Hull-based youth support business Wild Intervention has secured a loan from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), marking the first deal of its kind in Hull and East Yorkshire. The funding, managed by Business Enterprise Fund (BEF) as part of NPIF II’s Smaller Loans programme, will allow the company to expand its services and develop new technology to support young people.
Wild Intervention, founded in 2020 by Caine Wild, focuses on providing outdoor education and support for young people aged 16 and over. After a career in the navy, Wild launched the business with a vision of using outdoor activities to help young people build self-confidence, improve their well-being, and develop essential life skills. The company also offers Supported Living services, alternative education, and outreach programmes for young people at both primary and secondary school levels.
The latest funding will enable Wild Intervention to develop a new app, called Sapling, designed to monitor and track the progress of young people with Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plans. These plans are crucial for students who need additional support, and the app aims to make it easier to store and manage data on each child’s progress. There are currently over half a million children with EHC plans in the UK, and Wild Intervention hopes the new technology will help them reach a wider audience.
The loan will also allow the company to free up cash flow, enabling its other arm, Wild Opportunities, to offer more community-based activities. Wild Opportunities focuses on educational and employment support, providing discounted and free activities for young people to aid their personal development.
Since its launch, Wild Intervention has grown rapidly, employing 64 staff who work directly with 48 young people. The company plans to create 15 new jobs and safeguard 43 existing positions with the help of the new funding.
Caine Wild, managing director of Wild Intervention, expressed his gratitude for the support from NPIF II and BEF: “Young people are the future of our country, and we’re committed to supporting as many as we can. This funding is essential in helping us develop the technology that will ensure young people receive the right level of support. It also allows us to continue our rapid growth and provide even more opportunities for young people to thrive.”
Duane Walker, Investment Manager at BEF, praised the impact Wild Intervention has had on the local community: “Wild Intervention is an inspiring business with a strong social mission. Despite challenges in securing finance, NPIF II Smaller Loans is designed to help businesses like Wild Intervention grow, create jobs, and provide crucial support.”
The £660 million Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II was launched to drive sustainable economic growth in the North of England by providing early-stage finance to small and medium-sized businesses. Simon Cunnington, Director at the British Business Bank, said: “This loan will help address an important social cause by filling a technological gap in Wild Intervention’s services. We are excited to see this first deal in Hull and East Yorkshire and look forward to more success stories in the region.”
The NPIF II provides loans of up to £2 million and equity investment of up to £5 million to help businesses across the North start up, scale up, or stay ahead in their industries.
