The Greater London Investment Fund (“GLIF”) operates as a £100 million fund of funds, managed by Funding London. GLIF supports economic growth by providing loan and equity finance for London’s SMEs, through its investments in three sub-funds. MMC Ventures manage the equity sub-fund, and The FSE Group manage the two loan sub-funds. The GLIF and its sub-funds were launched in May 2019 by the Mayor of London.

Stakeholders
GLIF Funds
Board

GLIF provides the following

Investment finance to SMEs with excellent growth prospects who continue to be caught in the finance gap.
£100m of investment into 170 SMEs across three different investment products and leveraging a further £103m from private sector co-investors.
Investment consistent with sound commercial disciplines; thereby ensuring the funds generate a return and therefore grow the capital base.
Support to develop the Circular Economy ecosystem by supporting early-stage CE businesses.
3,500 new jobs in London as a result of the investment.

GLIF'S stakeholders

GLIF was set up with a £35m grant from the 2014-2020 European Regional Development Fund Programme (“ERDF”) and a £7m grant from the London Waste and Recycling Board (“LWARB”).

The remaining sources of finance are a £50m loan from the European Investment Bank and returns from Funding London’s previous funds.

GLIF’s objectives are underpinned by the Mayor of London’s Economic Development Strategy (EDS).

GLIF focuses on the sectors outlined in the EDS – cultural and creative industries; financial and business services; life sciences; environmental industries (including circular economy); tech and digital and tourism – that are important to create inclusive and sustainable growth in London.

The sub-funds have been established as limited partnerships, in line with industry norms, including having independent advisory committees that provide strategic oversight of their delivery.