Europe has returned to a ‘buyer-friendly’ environment, after the COVID-19 pandemic created more risk-averse attitudes. 

Following the publication of its Springboard to Recovery report, NatWest has relaunched its Enterprise programme to boost its support for scale-up businesses, as well as climate, fintech, and B-Corp focussed businesses. The free programme is open to applications from all UK SMEs from today, for businesses who will join the programme in June. 

Ingenious has announced that Ingenious Real Estate Finance LLP has completed two new loans totalling £12.8 million to fund new residential development projects in North Devon and the Cotswolds.

Skin & Tonic, a skincare and wellbeing brand founded in Hackney, London, has secured £830,000 in funding, enabling it to fulfil increased production demands and expand its operations to Manchester. Driven by GC Angels, this includes a £605,000 investment from the angel investment service alongside private investors, as well as a £225,000 loan from NPIF – FW Capital, managed by FW Capital and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF). 

A company whose technology can detect subsidence from satellite data has secured £1.5m from NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance, which is managed by Mercia and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, and the Government’s Future Fund.  The latest funding round comes as Leeds-based SatSense is about to launch its new online platform which will be the first to give engineers and other professionals instant access to up-to-date information on ground movements at sites throughout the UK and beyond.

Circularity Capital LLP has announced a follow-on investment in consumer technology subscriptions expert Grover. Coming as part of the company’s €60m Series B funding round, the commitment will support Grover in its ambitions of tripling subscriptions before the end of the year and driving an industry shift toward a more circular approach to consumer electronics.

The Baronsmead Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs), managed by Gresham House, have successfully raised £65m this year. 

Visit Funding Page for more information.

CFE Finance, Investment Banking boutique specialised in niche credit strategies and trade finance, strengthens its team in the United Kingdom with two new senior

YFM Equity Partners (YFM) is continuing to expand its team with the appointment of Tiffany Young as investment manager, based at its London office.

Ensono, a leading hybrid IT services provider, and KKR, a leading global investment firm, has announced that KKR has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ensono from Charlesbank Capital Partners and M/C Partners. The new investment follows multiple years of strong performance by Ensono, including robust growth in 2020 and its recently completed acquisition of Amido, a UK-based cloud native consultancy.

Haatch Ventures quietly launched their first SEIS Fund in March, with a target raise of £1.5m.  This figure was reached within 2 weeks, and the fund closed at the end of the tax year on £2.1m.