Rocking Horse & Nighthawk Partner to Unlock Smarter Funding at Scale

wt0721
Oct 7
2 min read

At Nighthawk, our mission has always been to back ambitious companies with the capital structures they need to scale. Today, we’re proud to announce a new strategic partnership with Rocking Horse Group, expanding our reach and capability to deliver smarter, non-dilutive funding to high-growth businesses in the UK.

Together, we’re creating a step-change in how scaling companies can access capital: faster, more flexible, and designed around the realities of growth.

Why This Partnership Matters

Scaling companies in the UK face a familiar challenge. Traditional capital routes, another equity round or restrictive bank debt don't always fit the pace of growth. Founders need:

Cash in the door quickly to keep projects moving
Complex structuring that adapts to their growth journey
Options beyond equity to avoid unnecessary dilution

That’s where this partnership comes in.

Rocking Horse has a proven track record in unlocking R&D tax credits, grant advances, and project-based loans. Nighthawk brings deep structuring expertise, global capital reach, and the ability to build facilities that match the scale of ambitious founders.

What’s New with Nighthawk x Rocking Horse

This collaboration expands what’s possible for innovative UK SMEs:

More complex deal structuresBlended finance, multi-tranche facilities, and tailored capital strategies aligned to growth plans.
Longer funding horizonsFrom short-term bridge capital to multi-year facilities - built around the business, not the rebate timeline.
Broader support for scaleFrom early-stage innovators to revenue-stage and VC-backed companies, we can now support a wider range of growth stories.

Introducing Venture Debt

One of the most exciting outcomes of this partnership is the introduction of venture debt into Rocking Horse’s toolkit.

For VC-backed or revenue-stage businesses, venture debt provides:

Facilities from £1m to £5m+
Fast deployment to extend runway and fuel growth
A complement to equity, not a replacement
The ability to scale while maintaining ownership

Smarter, Non-Dilutive Funding

Together, Nighthawk and Rocking Horse give founders a new level of confidence and flexibility. Whether it’s unlocking capital from R&D claims, bringing forward grant proceeds, or structuring tailored venture debt, we’re delivering capital that grows with the business and not against it.

About Rocking Horse

Rocking Horse helps innovative companies unlock capital faster, without equity dilution. Their products include R&D Tax Credit Loans, Innovation Grant Advances, and non-dilutive growth loans designed to keep businesses moving at pace.

About Nighthawk

Nighthawk is a global venture and growth funding partner specialising in flexible, structured capital solutions. With a presence across multiple markets, Nighthawk partners with ambitious businesses and advisory firms to unlock the capital needed for scale.

For more information on how this partnership can support your next stage of growth, get in touch here. .