Edinburgh-based Reactec, has repurposed its proven system for monitoring workers’ exposure to health risk to create “Safedistance”, which enables employers to manage the social distancing of their workforce within construction, rail, manufacturing and other workplaces.

The transformation of a Victorian railway building into an entertainment and business complex is nearing completion having secured a £2.9 million investment from the Development Bank of Wales.

The UK Creative Content EIS Fund has invested in Maze Theory, a digital entertainment studio focusing on the creation and development of immersive entertainment experiences across multiple platforms, including Virtual Reality (VR), PC, Console and Mobile. 

Maze Theory established its reputation with the launch of its first VR game - Doctor Who ‘The Edge of Time’, which launched in November 2019 for PlayStation (PSVR) and Oculus Rift headsets, before also launching on Oculus Quest headsets in January 2020. VR gaming has become more accessible given the advances in technology, alongside the availability of low, medium and high-end devices. The market is scaling rapidly, with significant growth experienced in both hardware and software. 

Financial firms need to adopt a digital-focussed working environment if they want to survive beyond current lockdowns, says Arches Capital. The Amsterdam-based Business Angels believe that strong technological foundations and connectivity have been among the main reasons why they have been able to support their members and the Dutch start-up ecosystem amid current social and economic uncertainty.

eFront, the leading financial software and solutions provider dedicated to Alternative Investments, has published its latest Quarterly Private Equity Performance report, showing that private equity funds globally maintained a high level of performance throughout 2019, as the industry enjoyed benign economic conditions and a late-cycle phase. The consequences of the Covid-19-induced economic slowdown are yet to be reflected in the figures.

Insulation and fire protection expert Aran Services has secured £1.5 million in working capital from Independent Growth Finance (IGF). The funds, which were raised using invoice discounting, were used to support the recent MBO and to provide working capital to support the continued growth of the business.

Blackfinch Group has launched the #ISOLATIONINTERN platform in partnership with investment industry firms and universities to enable specialist talent acquisition under Covid 19 Restrictions. The initiative aims to supercharge early stage companies and help keep this vital sector of the economy on track.

Countingup, the business current account that automates your accounting, has received the backing of leading fintech investors. The London-based startup has raised £4m in a bridge round of financing led by ING Ventures with co-investment from Triple Point, CVentures and BiG Start Ventures.  All are backing the company’s vision to be the one financial hub for 1m small businesses. In the two years since Countingup launched, it now boasts more than twenty thousand customers and has processed almost £1bn in transactions.

Business angel syndicates in Scotland participated in deals which invested over £100m in young entrepreneurial companies in the financial year to end March 2020.

BGF has exited Direct Online Services (‘DOS’), the UK’s leading ecommerce retailer of kitchen worktops, following an acquisition by Broadview Holding. DOS will continue its successful growth strategy and European expansion, following several years of high growth. 

A new survey by Intertrust, a global leader in providing tech-enabled fund and corporate solutions, 

StaffCircle, a communications, performance and culture platform that enables companies to manage employees across many locations, has raised new funds from investors including Blackfinch and Mercia. Blackfinch has invested around £670,000 with additional investment from Mercia Asset Management.