Invenio Business Solutions, a global provider of business-focused technology solutions and consulting services, has acquired Proverbium, a Bangalore-based logistics consultancy.

Duke & Dexter (D+D), an award-winning footwear label has secured a £2m investment from NVM Private Equity to continue disrupting the men’s footwear market and build its global community of fans. Since launching in 2014 D+D have received international recognition, selling to over 120 countries and working with reputable international retailers including Harrods,  Selfridges, the KaDeWe Group and Level Shoes.

PRIVATE equity house WestBridge has appointed a new Investment Director to open its new Manchester office and lead investments across the North of England.

Peter Barkley joins WestBridge from Dow Schofield Watts, where he spent four years in the lead advisory team and where he supported WestBridge with its MBO of Stockport headquartered environmental consultancy APEM in March.

Ortho Solutions, a specialist orthopaedic design manufacturer, has secured a £2 million funding facility from Independent Growth Finance (IGF) to develop a new range of innovative medical solutions. Founded in 2001, the privately-owned Essex based manufacturer supplies NHS and private hospitals throughout the UK with implant systems used in foot and ankle surgery.

European companies raised a record-breaking €10.6bn of venture capital during the first six months of 2019 according to analysis by Refinitiv.

A new indoor climbing centre has opened in the old boathouse in Llandudno, thanks to a £50,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales.

Howsy, the UK’s leading online property management platform has announced an investment raise of £5m, led by Skybound Capital - one of London’s most forward thinking global wealth management businesses - as well as a number of existing investors.

By James Murdoch

I had not planned to write an article in the holiday month of August, but time for reflection has given me the impetus to highlight my key conclusions. These have perhaps been partially buried in detail of my first 4 articles; I have been so determined that my articles should be based on analysis of my wide portfolio that the description of portfolio, process and data may have have given the foundation but not sufficiently emphasised the messages emerging.

Crowdcube, the world’s leading equity crowdfunding platform, had several of its records smashed by fintech pioneer Curve, which raised £6 million in a mere 5 hours. A total of 9,591 people backed Curve, the highest number of investors in a raise on Crowdcube. The fundraise began at 10am UK time on Tuesday and just five minutes later, investors ploughed in £1 million, in the first of the record-breaking statistics that raised the bar for future campaigns.

Technology sectors in the UK are thriving and have thus brought about an increased level of awareness to the public consciousness. 

Equiem, the global leader in tenant experience technology and services for commercial real estate, has announced the completion of its largest ever capital raise, securing more than £7 million from a number of different investors. The total is the biggest single funding round reported by any commercial tenant experience technology company to date and takes the amount invested in Equiem to over £17 million in total.

Foresight Group LLP, a leading independent infrastructure and small cap private equity investment manager, is launching its fifth regional private equity fund, which will focus on companies in the thriving SME sector in the East of England.