BGF has experienced a year of growth across its Yorkshire and North East portfolio, having invested £275m into 29 businesses to date to support the region’s most ambitious entrepreneurs in the Yorkshire and North East with £41m of that total invested in the past 12 months.

Blackfinch has invested c.£500,000 in London-based company Auro, founded in 2016. Auro offers a fitness app that provides its users with tailored audio-based workouts.  

The Artificial Intelligence-driven app has over 65,000 users. Since launch the company has generated traction and revenue through its partner strategy, already securing partnerships with tier-1 companies such as O2 and Wiggle on the strength of its initial product.

Edinburgh-based biotech startup MiAlgae has received an investment of £1 million to focus on the commercialisation of its revolutionary microalgae product, targeting the rapidly growing global aquaculture and pet food industries.

Coffi heads are enjoying a new experience in Cardiff Bay following a refurbishment and extension of Coffi Co’s Mermaid Quay store.

Worcestershire’s first-of-its kind technology accelerator is searching for its third cohort. BetaDen is now accepting applications for its 9-month accelerator programme from technology entrepreneurs to small technology businesses that are minimal viable product (MVP) ready or in a position to develop to this stage. 

DPL, the London-headquartered data tech start-up that enables clients to automate the application of artificial intelligence and behavioural science insights to improve marketing effectiveness, today announces the completion of a new funding round with an investment of £1.3m and senior management changes.

Foresight Group has made a £7.5 million investment into Roxy Leisure Limited, a social entertainment bar group operating sites under the Roxy Ball Room, Roxy Lanes and Roxy Arcade banners across the North and Midlands. The investment was made by the Foresight Regional Investment LP and the Foresight VCTs.

Matt and Ben Jones launched the first Roxy site in 2013, becoming pioneers of in-bar entertainment, utilising their extensive experience in the industry to create a fast-growing and unique entertainment and leisure concept.

Livingbridge has announced a raft of promotions, including those of Amy Yateman-Smith and Dave Kirby to Partner.  

Skylight IPV Limited, the experienced independent price verification company, has secured significant investment from ETFS Capital.  This provides Skylight IPV additional stability for the next few years and the opportunity to use its unrivalled expertise to continue to work with clients and further develop its technology to build an ever-improved market leading service.

BGF has now invested £411m into 50 businesses in the Midlands, with £57m of that total invested in the past 12 months in new investments and follow-on funding for existing portfolio companies based across the region.

With offices across Birmingham, Nottingham and Milton Keynes, BGF made several investments in the UK’s growing life sciences sector in 2019, including Nottingham-based business incubator BioCity and Cambridge-based life sciences business Fluidic Analytics.

Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), the bank for innovative businesses, enterprises and their investors, has provided Icelolly, the UK’s leading holiday comparison platform and award-winning travel brand with £2m in finance to support its future growth plans. 

BGF’s North West team has now invested £311m across 34 businesses in the region with £59m of that total invested in the past 12 months. 

New investments included Manchester-headquartered FinTech company Planixs, international schools group Orbital Education and Joloda International, a fast-growing manufacturing firm based in Merseyside. This investment took BGF past its £2bn investment milestone and scooped Deal of the Year (sub £10m) at the 2019 Insider North West Dealmakers Awards. Last month BGF announced a £10m investment in CurrentBody, a Manchester-based online retail specialist for home-use beauty devices.