Merseyside Special Investment Fund | We're with you all the way

Through its partners, MSIF has created and supports a wide range of programmes to assist small and medium sized businesses across the North West, predominately in the Liverpool City Region, and to develop a business ecosystem in which SME’s can flourish.

This includes supporting schemes which deliver business planning and funding advice and access to business angel networks, as well as providing a wide range of funding solutions, delivered by it fund manager partners.

Our Mission

To support the Liverpool City Region in the creation of an environment where SME’s can realise their true potential and be at the heart of the Region’s long-term growth.

MSIF's Vision

MSIF’s vision is to support the development of a business ecosystem that will create and support LCR SME’s to realise their true potential. MSIF will enable access to finance from its own or partner resources and fund initiatives that provide support and development to SME’s to enable them to drive the success of the LCR economy.

Angel finance & support
LCR Angel Network

Long-term
equity finance

Business planning &
funding advice LCR Finance Hub

MSIF Strategic Objectives

MSIF is a critical part of the business ecosystem supporting the success of the local economy – maximising opportunities for growth

To provide long term sustainable investment funds for growing SME’s

To be a catalyst for attracting investment into the LCR

To fund initiatives and businesses that support the growth and development of SMEs

To be a voice for LCR SMEs on matters related to growth

To be a strategic advisor to the LCRCA on the opportunities and challenges faced by growing SME’s

Our History

MSIF has been around for a long time supporting local entrepreneurs and plans to be around for a long time to come.

1995

MSIF formed to manage ERDF monies through the European Objective One Programme.

1996

Secures original ERDF funding of £16m and alongside co-investors launches £25m of Venture Capital and Loan funds, and makes its first investment.

1999

Follow on funding of £7m raised.

2002

Creates Alliance Fund Managers Limited, an FCA regulated subsidiary to manage its incumbent funds.

2002

Secures follow on Objective One monies of £36m and creates new Venture, Mezzanine and Debt offerings which with co-investment total over £80m.

2003

Secures further £20m Objective One monies to create the £27m Liverpool Seed Fund, managed by AFM.

2008

Fully invested the Objective One monies, supporting over 1,200 SME’s in the process, with private sector leverage of £240m alongside the £107m invested, and creating and preserving over 12,400 jobs.

2011

From the returns on previous MSIF managed funds, creates the Merseyside Loan and Equity Fund, managed by AFM.

2017

Creates the LCR Angel Network and Finance Hub.

2019

Celebrates 25 years supporting the Liverpool City Region SME economy with a Gala Dinner attended by over 450 local advisors, intermediaries, investees and business leaders.

2022

Injects over £3m to support the Coronavirus Recovery and Resilience Fund and regional SMEs impacted by the pandemic.

2022

Secures funding from the LCRCA to scale up the LCR Angel Network and Finance Hub.

Our Board Members

Our MSIF board members bring a vast range of expertise, skills and backgrounds which complement our vision and strategy. All Board members have strong leadership and economic regeneration experience through the attraction, support and growth of business, locally, nationally and internationally.

Neil Ashbridge

Director

Helen Pittaway

Director

Paul Cherpeau

Director

Our Partners

MSIF works closely with numerous organisations throughout the region to ensure that SME businesses have easy access to a full range of support services wherever they are based.