Equity investment levels in Scotland’s smaller businesses surged in the first three quarters of 2025, significantly outpacing the UK average.
The British Business Bank’s Small Business Finance Markets 2025/26 report found that during that period, the investment value of announced equity deals involving smaller businesses in Scotland rose by 70% compared with the same period in 2024, reaching £757m.
The increase was substantial, compared with the UK-wide decline of 20%, meaning that last year 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. Notably, Edinburgh-based battery energy storage system platform Fidra Energy secured a £445m funding round in the third quarter.
Across the UK, the 10 largest deals accounted for a quarter of total equity investment in the first three quarters of 2025 – the highest share since 2020 – underscoring the role of large-scale fundraisings in driving regional investment.
While the number of transactions fell slightly by 10% to 133, this was still ahead of the UK’s overall decline of 23%, highlighting Scotland’s resilient dealmaking environment and its position as the leading nation outside London for deal numbers.
The report also noted changes across the business population. In 2025, the number of private sector businesses increased by 2% in Scotland, compared with 4% growth in England and Northern Ireland, and a 12% decline in Wales. This marked a slowdown in growth for the devolved nations compared with 2024, when Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales saw growth of 19%, 9% and 1% respectively.
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. In just over two years, 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 of the devolved nations at the British Business Bank, said: “Scotland’s smaller business sector showed remarkable resilience in 2025.
“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,” he continued, adding: “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.”
