National investment group Mercia Technologies PLC is pleased to announce that it is partnering with Digital Catapult's Augmentor programme to support early stage immersive technology companies from across the UK regions.

British Business Investments, the commercial arm of the British Business Bank, launches a new £500m Managed Funds Programme designed to increase access to longer-term venture and growth capital for ambitious and innovative, high potential companies in the UK.

Announced six months ago by the Chancellor at the Autumn Budget, the new Managed Funds programme will invest in large-scale funds of funds, run by experienced managers, to boost the amount of patient capital available to the UK’s high-growth businesses.

Patrick Bradley, founder of Station 12, a specialist venture capital investor in media, entertainment and knowledge, discusses why UK’s creative industries will continue to thrive beyond Brexit.

The digital platform which has been specifically designed to help coaches and players deliver professional football coaching content set for growth following investment. NPIF Maven Equity Finance, alongside consortium of investors led by ex-England football international, Danny Mills, have invested £775,000 in the football digital platform provider, The Coaching Manual.

A doctor who has created an innovative software program to reduce waiting times in A&E has secured a £153,000 investment from NPIF - Mercia Equity Finance, which is managed by Mercia Fund Managers and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.

NorthInvest’s Board Director John Fisher has been instrumental to the set up of the Grow MedTech Partnership. 

App commerce company Poq has announced the completion of a £9.5 million Series B funding round, led by Smedvig Capital, with significant participation from long-term investor Beringea and additional investment from existing investor Revolt Ventures. This round brings the total amount raised by Poq so far to £16.5 million.

To support Eagle Genomics’ growth plans, the company has raised $1m within 3 weeks of the launch of its latest investment round, in a first close.

Ashfords has been ranked as one of the most active law firms globally in venture capital deals for first quarter of 2018 according to PitchBook. The annual global league table provides a comprehensive ranking of private equity and venture capital (VC) activity worldwide.

Top Tips from Episode 1 Ventures on how to make your pitch hit the right note with potential investors.  Part 1 – The pitch deck. 

Quilam Capital, which provides both debt and equity solutions to companies in the speciality finance sector, has announced its fifth deal since it launched late last year. 

BondMason has raised £1.85 million to drive the growth of the business and fulfil the company’s vision to enable more investors to access returns from direct lending.

The direct lending market in the UK is continuing to come-of-age, offering investors the potential to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns with lower volatility compared to equity capital markets. This was marked by another record year of growth for direct lending in 2017.