBusiness finance FAQs
Find answers to common questions about business loans, including how much you can borrow, what finance can be used for and which options may be available to your business.