DSL Business Finance Ltd

03/06/2026

Last week, DSL Business Finance was pleased to take part in Funding That Fits: A Night for Female Founders, Funders & Investors, hosted by Venture Café Edinburgh in partnership with Scottish EDGE and supported by Pathways Forward.

The event focused on helping female founders better understand the range of funding options available to them, recognising that equity investment can be powerful, but is not the only route. The evening brought together founders, funders and investors for practical conversations around finding the right finance at the right stage of a business journey.

Our Loan Officer, Lesley O’Neill, represented DSL as part of the reverse pitching session, sharing more about the funding support available through DSL, including the Investment Fund for Scotland and, for early-stage businesses, the Start Up Loans programme.

A huge thank you to Venture Café Edinburgh, Scottish EDGE and Pathways Forward for creating such a valuable space for open discussion, connection and practical support for women-led businesses.

At DSL, we are committed to helping entrepreneurs across Scotland access finance that fits their needs and supports sustainable growth.

13/05/2026

Starting a business?
We offer flexible loans and expert support to help you get off the ground-backed by experience and a personal approach.

29/04/2026

Here at DSL, we love a 5-star review and we have loads! If you are a new or established business, looking for loan funding from £500 to £100k, then get in touch and we can talk you though the variety of loan products that we offer. And while you are here, please follow our page!

05/03/2026

We’re Hiring – Loan Officer

DSL Business Finance is looking for a Full-Time Loan Officer to join our team.

This role will help deliver the Investment Fund for Scotland, supporting start-ups and growing businesses across Scotland to access the finance they need to succeed.

You will work with clients throughout the entire lending journey – from enquiry and application through to loan assessment and approval – while also building relationships with partner organisations.

Hybrid role – flexible across Scotland
Applications close: Monday, 23 March 2026 at 9:00am

Interested?

Download the application pack here: https://dsl-businessfinance.co.uk/work-with-us/

Or email [email protected]

Please feel free to share this opportunity with anyone who might be interested.

20/08/2025

Oban is often referred to as "the gateway to the islands", and in this area there is high demand from travellers for premium glamping experiences which make use of the stunning vistas and tranquillity that this part of Scotland offers.

Seeing a gap in the market, entrepreneur Katherine Mackenzie set out to create exactly that – comfortable, high-end glamping pods that allow travellers a base to explore Oban and the surrounding areas.

Katherine turned to DSL Business Finance to secure funding Lerags Farm Luxury Glamping Ltd via the Investment Fund for Scotland (IFS). We helped her secure a total funding package of £70,000, which enabled her to purchase and install two luxury glamping pods, prepare the site, and furnish the pods just in time for the 2025 holiday season.

Learn more about how the IFS helped Katherine bring her idea to fruition in our new case study: https://dsl-businessfinance.co.uk/case_study/lerags-farm-luxury-glamping-ltd/

13/08/2025

Sometimes the perfect business opportunity comes along when you least expect it. For Catriona Blue, that moment arrived when she learned Glasgow's cherished pet shop Pets Cetera was available for acquisition.

This wasn't just any retail space. After nearly three decades serving the West End community, Pets Cetera had built something special: genuine customer loyalty and a reputation for quality that money can't buy. Catriona recognised she could preserve this legacy while adding her own vision.

Her £50,000 Investment Fund for Scotland loan through DSL Business Finance covered everything needed for a smooth transition: acquisition costs, legal expenses, and essential working capital. This enabled her to secure a seamless handover that protected jobs and maintained customer relationships.

Under its new identity as The Good Pet Collective, the business is evolving. Catriona's plans include community dog walks, educational nutrition sessions, and innovative services like subscription treat boxes and an in-store washing facility.

The Investment Fund for Scotland provides loans from £25,000 to £100,000 for Scottish businesses ready to grow. Could your venture be next?

Discover more about Catriona's journey: https://dsl-businessfinance.co.uk/case_study/the-good-pet-collective-ltd/

31/07/2025

We're hiring!

We're on the look out for a part-time loan officer to support with the delivery of the Investment Fund for Scotland. Could you be the candidate we're looking for?

We're seeking a professional with strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

If you're passionate about supporting businesses and contributing to Scotland's economic development, check our vacancy in the link below, and apply by 18th August.

https://dsl-businessfinance.co.uk/dsl-business-finance-is-hiring-2/

29/07/2025

Proud to be part of something that's making a real difference to Scottish business!

The Investment Fund for Scotland hitting £25m in just 18 months shows what's possible when you bring together the right partners: the British Business Bank's national expertise, local fund managers who understand Scottish markets, and most importantly, ambitious entrepreneurs with great ideas.

At DSL, we've seen firsthand how the smaller loans element (£25k-£100k) fills a crucial gap in the market. Whilst these aren't the headline-grabbing million-pound deals, they are transformative for the businesses involved – as demonstrated in our recent work with The Good Pet Collective Ltd, where a £50,000 loan helped a new mum turn her entrepreneurial vision into reality.

Working alongside Maven Capital Partners and The FSE Group, we're demonstrating that Scotland has the financial infrastructure to support businesses at every stage of their journey. From our smaller loans through to Maven's £5m equity investments, Scottish businesses now have access to a complete funding ecosystem.

The additional £26m in private sector investment that's followed shows that when public funding is deployed strategically, it crowds in rather than crowds out private capital.

An additional £26m in private sector funding has been raised since autumn 2023

22/07/2025

DSL Business Finance is recruiting a part-time loan officer to support with the delivery of the Investment Fund for Scotland. Could you be the candidate we're looking for?

We're seeking a professional with strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

If you're passionate about supporting businesses and contributing to Scotland's economic development, check our vacancy in the link below, and apply by 18th August.

https://dsl-businessfinance.co.uk/dsl-business-finance-is-hiring-2/

16/07/2025

When Catriona Blue discovered that beloved Glasgow pet shop Pets Cetera was for sale, she knew she had to act. With nearly 30 years of trading history and a loyal customer base, this West End institution needed someone who understood both retail and animal care.

Through the Investment Fund for Scotland, DSL Business Finance provided a £50,000 loan that made Catriona's dream possible. The funding covered the business acquisition, legal costs, and working capital for the transition period.

Now operating as The Good Pet Collective, Catriona plans monthly dog walks, pet nutrition events, and future services like an in-store dog wash station. Her vision combines preserving a community favourite with exciting new offerings.

The Investment Fund for Scotland supports growing Scottish businesses with loans from £25,000 to £100,000, helping entrepreneurs like Catriona build thriving enterprises.

Read the case study here, and find out how IFS could help you thrive: https://dsl-businessfinance.co.uk/case_study/the-good-pet-collective-ltd/