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.

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Dmitry Zvolskiy
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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.

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What we do

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Debt Finance

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Angel finance & support
LCR Angel Network

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Long-term
equity finance

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Business planning &
funding advice LCR Finance Hub

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Early Stage Finance

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MSIF Strategic Objectives


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

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

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To be a catalyst for attracting investment into the LCR

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

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

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

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Our History

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

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1995


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

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1996


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

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1999


Follow on funding of £7m raised.

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2002


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

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2002


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

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2003


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

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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.

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2011


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

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2017


Creates the LCR Angel Network and Finance Hub.

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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.

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2022


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

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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

Neil Ashbridge

Director

Helen Pittaway

Helen Pittaway

Director

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Paul Cherpeau

Paul Cherpeau

Director

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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.

LCR Combined Authority Growth Platform Liverpool and Sefton Chamber of Commerce Halton Chamber of Commerce St Helens Chamber of Commerce Wirral Chamber of Commerce Knowsley Chamber of Commerce Sefton Council Knowsley Council Liverpool City Council St Helens Council Wirral Council Halton Council Lyva Labs University of Liverpool John Moores University Liverpool Hope University Mersey Maritime UK Business Angels Association The Women's Organisation Professional Liverpool

Get in Touch

Investment readiness, business planning, and access to finance support

For access to our investment readiness, business planning, and access to finance support visit Finance Hub site.


Equity and Debt Investment

For access to our equity and debt investment products please see www.rivercapitaluk.com.


LCR Angel Network

For access to the LCR Angel Network, please see our LinkedIn page.


MSIF and partner programme

For access to MSIF and its partner programme, please email info@msif.co.uk.