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Future Fund - government funding to match private investment

March 2021: The scheme enabled companies that secured private investment to attract up to £5m on a matched basis from the government’s Future Fund. The scheme closed for new applications on 31 January 2021.

Applications that have been correctly completed and submitted by 31 January 2021 continue to be processed. They will need to have been accepted and legally completed, with the relevant convertible loan agreement executed by all parties, including the Future Fund, by 23:59 GMT on 31 March 2021.

OFFICIAL GUIDANCE:

Future Fund on british-business-bank.co.uk

Apply for the coronavirus Future Fund on Gov.uk

Purpose and form of funding

To provide working capital to certain companies which are facing financing difficulties due to the coronavirus outbreak, to help them continue their growth journey.

The funding will be in the form of convertible loans from £125k to £5m, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors. 

How it works

The Future Fund is delivered by the British Business Bank.

Eligibility criteria apply to the company and its private investor(s).

Applications are made via the Future Fund portal on the British Business Bank’s website.

The application process is investor-led:

  • the investor applies in connection with a company
  • the company confirms the investment application details and submits a full application
  • on approval, parties execute an agreement and satisfy its conditions for funds to be released

The company and the investor may each engage a solicitor in connection with the application. The role of the solicitor is explained by the British Business Bank.

Standard scheme documentation is set out by the British Business Bank.

Headline terms

Loan size: from £125k to £5m providing matched by private investors

Term: 36 months, with early repayment only with the agreement of all investors

Interest rate: minimum 8% pa (non-compounding). Interest is not payable monthly but accrues until the loan converts. The accrued interest will wither be repaid or convert into equity

Conversion: the loan will convert into shares in the company in certain circumstances

Standardised terms: the agreement is predefined and cannot be negotiated

Use of proceeds: restrictions apply

Eligible investors

Each investor must fall within certain defined categories in the FCA’s handbook of rules and guidance, or in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005.

Eligible companies

A company that can participate will

  • be UK-incorporated and, if part of a corporate group, must be the parent company
  • have raised at least £250k in equity investment from third-party investors in the period 1 April 2015 to 19 April 2020, inclusive
  • have none of its shares are traded on a listing venue
  • have been incorporated on or before 31 December 2019

At least one of the following will be true about the company:

  • half or more employees are UK-based
  • half or more revenues are from UK sales

From June, eligibility criteria also include innovative companies that participate in accelerator programmes based outside the UK. 

Other business finance support

Additional information