Scottish National Investment Bank
Scotland's public development bank, which invests £1 million to £50 million of long-term debt or equity in businesses and projects that serve its missions: net zero, places and innovation.
- Secured on assets
- Debenture (charge over company assets)
- Shares
How it works
The Scottish National Investment Bank was set up under the Scottish National Investment Bank Act 2020. It provides patient capital, meaning money invested for the long term, on commercial terms, through debt, equity and, where appropriate, investment in funds.
It invests in businesses and projects that support one of its three missions:
- Net zero: for example clean energy and energy security
- Place: transforming communities, such as housing and regeneration
- Innovation: helping scale-ups reach their potential
Its investment strategy looks for:
- an investment of £1 million to £50 million
- a strong, experienced management team
- product-market fit and revenue, where appropriate
- technology that is ready for the stage of investment
- other investors who share its aims, investing alongside it
- a significant presence in Scotland, or a clear commitment to set one up
You start by sending an enquiry that says which mission you support, how much you need, whether debt or equity, and a summary of the business or project.
Upsides and downsides
Upsides
- Large, long-term investment that private investors may not offer
- Can provide debt or equity, or both
- Backing from a public bank can attract other investors
Downsides
- Only for amounts of £1 million or more
- Only for businesses and projects that fit one of its missions
- Large deals take months and need detailed due diligence
Risks
- Losing some ownership and control if you take equity
- Long negotiations that may not lead to a deal
What it costs
- How it is priced
- Commercial interest on debt, or shares for equity, agreed deal by deal
- Costs that are easy to miss
- Legal and due diligence costs on large deals
- Reporting on the mission impact of the investment
- Equity investors will expect a say in big decisions and a way to sell their shares later
£1 million to £50 million per investment, on commercial terms.
Have a quote? True cost of a loan: work out the APR-equivalent and total cost
Does it fit?
Could fit when
- You are based in Scotland and need £1 million or more
- Your business or project supports net zero, communities or innovation
Unlikely to fit when
- You are not based in Scotland and do not plan a significant presence there
- You need less than £1 million
- Your business does not support any of the bank's missions
Who can use it
- Business types: Private limited company, LLP, Public limited company, Community interest company, Co-operative or community benefit society
- A significant presence in Scotland, or a clear commitment to set one up alongside the investment
- Must support one of the bank's missions (net zero, place or innovation)
- Usually alongside other investors
Am I ready?
What a provider is likely to ask for. Tick what you have. Your ticks stay in this browser and nothing is stored. Checklist for all government-backed and community lending
0%
0 of 4 ticked
- Mission fit
- Experienced management team
- Financial model
Regulation and protections
A public development bank set up under the Scottish National Investment Bank Act 2020. Terms are agreed deal by deal.
Types of provider: Scottish National Investment Bank.
Also consider
Sources
- Scottish National Investment Bank: home page · checked 7 October 2026
- Scottish National Investment Bank: Investment Strategy 2026–2027 · checked 7 October 2026
- Scottish National Investment Bank: How the Bank invests · checked 7 October 2026