The funding will be used to develop Connekt’s first three rapid charging hubs, enabling the company to expand its proven hub model contributing to national sustainability goals and supporting the transition to electric vehicles.

The British Business Bank’s £150 million IFS covers all areas of Scotland – Greater Glasgow, Greater Edinburgh, Aberdeen and North East, Dundee and Tayside, South of Scotland and the Highlands and Islands and provides loans from £25,000 to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.

Connekt Group specialises in the installation and management of commercial EV charging solutions across various sectors, including hospitality and corporate offices. It boasts an impressive network reliability with a 99.13% operability rate, underpinned by real-time data monitoring. The company aims to fill the gap in Scotland’s currently unreliable EV charging infrastructure by offering dependable and accessible charging solutions, supporting the Scottish Government’s objective of widespread EV adoption by 2030.

With 14 million tourists visiting Scotland each year, Connekt’s strategic placement of charging hubs at key tourism locations positions the company for sustained growth.

Connekt founder and managing director, Johnny Manning, said: “We are thrilled to receive this IFS loan via The FSE Group, which will help us play a pivotal role in propelling Connekt’s strategy in the rapid charging market whilst supporting Scotland’s green transition.

“Growth funding for early-stage businesses is limited but vital – with this support we are able to continue our work towards becoming a leader in the EV charging sector, driving the adoption of sustainable energy solutions across the nation.”

Jim Pritchard, investment manager at The FSE Group, added: “As the only privately-owned EV charging network in Scotland, Connekt is uniquely positioned in a high-growth niche, leveraging its reliable network and strategic market insights.

“Its robust management team, solid business model and strong growth trajectory present a compelling investment opportunity that we are delighted to support.”

Mark Sterritt, director of nations and regions funds at the British Business Bank, added: “Smaller businesses have an important role to play in Scotland’s transition to net zero, with firms providing technology and infrastructure for decarbonisation at the heart of it.

“However, access to finance is key to supporting their growth, allowing them to scale and make the most of growing demand for their services. Connekt is a great example of the type of business with high-growth potential that the IFS was set up to support and we look forward to seeing the wider roll out of its technology.”