SME Finance

The London Development Agency (LDA) is the Mayor's agency responsible for driving London’s sustainable economic growth – it's our job to ensure that London remains a global success story.

To help us deliver this we work with partners from industry, public and voluntary sectors. One of our key priorities is to focus on encouraging business growth and providing assistance to entrepreneurs looking to establish a new business.

Addressing the challenges faced by London businesses

The LDA is committed to assisting businesses across the capital with their financial requirements.

We understand and appreciate the issues many London-based businesses face when looking to raise finance, and utilise both private sector expert skills and public finance to counter such problems.

In principle, there is no shortage of finance available; London is the world-leading centre for finance. However, many SMEs have difficulties in developing a fit-for-purpose proposal that results in the business raising the necessary finance.

In addition, there are gaps in the provision of finance, and entrepreneurs with no track record or collateral struggle to raise finance to develop their business idea.

There is an acknowledged gap in the market where investors are reluctant to invest in a business that is looking for growth capital, preferring the lower risk of an established business and the economies of scale of larger investments.