Fund Managers for the South East Investment Fund and the East of England Investment Fund

A Tender Notice
by BRITISH BUSINESS BANK

Source
Find a Tender
Type
Contract (Services)
Duration
10 year
Value
£52M
Sector
BUSINESS
Published
15 Dec 2025
Delivery
01 Jul 2026 to 30 Jun 2036
Deadline
02 Feb 2026 16:00

Related Terms

Location

South East England:

Geochart for 1 buyers and 0 suppliers

1 buyer

Description

The British Business Bank (the Bank) is a government-owned economic development bank that makes finance markets for smaller businesses work more effectively. Our mission is to drive economic growth by helping smaller businesses get the finance they need to start, scale and stay in the UK. In doing so, we help capture the economic value of innovation for the UK and create jobs and prosperity for people across the country. The Bank designs programmes that provide funds and guarantees to private sector partners, enabling them to finance a greater number of smaller businesses, either through debt or equity. It uses economic evidence so that its programmes address market failures affecting smaller businesses across the economy. It also works to improve smaller businesses’ awareness of the finance options available to them. Nations and Regions Investments Limited (NRIL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Business Bank that manages a number of investment schemes for the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), including the proposed South East Investment Fund (SEIF) and East of England Investment Fund (EEIF). NRIL is the Contracting Authority for this procurement. In the 2025 Spending Review, the Government announced an extension of the Nations and Regions Investment Funds (NRIF) programme to include £350m to be made available for the South East and the East of England regions. The funds are to be allocated according to the following split: - £210m for the South East Investment Fund (SEIF) - £140m for the East of England Investment Fund (EEIF) Within each region the funding will be split into two sub-funds: one for Equity (approximately 60% - offering early stage and later stage equity investments up to £5m); and one for Debt (approximately 40% - offering business loans of between £25,000 and £2m). A proportion of each fund will be held back (“Investor Reserve”) and may be added as additional funding (“Additional Allocation”) depending on circumstances and particular factors. Tenderers are expected to have some regional experience and a track record of funding viable Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that are looking to grow. Tenderers should be aligned to the Programme Objectives, that the funds will: - increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for UK smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to reduce disparities in access to finance; - be run in a commercially sustainable way to promote a shift away from an expectation of public sector grants towards a culture of borrowing and investing for growth; - drive sustainable economic growth through supporting new and growing businesses across the UK with an inclusive approach to all eligible sectors; - have a demonstrable presence across the relevant geographical area linking up the finance community to increase reach and create an impact beyond the funds, helping to boost productivity, innovation and jobs; - align with the Bank’s commitments to net zero by 2050 and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in the distribution of finance. It is expected that NRIL will begin making investment commitments to the SEIF and EEIF Fund Managers in Summer 2026. The duration of the Contract Services will be: - Investment Period: The first 5 years of the fund during which the Fund can make new investments. This period can be extended by up to two years at the sole discretion of NRIL. - Realisation: the period beginning immediately after the Investment Period and ending on the date which is 5 years after the end of the Investment Period (which will include the ability of the SEIF and EEIF Fund Managers to make follow-on investments in portfolio businesses). This period can be extended by up to two years at the sole discretion of NRIL.

Lot Division

1 South East Investment Fund - Equity
  • Value: £17M

Initial Allocation of Funds: £88m Equity investments up to £5m - this figure may be exceeded in exceptional circumstances and with Investor Consent In the South East of England Region only Geographical Targets (ITL2 and ITL3 areas) as set out in the procurement documentation and the Contract. The Lot Value is the estimated maximum value of Fund Manager fees that the Authority expects to pay under the agreement.

Award Criteria
Quality _
Social Value Quality Question 06
Price _
2 South East Investment Fund - Debt
  • Value: £13M

Initial Allocation of Funds: £59m Debt loans from £25k up to £2m - this figure may be exceeded in exceptional circumstances and with Investor Consent In the South East of England Region only Geographical Targets (ITL2 and ITL3 areas) as set out in the procurement documentation and the Contract. The Lot Value is the estimated maximum value of Fund Manager fees that the Authority expects to pay under the agreement.

Award Criteria
Quality _
Social Value Quality Question 05
Price _
3 East of England Investment Fund - Equity
  • Value: £12M

Initial Allocation of Funds: £63m Equity investments up to £5m - this figure may be exceeded in exceptional circumstances and with Investor Consent In the East of England Region only Geographical Targets (ITL2 and ITL3 areas) as set out in the procurement documentation and the Contract. The Lot Value is the estimated maximum value of Fund Manager fees that the Authority expects to pay under the agreement.

Award Criteria
Quality _
Social Value Quality Question 06
Price _
4 East of England Investment Fund - Debt
  • Value: £10M

Initial Allocation of Funds: £42m Debt loans from £25k up to £2m - this figure may be exceeded in exceptional circumstances and with Investor Consent In the East of England Region only Geographical Targets (ITL2 and ITL3 areas) as set out in the procurement documentation and the Contract. The Lot Value is the estimated maximum value of Fund Manager fees that the Authority expects to pay under the agreement.

Award Criteria
Quality _
Social Value Quality Question 06
Price _

Renewal Options

During the Investment Period (first 5 years) the Contract may be extended by up to two years at the sole discretion of the Contracting Authority. During the Realisation period (subsequent 5 years) the Contract may be extended by up to two years at the sole discretion of the Contracting Authority.

CPV Codes

  • 66000000 - Financial and insurance services
  • 66100000 - Banking and investment services
  • 66120000 - Investment banking services and related services
  • 66122000 - Corporate finance and venture capital services
  • 66190000 - Loan brokerage services

Indicators

  • Renewals are available.

Other Information

For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Sheffield:-Financial-and-insurance... To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/R4594N87CC ** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. **

Reference

  • ocds-h6vhtk-05f5ca
  • FTS 082931-2025

Domains