Suzanne McKellar had worked as an accountant for over 10 years with a range of small and large accountancy firms. During this time, she had identified a number of opportunities within a market she knew well and needed relatively nominal support to assist with starting her own practice which was primarily focused on taxation. In 2017, she approached DSL Business Finance for a start-up loan.  DSL provided a start-up loan to help get the business going. The loan funding was used to purchase required accounting software and other start-up cost. Over the next two years, the business thrived.

Trading under ThermaFY, Kelso based Shock Innovations Ltd is helping hospitals to tackle coronavirus infections after receiving early-stage loan funding to support development of its thermal imaging technology.

An initial loan from the Scottish Microfinance Fund, which DSL Business Finance delivers on behalf of the Scottish Government, was provided to assist as part of an overall package to fund working capital as the business sought to establish itself in 2018.

A second sum was subsequently awarded using the Digital Development Loan Fund, a separate Scottish Government funded initiative delivered by DSL in partnership with Lanarkshire Enterprise Services Ltd to provide loans to SMEs working to improve their digital capabilities and capacity.

The loans have helped to fund the development of ThermaFY’s thermal imaging technology, now being used by the NHS in a number of UK hospitals in the fight against Covid-19.

An online beauty business based in the Highlands has received a funding loan of £25,000 from Scottish responsible finance provider, DSL Business Finance Ltd.

DSL’s investment, allowed a completed funding round that enabled independent start-up skincare brand, bubu, to acquire the necessary stock it needed to take its products to the market. It provided the brand with the building blocks it requires to solidify their business operation with a view to fast international growth.

Alness-based bubu was first launched in November 2019 with popular UK fashion retailer Pretty Little Thing. Despite Covid-19, bubu remains on a strong growth path, hiring three new employees during lockdown. It is currently preparing to open a new working warehouse and laboratory space in the Highlands.

Kalopsia was established as a textiles artists’ collective in 2012 by Adam and Nina. It’s now a forward-thinking social enterprise, capable of competing against traditional businesses. It strives to minimise the environmental impact of the business and manufacturing operations.

Davide Angeletti had been roasting coffee from home and selling it in the local area. When the orders grew, he acquired a small business premises and established Ovenbird Coffee Roasters to fill a gap in the growing speciality coffee industry in the UK. Along with speciality coffee, Ovenbird has developed a new Whisky Coffee which is sold to the public as well as to retailers.

With a background in hospitality and an entrepreneurial mindset, Kevin Paterson noticed an opportunity in the Hamilton area of Inverness to establish a neighbourhood food place to capitalise on the lack of fierce competition. Ever since he was a young lad he’d dreamt of opening up a community-focused food venture that challenges the existing scene and brings something fresh and new.