Scottish Seed Fund

Small businesses and young companies may find it difficult to raise money from banks and investors. Scottish Enterprise introduced the Scottish Seed Fund (SSF) to improve the availability of finance for start-up and young growing companies in Scotland.

Funding of between £20,000 and £100,000 is available to companies. This can be:

  • on an equity basis - making Scottish Enterprise an investor in the company by acquiring shares;
  • as a loan - normally undertaken in exceptional circumstances. For example, when the external private equity investor decides to invest via a loan; or
  • a combination of equity and loan funding.

To secure investment you must be willing to match at least 50 per cent of the company’s financing requirements

PDF document Download the Scottish Seed Fund guidance notes (PDF, 103kb)

Eligibility

The Scottish Seed Fund will invest in start-ups and early stage companies at the end phase of product development and/or commercialisation. When deciding whether to invest, we will consider:

  • the nature, age and stage of the business;
  • management skills;
  • potential for innovation and growth;
  • availability of other funding; and
  • how the funding will be used.

Priority will be given to businesses demonstrating high-growth potential - in terms of launching new products, entering new markets and increasing employment. The Fund is also limited to supporting smaller businesses (up to 250 employees, with a turnover of less than £24 million or net balance sheet assets of less than £16 million).

How to apply

If you have an investment proposal you would like matched investment funding for, contact the Local Investment Networking Company (LINC) Scotland.