Purple Shoots
Purple Shoots is a UK not-for-profit microfinance charity founded in 2013 that provides small ethical business loans (£500-£3,000) and community-based Self Reliant Groups to entrepreneurs excluded from mainstream finance, operating across Wales and parts of England.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersCardiff, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Purple Shoots does
Purple Shoots is a not-for-profit microfinance organisation and registered charity (Charity No. 1155385) founded in 2013 by Karen Davies, structured as a company limited by guarantee and headquartered at 2 Church Street, Pontypridd, Wales. The organisation is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 720894) and operates as a Responsible Finance Provider. Its core function is to provide small ethical business loans — £500 to £3,000 at 14.5% per annum (25.7% representative APR) with 12-36 month repayment terms — to entrepreneurs excluded from mainstream finance due to low credit scores, lack of collateral, or systemic disadvantage. Alongside lending, Purple Shoots runs 38 active Self Reliant Groups (SRGs) across South Wales and parts of England: community-based peer groups that support skills-building, savings, and income generation, established via partnerships with churches, housing associations, and community organisations.
The technology stack is deliberately light: there is no proprietary software platform, no API, and no AI/ML infrastructure; Purple Shoots relies on the third-party Plend affordability software for loan assessment and a standard online enquiry workflow. Wraparound products include the Zero Interest Loan Scheme (a government-backed pilot launched January 2023 in partnership with Plend and Robert Owen Community Banking for individuals at risk of loan sharks), "Why Not?" educational courses, training and mentoring services, a Church Partnership Programme for SRG expansion, a Corporate Partnership Programme that monetises corporate ESG budgets via bespoke training and a boardgame-based personal development tool, and a Community Investment Tax Relief (CITR) investment programme offering 25% tax relief on social investments of £1,000 or more over five years.
Revenue is generated across four streams: loan interest income, CITR-eligible social investment, charitable donations, and corporate partnership fees. Distribution is relationship- and partnership-led rather than technology-led, with referrals flowing from Development Bank of Wales, Business Wales, Church Action on Poverty, Centre for Social Justice, Responsible Finance, and individual churches and housing associations. In FY2024-25 the organisation made 52 loans totalling £228,324, supported 38 active SRGs, contributed to 68 new jobs, and reported £3.25 million in local economic impact with a stated £14.25 in community value generated per £1 invested and a £960,000 net contribution to HM Treasury through reduced benefits and increased tax receipts.
Purple Shoots firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Purple Shoots
- Legal name
- Purple Shoots Business Lending Ltd
- Website
- https://purpleshoots.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Purple Shoots is a UK not-for-profit microfinance charity founded in 2013 that provides small ethical business loans (£500-£3,000) and community-based Self Reliant Groups to entrepreneurs excluded from mainstream finance, operating across Wales and parts of England.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Purple Shoots industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Microfinance
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (813990), Individual and Family Services (6241)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Impact Investing & Social Finance (Funds, CDFIs, Microfinance) (BPAGALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Microfinance & Community P2P Lending (FSAKAHAD)
Keywords
Where Purple Shoots is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cardiff
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices12 records
Markets served
Purple Shoots business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Loan Interest Income: Purple Shoots earns interest on small business loans ranging from £500 to £3,000. Interest rate is 14.5% per annum with representative APR of 25.7%. As a not-for-profit lender, rates are set to balance borrower affordability with operational sustainability.
- Community Investment Tax Relief (CITR) Investment Programme: Investors can invest £1,000 or more with Purple Shoots, receiving full repayment within 5 years plus 25% tax relief (or more for higher-rate taxpayers) under the government CITR scheme. This provides capital for lending operations.
- Donations: Charitable donations from individuals and organizations to support microfinance lending and Self Reliant Group operations. Direct bank transfers and card payments accepted.
- Corporate Partnership Fees: Corporate partners invest in Purple Shoots using ESG budgets. Benefits include impact reporting, bespoke training sessions, personal development boardgame experiences, and staff engagement activities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Small business loans from £500 to £3,000 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels13 records
Purple Shoots product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Purple Shoots is a UK-registered charity and Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) that provides small affordable business loans of £500 to £3,000 at 14.5% interest to people excluded from mainstream finance. It operates Self-Reliant Groups (peer-based community savings and support groups) across Wales and parts of England, and wraps loans with mentoring, the Zero Interest Loan Scheme, "Why Not?" courses, and a Community Investment Tax Relief (CITR) investment programme.
Product overview
Purple Shoots operates as a not-for-profit microfinance organisation and registered charity offering two integrated core services: Small Business Loans (microfinance lending from £500-£3,000 at ethical rates) and Self-Reliant Groups (community-based peer support groups for skills-building and income generation). These are complemented by wraparound support including a Zero Interest Loan Scheme (government-backed pilot for loan shark victims), "Why Not?" educational courses, Training and Mentoring, a Corporate Partnership Programme for ESG engagement, and a Community Investment Tax Relief investment programme. The organisation also runs a Church Partnership Programme to expand SRG reach. Together, these offerings create a holistic support ecosystem for financially excluded entrepreneurs across Wales and England.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Small Business Loans Loans ranging from £500 to £3,000 at 14.5% interest with flexible repayment terms, available to sole traders, micro-businesses, and self-employed individuals who are unable to access mainstream finance due to poor credit history, lack of collateral, or being considered high risk by traditional lenders.
- Self-Reliant Groups (SRGs) Community-based peer support groups where members meet regularly to share experiences, save together, and build self-reliance, with facilitator support and access to the wider Purple Shoots ecosystem. Designed for excluded individuals who benefit from a structured group environment.
- Zero Interest Loan Scheme (ZILS) Interest-free loans offered alongside the standard 14.5% lending product to extend access to micro-finance for borrowers who cannot service a commercial interest rate.
- "Why Not?" Courses Training courses for excluded individuals exploring self-employment, covering the practical and personal skills needed to start a small business.
- Corporate Partnership Programme A paid B2B package for companies wanting to support financial inclusion, including bespoke training, a board game workshop, and use of ESG/CSR budgets to fund Purple Shoots activity.
- Community Investment Tax Relief (CITR) Investment Programme Allows qualifying investors to receive Community Investment Tax Relief by investing directly into Purple Shoots, providing capital that is then redeployed as small business loans to excluded entrepreneurs.
Quantifiable outcome
- £14.25 in community value generated for every £1 invested
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Purple Shoots
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Purple Shoots technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Purple Shoots partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.
- PlendcoreFintech partnership for affordability assessment software. Purple Shoots uses Plend software to analyze financial affordability and ensure responsible lending decisions.
- Robert Owen Community BankingcorePartner in the Zero Interest Loan Scheme, a government-backed pilot launched January 2023 offering personal loans at zero interest to individuals at risk of loan sharks.
- Development Bank of WaleskeyReferral pathway for entrepreneurs seeking small business finance. Purple Shoots borrowers often discover Purple Shoots through Development Bank of Wales.
- Business WaleskeyGovernment business support organization in Wales. Purple Shoots is recommended to entrepreneurs building businesses through Business Wales programmes.
- Church Action on PovertykeyNational charity partnership enabling Purple Shoots to reach church partners around the UK for SRG establishment.
- Centre for Social JusticekeyPolicy partnership for advocacy and research. Purple Shoots participates in events and discussions about issues facing microbusiness owners.
- Centre for African EnterprisekeyPartnership to support refugees and people from ethnic minorities. Together promoting 'The Welsh Dream' - vision for success rooted in Welsh community and culture.
- Inner Development Goals UK Capacity Building NetworksupportingNetwork of like-minded organizations shaping work within internationally recognized framework. Purple Shoots' SRG approach aligns with the five Inner Development Goals.
- UK Community Finance Partnership TaskforcekeyGovernment initiative to unlock £1 billion of additional SME lending through Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs). Purple Shoots participates as a CDFI member.
- Responsible FinancekeyIndustry body for community finance. Purple Shoots is a member and participated in Taskforce launch alongside banks and government.
- eBay Start-Up Scale-Up ProgrammesupportingProgramme helping new businesses establish online presence. Ben Taylor (MothWing) joined this programme after receiving Purple Shoots support.
- KaleidosupportingNew partner for SRG delivery in Yorkshire region.
- ITV Cymru WalessupportingVideo content partnership. Some Purple Shoots story videos used with kind permission of ITV Cymru Wales.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Purple Shoots competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Responsible Finance: UK industry body representing community finance providers, of which Purple Shoots is a member — relevant as a sector ecosystem and policy advocate rather than a direct competitor, shaping the regulatory and policy environment in which Purple Shoots operates.
Direct peers
- Robert Owen Community Banking: Welsh community banking initiative offering zero-interest loans to those at risk of loan sharks — Purple Shoots' explicit partner on the Zero Interest Loan Scheme and a direct peer in community finance lending.
- Moneyline: UK responsible finance provider offering small personal loans and credit union support to financially excluded customers — comparable loan size, customer segment, and community-finance positioning.
- Foundation East: UK CDFI providing start-up loans and enterprise support in the East of England to people who cannot access mainstream finance — comparable CDFI mission, FCA-regulated lending, and geographic specialization.
- Fredericks Foundation: UK charity providing small loans and business mentoring to people excluded from mainstream finance — a near-identical model to Purple Shoots in terms of customer segment, loan size, and wraparound support.
- SWIG Finance: South West Investment Group, a UK CDFI providing small business loans (typically £500–£50,000) to start-ups and SMEs unable to access mainstream finance — directly comparable business model, geography overlap, and FCA-regulated CDFI status.
- Business Enterprise Fund: UK CDFI focused on Start Up Loans and small business lending in the North of England, serving entrepreneurs who cannot access mainstream finance — comparable mission, product, and FCA-regulated lending activity.
Broad incumbents
- Big Issue Invest: The social investment arm of The Big Issue, providing loans and investment to social enterprises and excluded entrepreneurs — broader social-finance incumbent with overlapping mission but larger balance sheet and product range.
- Prince's Trust: Major UK youth charity providing enterprise programme support and start-up loans to young people — comparable target demographic (disadvantaged entrepreneurs) and lending-plus-mentoring model, but at significantly larger scale and broader scope.
Emerging players
- Plend: UK fintech using open-banking affordability assessment to lend to thin-file and excluded borrowers — Purple Shoots' technology partner for affordability scoring and an emerging competitor targeting the same customer segment with a digital-first model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Purple Shoots social profiles
Digital presencePurple Shoots compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Purple Shoots financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Purple Shoots leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Purple Shoots funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Purple Shoots M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Purple Shoots
What does Purple Shoots do?
Purple Shoots is a UK-registered charity and Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) that provides small affordable business loans of £500 to £3,000 at 14.5% interest to people excluded from mainstream finance. It operates Self-Reliant Groups (peer-based community savings and support groups) across Wales and parts of England, and wraps loans with mentoring, the Zero Interest Loan Scheme, "Why Not?" courses, and a Community Investment Tax Relief (CITR) investment programme.
Is Purple Shoots a public or private company?
Purple Shoots is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Purple Shoots founded?
Purple Shoots was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Purple Shoots based?
Purple Shoots is headquartered in Cardiff, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Purple Shoots make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Loan Interest Income is the primary driver. The others are community Investment Tax Relief (CITR) Investment Programme, donations and corporate Partnership Fees.
Who are Purple Shoots's main competitors?
Responsible Finance is listed as an others. Direct peers are Robert Owen Community Banking, Moneyline, Foundation East, Fredericks Foundation, SWIG Finance and Business Enterprise Fund. Broad incumbents are Big Issue Invest and Prince's Trust. Plend is listed as an emerging player.
Does Purple Shoots have an API?
No public API is recorded for Purple Shoots.
What industry is Purple Shoots in?
Purple Shoots's product category is Microfinance. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAA, Impact Investing & Social Finance (Funds, CDFIs, Microfinance), with a secondary code of FSAKAHAD, Microfinance & Community P2P Lending. Its NAICS code is 81321.