Silicon Valley Bank UK Branch (SVB), the bank of the world’s most innovative companies and their investors, has appointed Patrick Flynn as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for UK and EMEA. Based in London, Patrick will be responsible for managing the bank’s operations, client service, technology and vendor management for SVB in the UK and across Europe. He will report to Erin Platts, Head of EMEA and President of the SVB UK Branch.

Over £64.8 million has been invested into 257 businesses by the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), with new data revealing its regional impact just released.  The £250 million Fund, which was launched by the Government’s British Business Bank in 2017 to support small businesses in the Midlands, has helped to create 629 jobs, with 37 per cent paying above the UK upper quartile salary of £36,500 a year.

The new data has been released as part of an Early Assessment Report which charts the Midlands Engine Investment Fund’s progress between August 2017 and September 2019.

Expert cycle insurance provider Bikmo has secured its first venture capital funding of £1.8 million (Series A funding). The investment is led by Development Bank of Wales, alongside specialist global insurer Hiscox plus existing and new angel investors.  Part of the £1 million equity and loan investment by the Development Bank of Wales is enabling Bikmo to move into new premises in Flintshire. The award-winning adventure sports insurance provider Bikmo also has offices in Innsbruck, Austria and will relocate the UK head office to Flintshire as soon as Covid-19 lockdown restrictions will allow.

Meals for the NHS, a non-profit organisation set up to provide meals to hospital workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, 

Port Talbot-based Hybrisan has joined the fight against the Covid 19 pandemic having secured £500,000 equity investment from the Development Bank of Wales, private investors and a Smart Cymru grant from the Welsh Government. Hybrisan manufacture liquid sanitiser and use advanced nanotechnology to produce highly advanced material, impregnated with the liquid sanitiser for use in high quality personal protective equipment (PPE) for the NHS and other frontline workers. The liquid sanitiser developed by Hybrisan is 99.999% effective in killing coronavirus without alcohol, even on surfaces.

Clim8 Invest, the app that offers everyone the opportunity to have a positive impact on climate change through sustainable investment, has raised £1.5 million in pre-launch crowdfunding from 1420 investors in over 55 countries. This exceeds its crowdfunding target by more than 300% and makes it one of 2020’s most successful raises on the Crowdcube platform.

Maven Capital Partners has completed a £1 million investment in Boiler Plan (UK) Ltd, a market disruptive online platform that sells, installs and services boilers across the UK.

The transaction includes a £600,000 investment from the Maven VCTs and a further £400,000 investment from the North East Development Capital Fund, supported by the European Regional Development Fund and managed by Maven.

Blackfinch Group has launched Blackfinch Asset Management, offering adviser firms expanded capabilities and increased support. The new division will replace Blackfinch Wealth and house Blackfinch’s managed portfolio service (MPS), formerly known as the Blackfinch Wealth MPS. This is alongside further offerings to be announced shortly.  

Private equity and venture capital fundraising hit €109 billion, up 6% in 2019, and the highest total over a decade, according to new data from Invest Europe. In parallel, the total equity amount invested in European companies increased 10% year-on-year to €94 billion in 2019, the highest level on investment ever recorded.

Parabellum Investments, an international investment firm specialising in the mid-market, has teamed with operational investors The Acacia Group to acquire The Column Group.

A leading Welsh medtech company has received significant equity funding  The Development Bank of Wales and Wealth Club to develop the digital element of a new rapid test to support authorities fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

Cardiff-based Bond Digital Health is part of an international consortium that is producing a diagnostic test for patients suspected of having Covid-19. The consortium was set up by Canadian company Sona Nanotech Inc. and includes GE Healthcare Life Sciences.

A London based, food brand, has secured a £600,000 expansion loan from The Greater London Investment Fund. Adonis, an exciting, young brand in the health foods sector, aims to create a new generation of snacks that are: keto, plant based and low sugar.