DSL Business Finance was formed in 1993 in response to research into the difficulties faced by people from under-invested communities when attempting to access funding for new or existing businesses. In response, the Glasgow Regeneration Fund (GRF) was established to provide microfinance to entrepreneurs in Glasgow. GRF raised more than £3 million from public and private-sector sponsors, including ERDF, Glasgow City Council and Scottish Enterprise Glasgow. The private sector also made significant financial contributions, including support from The Body Shop, Royal Bank of Scotland and British Petroleum.
GRF was formally wound up in June 2001, having invested more than £3 million in 372 ‘high risk’ enterprises, creating 2126 new jobs and safeguarding more than 1000 existing jobs. In 2001 we built on the success of GRF by developing two new funds: the Social Enterprise Fund (SEF) for social economy organisations; and the Western Scotland Regeneration Fund (WSRF). The funds were raised from ERDF, the Phoenix fund from the DTI and DSL’s first commercial loan from Unity Trust Bank.
The Scottish Microfinance Fund (SMF) is available to both new and established businesses, with the prime objective of supporting enterprise in Scotland.
We fund businesses for between £1000 and £50,000.
All applicants are assigned a Loan Officer throughout the process and receive face-to-face, pre and post loan drawdown support. Our friendly team are here to advise and support you every step of the way.