The British Business Bank has announced a £5 million commitment to the British Design Fund (BDF), an early-stage fund and angel network that backs UK product-focused businesses, through its Regional Angels Programme.

The fund is managed by Sapphire Capital Partners LLP and seeks to support UK-based startup enterprises that design and manufacture physical products.

The Regional Angels Programme, launched in 2019 with the objective of addressing regional imbalances in access to early-stage equity finance, targets angel networks and other early-stage investors outside of London. This commitment supports this mission, enhancing access to capital for early-stage businesses across diverse sectors.