Birmingham-based Threewise Entertainment has secured £100,000 in funding through BCRS Business Loans to expand its business into the lucrative licensing market, as it announces the return of beloved British children’s character, Bagpuss.  

The investment from the Community Investment Enterprise Fund (CIEF) and Midlands Engine Investment Fund II (MEIF II) has enabled Threewise Entertainment to expand the business beyond traditional film and television production into the £116Bn annual entertainment and characters licensing sector. 

Founded in 2020 by Midlands-native Michael Ford, Threewise Entertainment is an independent kids and family production company. The company has already created programming for major broadcasters, including ‘Rock Island Mysteries’ for Nickelodeon, which was nominated for a 2025 Australian Logie Award for ‘Best Children’s Programme’ alongside kid’s animation favourite, Bluey. 

The appointment of Threewise Entertainment as the Official Heritage Licensing Partner for Bagpuss represents a significant milestone for the company. Originally created by Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin, the beloved pink and cream striped cloth cat first appeared on BBC television in 1974 and remains one of Britain’s most cherished children’s characters. Simultaneously, Threewise Entertainment is now developing a big screen feature film adaptation that will bring Bagpuss to cinema audiences for the first time, with the company set to become the Legacy Production Studio for the planned motion picture. 

The funding has also enabled the company to strengthen its leadership team with former executives from Hasbro and Disney, and opportunities to expand internationally with investor and co-founder, Luna Luo, supporting the company with her local knowledge for expansion across the East Asian market. 

The global kids and family market represents a significant growth opportunity, with licensed merchandise sales reaching £280 billion in 2024, of which character-based products account for 41.4% of the market, demonstrating the substantial potential for Threewise Entertainment. 

The company will utilise some of the funds to invest in its upcoming exhibition at the Brand Licensing Europe show at the Excel in London on October 7-9, where it will reveal its first official licensee since taking over as both licensing partner and production company for Bagpuss. 

Michael Ford, Founder and Director of Threewise Entertainment, said:

“The support from BCRS Business Loans has been transformative for our business. They understood our vision as a storytelling company and provided funding at the perfect time. This investment has enabled us to enter the character licensing market and will support us in bringing one of Britain’s most beloved children’s characters back to screens for a new generation.” 

Mark Savill BCRS Business Loans Business Development Manager said:

“Threewise Entertainment represents exactly the kind of creative enterprise we’re proud to support in the West Midlands. Their expansion into licensing shows real business acumen and we’re excited to see what the future holds.” 

Beth Bannister, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, said:

“We’re thrilled to see Threewise Entertainment securing vital funding, enabling expansion into the global market. The company’s appointment as the official heritage licensing partner for Bagpuss marks a major step forward, not just for the company, but for the wider Midlands creative economy.  

“This is a prime example of how the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II can help unlock potential, create jobs, and help growing businesses like Threewise scale both nationally and internationally.”      

Chris Sood-Nicholls, Managing Director, Regional Development Sustainability & ESG Finance, of Lloyds Banking Group, said:

“Small businesses power local economies. That’s why we’re supporting the £62 million Community Investment Enterprise Fund and working with Community Development Finance Institutions to extend finance to firms that mainstream lending can’t always reach. We’re pleased to see funding already being deployed across the West Midlands, with Birmingham‑based Threewise Entertainment benefitting via BCRS Business Loans. We’ll continue to work with partners so that more SMEs can invest, grow and create jobs in the region.” 

Chris Jamieson, Head of Investments at Social Investment Scotland, said:

“As fund manager for the Community Investment Enterprise Fund, we are delighted to support Threewise Entertainment’s growth into the licensing sector and to play a part in bringing Bagpuss back to life for a new generation. This investment demonstrates how accessible finance can help creative businesses like Threewise unlock new opportunities and make a positive economic and social contribution to their local communities.” 

BCRS Business Loans provides funding between £25,000 and £250,000 to SMEs across the West Midlands and Wales who are unable to access the finance they need from traditional sources. The organisation is committed to lending to viable businesses making a positive contribution to the social, environmental or economic wellbeing of their communities. 

The new £62 million Community Investment Enterprise Fund, funded by Lloyds along with social impact investor Better Society Capital and contributions from participating Community Development Financial Institutions, aims to invest in 800 small businesses nationally and support 10,500 jobs. 

The Midlands Engine Investment Fund II drives sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the Midlands. The Midlands Engine Investment Fund II will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for smaller businesses in the Midlands, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance. 

BCRS Business Loans recently celebrated delivering £6.2m in loans to 75 companies in total, creating 208 jobs and protecting a further 730 roles while generating £32m in added economic value for the West Midlands and Wales. With BCRS Business Loans focussing on firms under-represented in traditional lending, 31 per cent of the SMEs were female-led. 

In the last financial year, lending through BCRS Business Loans resulted in the safeguarding of 889 jobs and creation of 317 roles while adding £51.2m to the economy of the West Midlands, surrounding region and Wales. Of the funding, 34.6 per cent went to the UK’s most disadvantaged areas.