BGF has appointed Roshni Bandesha to the role of head of ESG and Sustainability. In her role at BGF, Roshni will be responsible for embedding its sustainability strategy and integrating ESG within new and existing portfolio companies. 

A radical overhaul of business education is coming as some of the world’s most influential investors and business leaders from the world of tech, entrepreneurship and education, invest £1.5million ($2million) in Framework, the world’s first on-demand business school.

Tech startups are the engine of economic growth worldwide, generating nearly $3 trillion in value. These companies are giving rise to a new generation of modern professionals who want to continuously learn and grow but are disenchanted with outdated professional development schemes and traditional business school education. Framework is changing the game by bringing them a mobile-first social learning solution, designed uniquely for them. 

Oxford University, through Oxford Universtiy Innovation has created 31 new companies over the past year, setting a new record for company creation at the University. In addition, Oxford companies have raised over £1.1bn during this period, a 29% increase from 2020's previous record.

ARIE Capital has launched its new ARIE Tech EIS Fund. The ARIE Capital Group is a significant tech investor, with £500 million of assets under management.

The new EIS fund is technoology based but has some notable differences from other EIS tech funds in the market.

A Wellingborough-based paper honeycomb board manufacturer has secured £750,000 to expand its product range, create jobs and enter new markets.  The Alternative Pallet Company Ltd who trade as PALLITE® received funding from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) provided by The FSE Group Debt Finance Fund and backed by the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS). The MEIF funding will help to create 15 new jobs in the next year, with the ability to offer apprenticeships to the under-25s.

Guinness Enterprise Centre (GEC), a top global incubator in the heart of Dublin City – in the presence of Leo Varadkar TD, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment – has launched its new 100,000 sq ft space following a €10M expansion project. A €1M phase two investment has now been announced and will commence immediately. Due to strong demand, the GEC has already committed 80% of its additional capacity to start-ups and expects to be at full capacity by early 2022.

Foresight Group, a listed private equity and infrastructure investment manager, has made a £749,000 growth capital investment into TMAC, using equity finance from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) as part of a c.£1.5 million funding  round.

Founded in 2018 by Jimmy Hosang and Sean Northam, TMAC is a rapidly growing contact centre software solutions company. Based in Manchester and with significant operations across the Midlands, TMAC’s proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning software drives efficiency, reduces costs and improves results for large contact centres primarily in the insurance, retail and banking sectors. 

Global co-investment platform Shojin Property Partners has secured the junior funding element of a £7m student accommodation scheme in Leicester.

Maven Capital Partners has led a £2.1 million investment in FodaBox (formerly BoroughBox), a provider of logistical services to over 1,400 independent food and drink brands.

The investment comprises £1.5 million from Maven’s VCTs alongside £600,000 from angel investors. This will enable the business to expand its operations, open a third warehouse, develop its software and analytical tools further, and launch its own private-label products.

A London-based entrepreneur has launched SQI, a brand new e-commerce clothing startup. The company, which champions multi-use, diverse, and sustainable winter jackets, aims to break into the fashion, sportswear, and skiwear industries, bridging the fashion gap between the mountains and city life.

Clutch Space Systems (CSS) has signed up to the SPRINT business support programme to design, develop and test an experimental prototype of an innovative digitally-controlled antenna system. SPRINT will provide CSS with funded access to expertise from the University of Surrey 5G and 6G Innovation Centres for a major project that will enable smarter and more efficient communications for low earth orbit (LEO) satellites.

Female Invest, an EdTech platform and community which, through approachable subscription-based e-learning, empowers women by increasing their understanding of personal finance and investing. Female Invest has members across 67 countries (with the UK being the fastest growing market) and an online community of 150,000+ women.