HMRC released the National Statistics for EIS, SEIS and SITR for October 2017.  Read our Leader Article for more on the EIS Statistics

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The equity investment market over the past few quarters has been giving us some cause for concern. The amount being invested each quarter was stubbornly staying well below the peak at the beginning of 2016. Last quarter we saw the amount of investment rocket up to an all-time record, but we were worried that this was a flash in the pan – the chance result of a few mega-deals. This quarter nearly matched that amount of investment and saw a record number of deals, both of which are a cause for celebration.

This growth has mostly been fed by investment at the late stage of the market, and especially by mega-deals (£50m+). We view this as a very positive sign that the UK can support the growth of startups beyond the early stage. The long-held view that the UK funding environment does not have the capital to support these deals may no longer apply.

The UK ecosystem (and especially the London tech scene) has produced companies capable drawing the big bucks from further afield than before. The UK is in the spotlight on the international stage right now but so far foreign investors like what they see, regularly getting involved in these mega-deals.

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78% of private equity investors expect General Partners (GPs) to increase their focus on managing Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)considerations in their portfolios over the next two years, according to a new study by Intertrust, a leading global provider of high-value fund, trust and corporate services.

The Association of Investment Companies (AIC) has released research to show private investors which are the most cost-effective platforms for holding and transacting investment company shares.

• Research conducted by the lang cat shows significant differences between cheapest and most expensive platforms
• 26 direct-to-consumer platforms covered including Hargreaves Lansdown, AJ Bell Youinvest and Fidelity Personal Investing

Nearly two thirds (63%) of small businesses are looking to big data to benefit their business, according to research by Smith & Williamson, the accountancy, investment management and tax group.

Startup founders should be prepared to put their money where their mouths are if they want to secure investment from business angels, according to research from University of Edinburgh Business School and the University of Glasgow’s Adam Smith Business School. In a study of more than 100 UK established investors – often known as business angels – 87% said they would find it too risky to back an entrepreneur who had not made a significant financial investment in their own venture.

Dealmaking appetite in Europe has seen a swift turnaround following the shock of last year’s Brexit vote, according to the fifth edition of the European M&A Outlook, published by CMS in association with Mergermarket.

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While you were away, summer came and summer went, and the story of constant progress of the European tech investment market continues.

The Headline Transactions Index (HTI) continues to plough on, and similarly the Scaleup Index (focused on €5-100m financings) is progressing too. Year-to-date the overall market nearly doubled in number of transactions, and increased by more than 50% in value. Within that, the market for mega rounds (≥€100m) exploded (doubled in size and value – and pulling the whole of the market with it), and activity at the early-stage continued unabated. Comparatively, the Scaleup segment progressed less, with a 50% increase in number, but only a 33% progression by value.

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An international study by specialist global insurer Hiscox reveals a confident tone among small businesses, with two-thirds (67%) reporting revenue growth and more than seven out of ten (71%) expanding their customer base in the past year. US and Spanish firms top the revenue growth tables. By contrast, in the UK there is a modest decline in the numbers reporting revenue growth.

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PWC’s latest Moneytree report from Q2 2017 shows a worldwide trend towards more money going into private tech companies, driven by the US and Asia.

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Go4Venture's June Bulletin showed the continuing upward trend from the past few months For the first half of 2017, the European Headline Transaction Index (HTI) is 75% up by value, driven in particular by larger mega transactions (≥€100m). Scaleups (€5-100m) are also up more than 50% by number and close to 30% by value.

Download the full June Bulletin HERE

27 July 

Nearly four out five entrepreneurs are predicting growth over the next 12 months according to the latest Enterprise Index research by Smith & Williamson. However, it also reveals that expectations for the wider economy have plummeted with just over a third expectingn the economy to improve over the coming year, down from 50% in the previous quarter.

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