
Merseyside Special Investment Fund
Description
MSIF, or Merseyside Special Investment Fund, is a long-standing and pivotal venture capital and finance provider based in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Established in 1994, its primary mission is to foster economic growth and job creation within the Merseyside region by providing crucial funding to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). MSIF operates as a critical component of the local business ecosystem, offering a range of financial solutions tailored to the diverse needs of growing companies.
As a venture capital firm, MSIF focuses on equity investments, typically deploying capital into businesses with strong growth potential. Their equity investment cheques generally range from approximately $63,500 (£50,000) up to $2,540,000 (£2 million), catering to various stages of business development, from early-stage ventures to more established companies seeking expansion capital. Beyond equity, MSIF also provides debt finance, including business loans and property loans, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to supporting local businesses. This flexibility allows them to address a broader spectrum of funding requirements within the region.
MSIF has demonstrated a significant and sustained impact on the Merseyside economy over its nearly three decades of operation. Since its inception, the fund has invested over £180 million into more than 2,000 businesses across the region. These investments have been instrumental in creating or safeguarding over 16,000 jobs, underscoring MSIF's commitment to local economic development. The firm manages several funds, including those under the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF) initiative, further solidifying its role in regional and national investment strategies aimed at boosting economic prosperity outside of London.
Investor Profile
Merseyside Special Investment Fund has backed more than 27 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 11 rounds, about 41% of its total and boasts 2 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series Unknown, Seed, Series A rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United Kingdom, Malaysia.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Information Technology, Biotechnology.
- Typical check size: $63.5K – $2.5M.
Stage Focus
- Series Unknown (44%)
- Seed (22%)
- Series A (19%)
- Debt Financing (15%)
Country Focus
- United Kingdom (96%)
- Malaysia (4%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Information Technology
- Biotechnology
- Enterprise Software
- Health Diagnostics
- Edtech
- Education
- Recruiting
- Hardware
- Logistics
Frequently Asked Questions
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