About Us
Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF) has been a cornerstone of economic development in the Liverpool City Region since 1994. Initially established to manage European Regional Development Fund monies, we’ve evolved into a dynamic force driving SME growth and innovation.
Through our subsidiary, River Capital, and initiatives like Gateway Angels and the Liverpool City Region Finance Hub, we continue to innovate in financial support for local businesses.
At MSIF, we’re committed to fostering economic growth, supporting entrepreneurs, and driving innovation in the Liverpool City Region and beyond.
Our History
Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF) was established in 1994 to manage European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) monies through the European Objective One Programme. In its early years, MSIF secured significant funding and launched various investment initiatives, including £16m in ERDF funding and £25m in Venture Capital and Loan funds. The organisation continued to grow, leading to the creation of Alliance Fund Managers Limited in 2001 (later rebranded to River Capital in 2022) to manage its expanding portfolio of funds. MSIF fully invested its Objective One monies by 2008, supporting over 1,200 SMEs and preserving more than 12,400 jobs.
Throughout the following decade, MSIF continued to innovate and adapt to the changing economic landscape. It created new funds such as the Merseyside Loan and Equity Fund and established the LCR Angel Network (rebranded to Gateway Angels in 2024) and Liverpool City Region Finance Hub. In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, MSIF demonstrated its agility by injecting over £3m into a Coronavirus Recovery and Resilience Fund in 2022. The same year, it secured additional funding to scale up its Angel Network and Finance Hub, further solidifying its role as a crucial supporter of the region’s SME economy and economic development.