NPIF II Leeds: OceanSaver Lands £1.9m as Fund Hits £275m

NPIF II Leeds investment hits £275m across 449 Yorkshire deals as eco-cleaning brand OceanSaver secures £1.9m to target supermarket expansion and plans to double its team

Leeds-based eco-friendly cleaning brand OceanSaver has secured £1.9 million in equity investment from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II as the fund marks its second anniversary with almost £275 million invested across Yorkshire and the Humber. The NPIF II Leeds and Yorkshire portfolio now spans 449 deals, with £151.3 million in direct investment unlocking a further £122.6 million from the private sector. OceanSaver, which makes plastic-free household cleaning products, will use the funding to expand its product range, target more retailers, and aims to double the size of its team within three years and achieve a six-fold increase in turnover by 2030.

Why This Matters For Leeds

£275 million across 449 Yorkshire deals in two years is significant regional investment infrastructure. The NPIF II model matters because it crowds in private capital, every £1 of direct investment has unlocked roughly 80p of additional private sector money.

OceanSaver and the NPIF II Leeds Story

OceanSaver makes household cleaning products that are free from plastic and harmful chemicals. The £1.9 million investment from NPIF II through Mercia Equity Finance will support expansion into more supermarket retailers, the company already has products on shelves and wants to become the UK’s biggest eco-cleaning brand. The business expects to double its team in the next three years. OceanSaver is one of 449 businesses supported across Yorkshire and the Humber since NPIF II launched two years ago. The fund offers loans from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investment up to £5 million, targeting businesses that might otherwise struggle to secure investment through traditional channels.

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“Yorkshire is full of ambitious, innovative businesses, and in just two years it’s incredible to see how many of them we’ve supported through NPIF II. Whether it’s businesses leading the way in new digital technology platforms, or those who are helping to create a more sustainable planet, we’re committed to backing the trailblazers who are shaping the economic environment of the region.”

— Mark Sterritt, Senior Investment Director, British Business Bank

How Leeds Businesses Can Access the Fund

NPIF II is a £660 million fund operated by the British Business Bank, providing loans and equity finance to Northern businesses. In Yorkshire and the Humber, the fund is delivered through three routes: smaller loans from £25,000 to £100,000 through Business Enterprise Fund (BEF), business loans from £100,000 to £2 million through Mercia, and equity investment up to £5 million also through Mercia. Applications go directly to the relevant fund manager rather than through the British Business Bank itself. The NPIF II Leeds and wider Yorkshire portfolio aligns with the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, with a focus on high-growth priority sectors and breaking down barriers to finance in harder-to-reach areas. For Leeds founders and growing businesses, this is publicly backed capital specifically designed to fill the gap where traditional bank lending or venture capital may not be available.