Intertrust, a global leader in providing expert administrative services to clients operating and investing in the international business environment, interviewed private equity professionals across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia to identify the value-add delivered by new technologies now and in the future.

Female start-up founders are missing out on billions of pounds of investment, new research has found.  The UK VC & Female Founders report found that for every £1 of venture capital investment in the UK, all-female founder teams get less than 1p. By comparison, all-male founder teams get 89p and mixed-gender teams get the remaining 10p.

The research, commissioned by Chancellor Philip Hammond at Budget 2017 and undertaken by the British Business Bank, together with Diversity VC and BVCA, identifies specific barriers faced by female-led firms in accessing venture capital. It will help inform ongoing government work to tackle these barriers and boost the untapped economic potential of businesses. The report will be launched during a reception for leading businesswomen and the venture capital community at No11 Downing Street and hosted by Treasury ministers.

Beauhurst's latest edition of The Deal 2018 shows that deal numbers dropped from 1,744 in 2017 to 1,572 in 2018, and amount invested fell from £8.6b to £7b respectively. But this figure is still well up on previous years, and the decline could be interpreted as a "correction" from the unprecedented levels seen in 2017.

Despite the overall downturn, crowdfunding platforms continue to grow with a record year in terms of deal numbers. 

Download the report here 

State Street Global Exchange has released the results of the State Street Investor Confidence Index® (ICI) for January  2019.  

AI is already being implemented in businesses around the world, and while worries persist over whether robots will be taking over the workplace, some are predicting that it will actually improve and even create jobs in the future.

From devices in our homes to mobile apps, AI has already made its way into our daily lives. The workplace is no exception and AI has already helped businesses make better use of data and streamline processes. According to John Williams, Head of Marketing at Instant Offices here are a few AI trends you should be aware of for your business:

Over a quarter (27%) of business leaders are expecting revenues to grow by more than 10 percent in 2019, according to a new report by Independent Growth Finance (IGF), the leading independent asset based lender.  

Despite undeniable uncertainty in the economy, IGF’s Powering Freedom Report finds that British businesses turning over between £1 million and £500 million remain ‘bullish’ about the future. Nine in ten company leaders have concerns over Brexit yet they remain optimistic about opportunities in the year ahead. In fact seven in ten (69%) companies expect an increase in revenues.  

Last July, Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies raised $10m in equity finance. This was a significant moment in the UK’s investment scene, representing the first equity investment into a medicinal marijuana startup in nearly two decades (since GW Pharmaceuticals listed on the AIM in 2001).

This 4th episode of Series 3 of The GrowthInvest Adviser Hour explores the wider drivers behind the growing popularity of “alternatives”, 

Milltrust International, the award-winning investment group, has highlighted the commercial potential of spinout companies from the UK’s leading universities at its Science & Technology Day in London.

Angel Investment Network (AIN), the UK’s largest and first online angel investment network has revealed its first ‘State of the Angel Investment Nation’ findings. Based on the data of more than 100,000 businesses and 30,000 investors, it reveals a detailed picture of the angel investment landscape in the UK.  

Private equity chief financial officers (CFOs) reported another year of unprecedented growth of their firms but are still struggling to overcome operational issues that are dramatically eroding their margins, according to the EY 2019 Global Private Equity Survey, How do you see the opportunity in your obstacles?

The sixth annual survey of 103 private equity (PE) CFOs finds that despite great strides in launching new products and investing in technological solutions, expenses continue to grow as fast as assets. The survey also found that while CFOs begin to prioritize the cost-effective and competitive advantage of outsourcing to boost their bottom lines, they are acutely aware of the talent necessary to grow their firms.

“CFOs face different paths for altering their operational infrastructure and achieving sustainable growth,” said Denise Davidson, Associate Partner, Wealth and Asset Management, EY. “Determining the right balance of technology, talent and outsourcing is not a one-size-fits-all approach. While CFOs are divided on which path is the best fit for their aspirational goals, one thing is certain: they must act quickly to achieve a competitive edge.”

Alastair George, Chief Investment Strategist at Edison Investment Research discusses his outlook for 2019 in the attached strategy note.