Local Funding

Highland Opportunity Limited

Businesses in the Highlands area of Scotland are able to apply for financial assistance through the Prospect Fund.
The preferred sectors to which assistance is given are manufacturing, processing, tourism, leisure and the service sector. The aim of the Fund is to help such projects go ahead where otherwise they may not.

A key feature of the Prospect Fund is the flexibility to make decisions based upon the actual needs of a client and the merit of an investment proposal. Applicants should approach HOL directly. A Business Adviser will discuss investment requirements and look at any business plans you may have. If the Business Adviser thinks the investment project is viable, a proposal will be developed for presentation to the HOL Board of Directors, whose decision will be final. The applicant will be required to attend the Board Meeting to support the application.

Applicants need to be aware that the fact of a loan award will be made public information by the Highland Council, as the owner of HOL.

Businesses in the manufacturing, processing, tourism, leisure and the service sectors.

Financial assistance is available from £30,000 to £500,000 in the form of discretionary secured loans, or sometimes, private equity. Loans are awarded for terms of up to 10 years. The Board of Directors sets the interest rate on an individual case basis, but it will generally be more competitive than the prevailing bank commercial loan rates.