There are ambitious companies at all stages of evolution that are looking for growth capital. Private Equity and Venture Capital houses are most prolific type of fund providing equity in the UK, and so they meet much of this demand. It can be generally observed that Private Equity firms invest in more established, post-profit companies, while venture capital funds have riskier portfolios filled with younger companies. However, even further specialisation can be found across these equity investors. Beauhurst looks at the most active private equity and venture capital funds in 2018, by the number of investments they made into companies at each stage of evolution; seed, venture, growth and established.

As more businesses invest in surveillance technology to monitor and track employees in the workplace, questions are raised around whether the benefits override growing concerns around digital ethics, and if employers truly understand the privacy implications. With new technological developments continuing to transform the world of work, Instant Offices delves into how companies can adapt to make sure these concerns and risk are managed.

Kantox, a leader in foreign exchange (FX) management solutions, has partnered with Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), the bank of the world’s most innovative companies and their investors, to offer cutting-edge FX management software to SVB’s corporate clients across the United Kingdom.

AlbionVC, the technology investment arm of Albion Capital, has appointed Paul Lehair as an investment manager.

Paul joins Albion from Citymapper where he was finance director for five years having joined when the company had less than 10 employees. Prior to this he worked in business operations at Viagogo and in M&A covering the TMT sector at Citigroup.

innogy Ventures, the venture capital investment arm of innogy Innovation Hub, has invested in Teralytics AG as part of a $17.5 million funding round. innogy Ventures and innogy Innovation Hub are backed by innogy SE, a leading German energy company. The round was led by Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH (RBVC), the corporate venture capital company of the Bosch Group. Other participants included Deutsche Bahn Digital Ventures, LBBW Venture Capital and Liil Ventures, as well as existing investors Atomico and Lakestar.

PRIVATE equity investments into UK-based small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been highlighted as a potential cure for market volatility

Green Angel Syndicate has invested in BuyMeOnce, the destination website for long lasting products of all sorts, as part of its £550,000 funding round. 

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF), has invested £150,000 to support ProGen Services Limited as it seeks to recruit new staff.

Founded in 2014, the Grimsby-based company is an industrial and commercial electrical and mechanical contractor. Progen provides fully integrated mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control and automation (MEICA) turnkey operations across the UK. 

The £150,000 funding will enable the creation of at least 10 new jobs, including a new apprenticeship programme. The investment will also be used to scale up the business by acquiring new customers.

NPIF - Maven Equity Finance, managed by Maven Capital Partners and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund has invested £1.5 million in specialist formwork manufacturer, Fast-Form Systems Limited. The funding will enable the company to execute its ambitious marketing strategy, continue to exploit growth opportunities in the US and create 11 new jobs.

AndWider, a worker engagement company that offers its clients clarity on working conditions alongside support to drive improvements where needed, announces that it has raised €598,000 in equity funding, surpassing its fundraising goal, with the help of ClearlySo, Europe's leading impact investment bank. The funding will be spent on scaling technology and bringing software development in-house as well as expanding support and sales teams.

Innovative wave energy technology developer Bombora has secured a seven figure working capital facility with the Development Bank of Wales in a move that will help secure the company’s future in Wales.

Last year the company was awarded a £10.3m grant from the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government. The new working capital facility with the Development Bank will help Bombora to manage its cash flow while the grant is received over the next two years.

Pamplona Capital Management has completed its acquisition of Loparex from funds managed by Intermediate Capital Group, alongside members of the company’s leadership team, who remain committed to supporting the long-term growth of Loparex’s customers. Simon Medley will continue to serve as CEO.