News
South Tyneside ahead of the curve for Microloan Investments
Emma Neal
09 Jun 2016
New data from the managers of the North East Microloan Fund has shown that companies in the South Tyneside area are more successful in applying for Microloan funding than those from other areas of the North East.
Rivers Capital Partners, which manages the £7.5 million North East Microloan Fund, found that applications for loans from companies based in South Tyneside had a success rate of 54.5%, almost 14% higher than the regional average.
Rivers Capital has managed the Microloan Fund, which since it was established in 2011 has invested in 225 established SMEs and 222 start-ups. When it took over managing the fund Rivers Capital pledged to do more to help established SMEs, in addition to the start-ups the fund had been used to help previously.
Across the region, 447 companies, including 36 in South Tyneside have benefitted from 490 investments from the North East Microloan fund since 2011, of which many have received follow-up investments. The fund is part of the £142 million Finance for Business North East programme, which is funded by the European Investment Bank, the Regional Growth Fund, and the European Regional Development Fund.
Jonathan Gold, Managing Director of Rivers Capital Partners, said: “By making 490 investments in 447 companies, the North East Microloan Fund has created more than 500 jobs and safeguarded at least 750 more. By focussing the fund more on helping established SMEs to grow we can be confident that more of the jobs created are sustainable in the medium to long term. It is really important that SMEs see how a small loan can help with their ambitions for growth.
“We’re delighted to see that such a high percentage of applications made by South Tyneside companies are successful. Help from the local council in pointing businesses towards finance, including less traditional sources of finance, has undoubtedly helped with this. Our ‘Meet the Funder’ events happen regularly at business centres throughout the area and are a great way for businesses to learn about both microloans and angel investment.”


North East’s first Subway Franchisee founds natural energy drink company, Point Blank Cold Brew and fuels up for funding with £25,000 microloan.
Newcastle-based innovative cold brew coffee company, Point Blank Cold Brew has secured a £25,000 loan from the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund, managed...

Durham-based metalwork specialists, Steelcraft safeguard 23 jobs after securing a £50,000 microloan.
County Durham-based architectural metalwork specialist has secured a £50,000 loan from the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund securing 23 jobs and enabling the...

Sources of Finance for North East Businesses
Different investors look for different things from a business. The key is identifying what people do want from you and the investment they are making. True,...

Rivers make two new appointments to the senior team
Founder of Tiger Corporate Finance Ltd, Roland Tate joins the board of Directors at regional venture capital fund managers, Rivers Capital Partners. Previously working for BP...

Rivers Capital Partners are appointed loan broker of Atom Bank
Rivers Capital Partners has been appointed as one of the first commercial loan intermediaries for Atom Bank, the first venture capital investor to do so....

10 tips for every business plan
There is no such thing as a perfect business plan, but I see so many poor ones. My experience in the venture capital and angel...

The Duck House Corbridge fits the Bill for funding after securing a £25,000 microloan.
Corbridge-based full service restaurant and cocktail bar, The Duck House has successfully secured a £25,000 microloan via the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund....

New Doggy Day Camp and Grooming Parlour sets tails wagging after securing £14,000 microloan.
Sunderland-based ‘Doggy Day Camp’ and grooming parlour Woofs n Scruffs has secured a £14,000 loan via the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund. Managed...
Exclusive Business North East secures £25,000 to unveil platform for elite business people
A new regional business group, Exclusive Business NE has secured a £25,000 loan via the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund. The regional loan...

Peak Aerial takes off after landing £25,000 microloan to use innovative drone technology.
Teesside-based digital imaging specialists, Peak Aerial have secured a £25,000 loan via the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund. The regional loan scheme is...

Love Lunch deli secures £10,000 microloan to fund growth.
Newcastle-based ‘clean’ food cafe and coffee bar Love Lunch has secured a £10,000 loan via the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund. Managed by...

Gateshead-based Design Strategists secure a £15,000 loan to grow.
Pioneering design consultancy, Forward Design Innovation has secured a £15,000 loan via the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund. The regional loan scheme is...

South Tyneside ahead of the curve for Microloan Investments
New data from the managers of the North East Microloan Fund has shown that companies in the South Tyneside area are more successful in applying...

Innovision Global secures £50,000 from Rivers Capital after attending Venturefest
Ashington-based Innovision Global has secured a £50,000 loan through the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund, a regional loan scheme managed by Rivers Capital...

Teesside University’s Launchpad working with Rivers Capital to build the start-up community on campus.
Regional Fund Managers Rivers Capital Partners have re-located their Tees Valley-based operations. The move to the Victoria Building at Teesside University will better support the...

Working with The BIC to promote available finance to local businesses.
Dedicated to supporting North East businesses to start-up and grow, the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) has recently entered into a collaborative partnership...

The North East Microloan Fund is awarded £1m extension for 2016
The North East Microloan Fund has £1m to invest in 2016 to support start-ups and small businesses looking for simple loans to expand their operations...

Fit for funding: South Tyneside based fitness club secures £10,000 Microloan.
South Tyneside based Kates Slimming & Fitness Club has secured a £10,000 loan through the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund, a regional loan...

Rivers Capital Partners appoint two new Directors to their Board.
Former Goldman Sachs trader, Dr Chris Cathey returns to his local roots of Newcastle after enjoying a successful fifteen year career. Chris joined Goldman Sachs...

The North East Microloan Fund reports record year for 2015
The Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund managed by Rivers Capital Partners has had one of the most successful operating years since its inception...

Cream of the crop: Parlour at Blagdon receives a £35,000 Microloan
The Parlour at Blagdon has received a £35,000 Microloan from the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund managed by Rivers Capital Partners. The Parlour...

Westerhope Brake & Clutch Services geared up for expansion after securing £25,000 Microloan
Newcastle-based Westerhope Brake & Clutch Services has received a £25,000 loan via the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund. The regional loan scheme offers...

Designed for Funding: Local architects Sadler Brown receive Microloan funding to aid their expansion
Newcastle-based architects, Sadler Brown have received funding through the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund, run by Rivers Capital Partners. The award-winning architects aim...

BE Group working with Rivers Loan to help take your business to the next level
Dedicated to helping businesses across the country to succeed and grow, the BE Group have recently entered into a collaborative partnership with Rivers Loan (a...

Investing in Virtual Reality: Teesside-based Spearhead Interactive receive a £25,000 Microloan
Spearhead Interactive are an industry recognised and award winning company solving business challenges through the use of emerging technology. Specialising in the development of immersive...

Washington’s Three Horse Shoes receive a £40,000 Microloan
Washington’s Three Horse Shoes has opened their doors after securing a £40,000 loan through the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund, managed by Rivers...

Coffee house full of beans after it receives Microloan funding
Gateshead-based independent café Altin Coffee House has received a loan through the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund run by Rivers Capital Partners. Founded in...

Hot Topic: Kilimandjaro sources funding from the North East Microloan Fund
Hartlepool-based hot sauce manufacturer Kilimandjaro has received a five figure investment from the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund to support their recent growth....

Local Automotive Company gets revved up as they secure £20,000 funding
South-Tyneside-based automotive company JLS Automotive has secured a £20,000 loan through the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund, a regional loan scheme run by...

An extended market: local company gains Microloan funding boost
Middlesbrough-based hair extension supplier has secured a loan from the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund, a regional loan scheme managed by Rivers Capital...

Funding fun: Tyneside craft business secures £25,000 Microloan
A North-Tyneside-based craft business has secured a £25,000 loan through the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund, a regional loan scheme managed by Rivers...

Fixed on expansion: Computer Repair Company secures £7,000 Microloan
Ponteland-based computer and technology repairs company, Fortress Computers secured a £7,000 loan from the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund managed by Rivers Capital...
CAS Recruitment take-off after landing five-figure investment from the Microloan Fund
South-Tyneside-based recruitment agency CAS (Composite & Aerospace Solutions) has secured a five figure sum through the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund. This is...

5 things to get right in a business plan looking for the cash
People forget how many hundreds of business plans that lenders and investor like Banks and Venture Capitalists see each year. It’s a lot and if...

Local digital company hopes to gain surge in commerce after securing Microloan.
A regional digital advertising agency has secured a cash boost from the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund, a regional loan scheme managed by...

A sporting chance: sports distributor secures £20,000 cash injection from Microloan Fund.
A local sports equipment business has gained a £20,000 loan from the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund, a regional loan scheme managed by...

Local brewery taps into Microloan Fund to enable expansion
A microbrewery based in Bishop Auckland, has secured a £25,000 cash injection from the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund, a regional loan scheme...

Wasting no opportunity: local company secures a £13,000 cash boost from the Microloan Fund.
A local waste management business has secured a £13,000 loan investment from the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund, a regional loan scheme managed...

Designed for success: specialist furniture company secures £25,000 from the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund
A Middlesbrough design company, Dearden, has secured a £25,000 loan from the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund, a regional loan scheme managed by...

North East business growth
*Article orignally in the North East Times North East business growth... driven by equity and loan finance says, Jonathan Gold, founding director of Rivers Capital Partners I...
Company's prosperous future set in stone after Microloan fund.
A local Ashington stone product manufacturer has received a cash injection from the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund, a regional loan scheme managed...

An icy new start for Sweet Art Patisserie
A wholesale dessert company in Marske has secured a five figure investment from the North East Microloan Fund to grow their sweet business into a...

Loans or Equity the big question...
Many businesses seeking cash to start-up or grow face the question which is best for me, a loan or selling some shares to an equity...

Family business fixed for funding following £25,000 investment boost
A small North Tyneside-based family business is ‘fixed for funding’ following a £25,000 investment from the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund. From their premises...

Excellent Construction is Eminent
Eminent Engineering specialises in the fabrication, treatment and erection of bespoke steelwork projects for blue chip construction companies such as Bam Construction, Mansell Construction and...

Microloans to Fund Big Ideas - A Must Have for MASfab
A newly formed Bowburn-based business has recently secured a £25,000 funding boost from the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund. MASfab provides steel fabrication, installation...

What’s the Big Idea?
Whitley bay-based technical development company Cogiva steps up their operations following a £10,000 investment from the Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund. Cogiva provides bespoke...

Rivers' Director Jonathan Gold on a Mission
Jonathan Gold, a founding partner and Director at Rivers Capital says he's on a mission. Over the last few weeks he has started giving talks...

£6.5m NE Microloan Fund open for business
In case you had not noticed there is a new lender in the North East. No not a new Bank. Rivers Loan have taken over...