Jump in equity investment in Scottish smaller businesses

Equity investment levels in Scotland’s smaller businesses surged in the first three quarters of 2025, significantly outpacing the UK average, according to new research from the British Business Bank.

The Bank’s Small Business Finance Markets 2025/26 report found that during the first three quarters of 2025, the investment value of announced equity deals involving smaller businesses in Scotland rose by 70 per cent, compared with the same period in 2024, reaching £757m.

The increase was substantial compared with the UK-wide decline of 20 per cent and meant that in 2025 Scotland was on track to exceed the annual equity-investment-value record set in 2022.

Scotland’s investment growth was driven by a small number of high-value fundraisings. Edinburgh-based Fidra Energy, a battery energy storage system platform, secured a £445m funding round in Q3 2025, which contributed significantly to the overall increase.

While the number of transactions fell slightly by 10 per cent to 133, this was still ahead of the UK’s overall decline of 23 per cent, highlighting Scotland’s resilient dealmaking environment and its position as the leading nation outside London for deal numbers.

In late 2023, the British Business Bank launched its £150m investment fund for Scotland, to increase the availability and supply of finance to all parts of the country.

Since then, the fund has committed more than £35m to smaller Scottish businesses through loans ranging from £25,000 to £2m and equity investments up to £5m.

Susan Nightingale, director, UK network, devolved nations at the British Business Bank, said: “Scotland’s smaller-business sector showed remarkable resilience in 2025. Even as overall UK equity investment fell, Scotland experienced a strong rebound, supported by some of the largest fundraisings in recent years.

 “The year-on-year rise underscores the strength of Scotland’s investment ecosystem and the ambitions of its entrepreneurs. As interest rates have begun to stabilise and confidence gradually returns to the market, we’re seeing encouraging signs that businesses are continuing to secure the capital they need to scale.

“Maintaining that momentum will be key. Ensuring smaller businesses across Scotland can access the right type of finance at the right time remains critical to supporting innovation, driving the economy, lifting wages and improving living standards.”

www.british-business-bank.co.uk

 Photography: Chris Watt, of Susan Nightingale