Equity deals involving Northern Ireland businesses increased 17% in 2025, the strongest regional growth across the UK. The British Business Bank's annual Small Business Equity Tracker showed the region and Yorkshire and The Humber were the only areas to record a rise in deal numbers.

The total value of those deals fell 12% year-on-year to £102 million. Susan Nightingale, the bank's senior director for Northern Ireland, said the increase in deal activity was positive news. She noted the decline in value reflected the market cycle and highlighted the need for businesses to understand the range of finance options available as they scale.

The British Business Bank supported 15% of all UK equity deals and 16% of total investment between 2023 and 2025, focusing on innovation-driven firms including artificial intelligence ventures. Across the UK, 84% of newly backed businesses in 2024/25 were based outside London. In Northern Ireland, the Investment Fund for Northern Ireland has committed £100 million to smaller businesses.

UK-wide equity investment into smaller firms slipped 4% to £12.3 billion but remained above pre-pandemic levels. Investors concentrated on fewer, larger transactions, with the top ten fundraisings accounting for 23% of all investment. AI companies attracted a record 44% of total equity investment, representing 26% of all deals. Early-stage activity weakened, with seed and venture deals down 27% and 13% respectively.

The bank has accelerated investment following its five-year strategic plan published in November 2025, aiming to unlock around £26 billion of private capital alongside £13 billion of its own funding, including £4 billion for the government's industrial strategy sectors.