A venture capital fund in the Republic has said it hopes a new €135m (£116m) fund can be used to support some SMEs in Northern Ireland.
MML Growth Capital Partners Ireland has already supported Lowe Rental in Lisburn and Ashdale Care, based in Co Tyrone.
It provides growth capital to SMEs for purposes including expansion, acquisitions and management buyouts.
In 2018, catering rentals company Lowe Rental sold a majority share to Perwyn in London for £60m in one of NI s biggest private equity deals.
The deal with Perwyn was done after MML realised its investment in Lowe Rental, made in 2014. Its interest in Ashdale, which provides specialist residential care to young people and is based in Ballygawley, is still active.