IP-Backed Loans in the UK: £250K–£10M Against Your IP
UK banks and specialist lenders now offer structured loan programmes secured against intellectual property. This guide covers the major programmes, eligibility requirements, loan terms, and how to prepare your IP portfolio for a successful application.
What Is IP-Backed Lending?
IP-backed lending is a form of asset-based finance where intellectual property — patents, trademarks, registered designs, copyrights, and software — is used as collateral to secure a loan. The lender takes a security interest in the IP, which can be enforced if the borrower defaults.
Unlike venture debt or revenue-based financing, IP-backed lending is secured against the assessed value of specific assets, not against future revenue projections. This makes it accessible to profitable, IP-rich businesses that may not fit traditional VC-backed lending criteria.
UK lending against IP has developed through government policy (the IPO’s IP finance toolkit of 2015 and its 2018 research with the British Business Bank), bank programmes (NatWest since January 2024, the Royal Bank of Scotland since June 2026), and increasing recognition that intangible assets represent the majority of enterprise value.
For how lenders assess and size these loans, with a worked example, read our full guide to IP-backed lending.
IP Types Accepted as Collateral
Different types of intellectual property have different collateral characteristics. Registered rights with identifiable revenue streams are the strongest collateral.
Patents
Registered patents with active claims, particularly those generating licensing revenue. Our calculator assumes 35–50% LTV; lender terms vary.
Trademarks & Brand
Registered trademarks with established market recognition and attributable revenue. Brand portfolios with multi-territory registration. Our calculator assumes 25–40% LTV; lender terms vary.
Software & SaaS
Proprietary software with recurring subscription revenue. Requires source code escrow and clear ownership documentation. Our calculator assumes 25–40% LTV; lender terms vary.
UK IP-Backed Lending Programmes Compared
The following table compares UK lending programmes that use intellectual property in the lending decision, using each lender’s own published material. Terms change and vary by lender; confirm them with the lender.
| Lender | Loan Range | Maximum Advance | Term | IP Types Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NatWest High Growth IP loan (England and Wales) | From £250K | Up to 50% of the IP value in the independent Inngot valuation | Confirm with the lender | Software, patents, copyright, trademarks, registered designs |
| Royal Bank of Scotland (Scotland, since June 2026) | £250K–£10M | Up to 50% of the IP’s orderly disposal value | Confirm with the lender | IP valued by Inngot |
| HSBC UK Growth Lending | Up to £15M (2022 launch) | Not published; IP evaluation is part of the credit assessment | Confirm with the lender | IP and technology-rich scale-ups |
| British Business Bank | Not a direct lender | £500M of ENABLE Guarantee capacity for lending to IP-rich firms (July 2026) | Through participating lenders | Terms vary by lender |
| Specialist venture debt | Terms vary by lender | Terms vary by lender | Confirm with the lender | Usually within a wider facility |
IP-Backed Lending Case Studies
Loans NatWest has published under its High Growth IP loan.
Shade Station — £1.35M
Manchester online eyewear retailer secured £1.35M using its proprietary software and registered trademarks as collateral, valued by Inngot, to fund international expansion and new e-commerce and smart eyewear platforms (NatWest, February 2026).
Sci-Net — £700K
Oxfordshire software company Sci-Net Business Solutions took the first loan under the programme, £700K against IP valued by Inngot, to grow its customer base and develop its ERP software (NatWest, 2024).
How Opagio Prepares You for an IP-Backed Loan
Lenders decide against evidence. Opagio's lending line builds it in two steps.
IP Audit
Identification, valuation and evidence grading of your intangible assets. Standard price £995+VAT; currently by waitlist.
Collateral Pack
The audit assembled for a specific lender: ownership, encumbrance, valuation, evidence grade and a suitability rating per asset. The first pack is included with the IP Audit; further bank-specific packs are £295+VAT.
Beyond IP: Other Intangible Assets as Collateral
Intellectual property is the most established form of intangible collateral, but the market is expanding. Brand equity, proprietary data, customer relationships, and software are increasingly accepted by specialist lenders. Our Intangible Asset Lending hub covers the full spectrum of intangible asset lending.
Explore all intangible asset lending →Related Resources
NatWest IP Loans Guide
Detailed guide to the NatWest IP-backed lending programme with eligibility, process, and case studies.
IP Loan Eligibility Check
Self-assessment tool to check whether your IP portfolio qualifies for IP-backed lending.
Relief-from-Royalty Method
The valuation methodology most commonly used in IP-backed lending applications.
Find out what your IP is worth
Opagio Intangibles values your IP and the other intangible assets lenders assess. The first step towards IP-backed finance.