BGF commits £100m to fuel Welsh business growth as part of UK-wide investment drive
BGF commits £100m to fuel Welsh business growth as part of UK-wide investment drive
BGF, the UK’s most active growth capital investor, has announced a major £100 million commitment to support the growth of Welsh businesses over the next five years. The pledge is part of BGF’s wider £3 billion UK investment strategy aimed at accelerating scale-up opportunities for high-potential companies across the country.
The latest commitment more than doubles BGF’s previous investment in Wales, which totalled £47 million since the firm began operating in the country in 2011. The move is part of BGF’s “regional-first” strategy, designed to drive inclusive economic growth by supporting entrepreneurs and businesses beyond London and the South East.
The £3 billion UK-wide strategy also includes a dedicated £300 million fund for female-powered businesses, one of the largest initiatives of its kind. That fund builds on BGF’s earlier £25 million pledge to the Invest in Women Taskforce (IWT), which helped generate over £250 million in funding for women-led enterprises in 2023.
Hannah King, investor at BGF, said: “We’re proud of our track record in Wales and excited to increase our investment through this £100 million commitment. Welsh businesses have enormous potential, and we’re here to provide the capital and support to help them grow and scale sustainably.”
Impact to date and future plans
Since its inception in 2011, BGF’s portfolio companies have delivered significant economic contributions:
- £7.1 billion in revenue growth
- £1 billion in export growth
- More than 27,000 jobs created
With 74% of BGF’s total capital deployed outside London and the South East, the firm has positioned itself as a champion of regional business success. The £100 million commitment in Wales forms part of BGF’s goal to exceed the £2.3 billion it invested across the UK between 2020 and 2024, aiming to accelerate investment during the next growth phase.
The increased investment comes at a time when Welsh businesses are seeking to scale and attract growth funding, particularly in key sectors such as technology, manufacturing, life sciences, and clean energy.
BGF’s expansion underscores a growing focus on decentralising access to capital and ensuring that regional firms have the financial backing to thrive. The firm’s long-term, patient capital model provides minority, non-controlling equity investment, making it attractive to founders and business owners looking for strategic support without relinquishing control.
BGF operates from 15 offices across the UK and Ireland, including a regional presence in Wales, reinforcing its on-the-ground approach to identifying and nurturing local enterprise.
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