Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund (CIOSIF)

The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund (CIOSIF) was an initiative launched by the government-owned British Business Bank, supported by the European Regional Development Fund. Launched in February 2017, it completed its investment phase in December 2023, facilitating over £200m of direct and private sector co-investment to growing companies across the South West. CIOSIF aimed to transform the finance landscape for smaller businesses in the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly region and foster economic growth through enterprise, targeting SMEs with commercial debt and equity finance ranging from £25,000 to £2 million to support their growth and job creation. The fund addressed barriers to accessing finance and an equity gap in start-up, early stage, and development capital, specifically tailored for small businesses across the region. It offered a mix of debt and equity funding to SMEs at various stages of development, utilizing a combination of ERDF, LEP, and HMG grant funding. Although CIOSIF has completed its investment phase, the region continues to be served by the South West Investment Fund, which launched in July 2023 and is open to investments. The new fund aims to deliver £200m of investment to growing companies, building on CIOSIF's legacy of supporting businesses through debt and equity financing. The investment strategy included both debt and equity options, recognizing the different needs of businesses whether for working capital, rapid growth, or longer-term backing.

Commercial debt and equity finance

Core thematic spaces, technologies, and target market segments of interest.