SWIG Finance

14/10/2026

Circular11 has gone from strength to strength in a remarkably short space of time, receiving an initial Start Up Loan in 2024, a further £250,000 growth loan just one year later, and subsequently securing a multi-million-pound investment.

Built around solving critical environmental challenges, Circular11 is helping to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up being burned or sent to landfill.

In just a few years, founders Ben and Connor have gone from prototyping an innovative recycling process to operating a full-scale factory and securing multi-million-pound investment deals.

We are delighted to have played a small part in their journey and are excited to see what the future holds for the business.

Read the full story here: https://www.swigfinance.co.uk/recycling-innovators-expand-with-help-from-swig/

08/10/2026

Are you running your own business, or are a leader in the Mental Health & Wellbeing sector? Bristol's NatWest Accelerator has created a catalyst event for their Mental Health & Wellbeing Network - a new, purpose-driven community designed exclusively for those at the forefront of mental health and wellbeing in England.

Join the event and be part of a community of professionals who are changing the way the UK thinks, talks, and acts around wellbeing.

📍 Natwest Accelerator Hub, Bristol
🗓️ Tuesday, October 20th
⌚ 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Find out more about the event and register your interest here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/catalyst-event-the-mental-health-wellbeing-network-bristol-tickets-1998414218724

The community for professionals who are changing the way the UK thinks, talks, and acts around wellbeing.

07/10/2026

A coffee shop in Cheltenham has received an £87k loan package via SWIG Finance to launch the business.

Julia Bogusz and her sister Kinga received Start Up Loans of £25,000 each and a joint loan of £37,000 from the South West Investment Fund (SWIF) to finance every aspect of The Coffee Cauldron in historic Montpellier, from surveys and stock right down to the crockery and cutlery.

Julia commented: "Being able to access both a Start Up Loan and additional funding through the South West Investment Fund made a real difference. It meant we could secure the level of finance needed to deliver our plans without having to look elsewhere.”

Read the case study here:
https://www.swigfinance.co.uk/cheltenham-coffee-shops-launches-with-swigs-support/

British Business Bank

A Cheltenham coffee shop is brewing up a storm with the help of £87,000 in loan funding delivered by SWIG Finance.

06/10/2026

If you’re ready to start or grow your new or early-stage business, Start Up Loans are designed to provide the finance and support you need to get moving.

In this article, we share how to apply for a Start Up Loan in 6 easy steps: https://www.swigfinance.co.uk/how-to-apply-for-a-start-up-loan-in-6-easy-steps/

In this article, we explore the Start Up Loans application process and share how to apply in 6 easy steps.

30/09/2026

Specialist education provider, Co Adventurers, is helping children at risk of exclusion after securing £126,000 of funding from SWIG Finance.

Two loans delivered over a two-year period have enabled the organisation to recruit and train specialist staff.

Founder, David Slater, commented: "The funding from SWIG came at exactly the right time. Everything we do depends on having the right people around each child, so being able to recruit and train a specialist team has been transformational. It has helped us grow our provision and support more young people who need a different approach to education. I can't thank Craig and the SWIG team enough for their fast and friendly application service."

Co Adventurers was referred to SWIG Finance by broker Anthony Booker of ASC Business Finance.

The initial £84k loan was delivered in 2024 via the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund, and a further £42k loan was delivered in 2026 via the Community Investment Enterprise Fund.

Read the case study here: https://www.swigfinance.co.uk/126k-boost-for-specialist-education-provider/

Devon-based specialist education provider, Co Adventurers, has expanded its team after securing £126k of funding from SWIG Finance.

23/09/2026

A new padel start-up has launched in Falmouth, thanks to a funding package of £143k delivered by SWIG Finance.

The package consists of a £25k Start Up Loan for each business owner and a £68k loan from the South West Investment Fund, both funds are delivered on behalf of the British Business Bank.

Of the funding, Padel Tide Co-Founder James Trevena commented: “We were especially interested in the flexibility of the lending package, with payments staged and linked to when we needed funds to pay for things like the groundworks and installation, allowing us to manage our cash flow accordingly.”

Lizzy Upton, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, said: “Padel Tide shows how our different funding options can work together to give new businesses the finance they need. By combining Start Up Loans with the South West Investment Fund, Chris, James and Leon have been able to turn their passion for the sport into a venture that will bring padel to Falmouth, creating a great facility for the local community.”

Read the full case study here:
https://www.swigfinance.co.uk/funding-serves-up-success-for-new-padel-business/

10/09/2026

Calling female entrepreneurs & business owners – if you’ve struggled to access finance to grow your business, come and speak to the team at SWIG Finance!

Did you know:
♀️ 36% of our lending in 25/26 was delivered to women-led businesses
♀️ 57% of our Business Loans Team is female
♀️ 57% of our Senior Management Team is female
♀️ 100% of our Start Up Loans Team is female

We recently supported Leteau Baby Spa with funding. Co-Founder, Louise said: “Ellie was great – she believed in our idea, and that made us feel more confident”.

To find out more about our funding, visit: https://www.swigfinance.co.uk/

Read more about Leteau Baby Spa's journey here: https://www.swigfinance.co.uk/sisters-receive-start-up-loan-for-baby-hydrotherapy/

A pair of Bristol mums have opened a new Dutch-style spa for babies with the help of £30k in Start Up Loans from SWIG Finance.

02/09/2026

Are you looking to grow a creative side hustle? According to Start Up Loans, two in five workers in the UK are doing just that.

Not only could a side hustle generate an additional income stream, it’s also a great way to hone your creative skills.

In this article from Start Up Loans, they share their top tips to get you started.

Read the blog here:
https://www.startuploans.co.uk/support-and-guidance/business-guidance/business-inspiration/how-to-grow-a-creative-side-hustle

British Business Bank

26/08/2026

Devon chef, Paul Hegley, buys a successful restaurant with a funding package delivered by SWIG Finance.

The funding for the buy-out consisted of an £80k business loan from the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund and £25k from the Bank’s Start Up Loans programme.

Of the funding, Paul said: “The loans were essential for the business acquisition, I wouldn’t have been able to build all the things we have planned for Verse Kingsbridge now, without them. The process was straightforward and I’m so grateful to Jim and Jules, and the team at SWIG”

Lizzy Upton, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, commented: “The South West Investment Fund is helping ambitious entrepreneurs across the region access the finance they need to start and grow their businesses. By combining support from SWIF and the Bank’s Start Up Loans programme, Paul and Hayley have been able to turn their vision into reality, safeguarding jobs and supporting the local hospitality economy.”

Read the case study here: https://www.swigfinance.co.uk/devon-chef-buys-successful-restaurant-with-swig-funding/

Devon-based chef, Paul Hegley, has acquired an established and well-loved restaurant, thanks to £105k in funding delivered by SWIG Finance.

17/08/2026

Do you want to be your own boss? We have funding available to support new entrepreneurs.

If you’re looking for funding to get your new business off the ground, a Start Up Loan could be the perfect option.

Through British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme, we typically support two entrepreneurs with funding every working day.

To discuss your requirements, get in touch on [email protected]

Alternatively, visit our website for more information: https://www.swigfinance.co.uk/start-up-loans/