The UK Creative Content EIS Fund, launched this summer by Calculus Capital and Stargrove Pictures in association with the British Film Institute (BFI), has made its first investment. 

The fund, along with other Calculus funds, is investing in Wonderhood Studios, the creative business founded by former Channel 4 CEO David Abraham and senior partners from the TV production and advertising sectors. 

Wonderhood is introducing a new hybrid model as a TV programme maker and advertising agency supported by a third capability which provides data-led insights into audience behaviour.

Kuber the pioneering alternative fund investment platform offering access to EIS, SEIS & BR portfolios and funds has appointed James Ramsay as MD alongside Andrew Kartashov.

Women-led companies have more success with Crowdcube’s crowdfunding platform than with any other method of equity financing. Out  of 760 UK start-up or growth companies that have funded on Crowdcube, 24% are founded by women. Female founders have driven 216 UK-led successful raises on Crowdcube, which have collectively raised £107m, since the company began in 2011.

Ethical investment platform SeedTribe has relaunched as a new UK-focused impact hub. The platform will connect startups with individuals, corporates and governments interested in helping profit-with-purpose businesses. SeedTribe’s new focus will be supporting inspiring entrepreneurs in ways not solely connected to finding equity investment. This includes mentoring, networking and recruitment.

The Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) Debt Finance, managed by Maven Capital Partners, has provided Black Country based Vacuum Furnace Engineering Ltd, with a £1.5m funding package. This will enable the business to increase output, fund several large projects and pursue its growth strategy.

Esme Loans, the SME digital lender backed by NatWest, has achieved £100million of lending to UK SMEs.

Sheffield-headquartered Independent Forgings & Alloys, one of the UK’s leading independent aerospace and industrial forgers, has acquired Doncasters Precision Forgings, from Doncasters Group.

In March 2018, BGF, the UK and Ireland’s most active investor in growing businesses, invested £8.5m in IFA. DPF was identified as a strategic acquisition opportunity as part of the business’ growth ambitions to reach £50m sales.

Hundreds of businesses, entrepreneurs, investors and experts descended on St James' Park, Newcastle last week for VentureFest North East.

A series of high-profile national and international speakers and business leaders provided inspiration and practical tools to delegates who gathered at the region's innovation conference to learn from one another before celebrating success at the North East Innovation Awards during a ceremony that brought the event to a close.

Mercia Asset Management has announced its intention to acquire the management of the three Northern Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs); Northern Venture Trust PLC, Northern 2 VCT PLC and Northern 3 VCT PLC, from NVM Private Equity LLP.

The prevalence and severity of cyber-attacks/breaches has damningly increased over the last few years. 

Charity Bank, the loans and savings bank owned by and committed to serving the social sector, has announced both the successful raise of nearly £5 million in subordinated debt and its plans to attract an additional £10 million in new equity investment from charities, trusts and foundations. This capital will enable Charity Bank to grow its support for the social sector and increase its capacity to respond to a growing demand for repayable finance, including the significant unmet demand for unsecured funding.

NatWest is partnering with Moneypenny, the world’s largest and highest rated outsourced communications provider, to bring the 900 entrepreneurs it supports through its Accelerators exclusive access to tools and advice that will help them to grow and develop their businesses.