Future Fund - open for applications from 20th May
The Future Fund - announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 20 April - will open for applications from Wednesday 20 May.
The Future Fund uses an online platform for applications, which has published its set of standard terms and eligibility criteria for borrowers, investors and solicitors to view in advance of opening for applications from Wednesday.
The new Future Fund will support innovative UK companies with good potential, that are essential in ensuring the UK retains its world leading position in science, innovation and technology. These companies typically rely on equity investment and are currently affected by COVID-19.
Until now these companies have been unable to access other government business support programmes because they are either pre-revenue or pre-profit. The financing supports companies facing a significantly extended length of time between funding rounds, due to the impact of the current economic situation.
Developed by government and delivered by the British Business Bank, the Future Fund will help these companies through the current period of economic disruption and recovery, so they are able to continue their growth trajectory and reach their full economic potential.
How it works:
- Open for applications from Wednesday 20 May.
- Scheme operates on a commercial basis to deliver an initial commitment of £250m of new government funding.
- Financing will be unlocked by additional third-party investment on a match funded basis.
- Applications submitted via an online platform based on a set of standard terms and eligibility criteria.
Eligibility criteria:
- Companies must be UK-incorporated and if part of a corporate group, only the parent company is eligible.
- Companies in receipt of the loans will be required to have previously raised at least £250k in equity investment from third party investors in the last five years.
- Only eligible companies that can attract at least 50% of third-party investment will receive funding.
- Companies cannot have any of their shares traded on a regulated market, multilateral trading facility or other listing venue.
- The company must have been incorporated on or before 31 December 2019.
- At least one of the following must be true for the company:
- Half or more employees are UK based;
- Half or more revenues are from UK sales.
For more information on the Future Fund eligibility criteria and applications process, see the factsheet. Or visit the Future Fund webpages here.
The Future Fund online platform is open for applications from Wednesday 20 May.
For more information on the latest COVID-19 developments related to business and practice, visit the ICAS coronavirus hub.