The investment capacity of the Baby Boomer generation is undeniably the most powerful across the UK. According to the Office for National Statistics in 2016, Baby Boomers owned 36% of the UK's household wealth, with one in five measured to be millionaires. 

Kernel Capital has led a £1.6m investment in Belfast-based Automated Intelligence, in syndication with private investors. The investment comprises of £750K investment from The Bank of Ireland Kernel Capital Growth Fund (NI).  Automated Intelligence has developed a data management platform AI.DATALIFT, giving customers insight and control over their ever-increasing volumes of data.  This is now a vital component of many significant UK organisations’ information governance frameworks with clients including DEFRA, Crossrail and NHS Trusts.  

CyberSmart, a GCHQ Cyber Accelerator alumni, has secured £1.3 million in new financing led by deep-tech investor IQ Capital, after two years in stealth mode. This funding will allow CyberSmart to further accelerate its rapid growth, build next-generation technical capabilities and secure Britain’s future as a leader in cybersecurity.  CyberSmart’s core mission is to protect and empower SMEs, often the weak link in cybersecurity, but at the same time, the bread and butter of the UK business landscape. CyberSmart’s platform and products allow any size SME, with or without technical resources, to protect itself and its staff, easily and affordably. The exciting platform is bringing cybersecurity standards to the masses, with millions of UK SMEs in its sights, a truly scalable cybersecurity solution.

Thriva, the proactive health company, has secured a £6M Series A funding round. The funding will support Thriva as it builds towards it’s ambitious vision: to put optimal health in anyone’s hands.  The round, from a range of investors including Pembroke VCT and Guinness Asset Management, takes the total raised by Thriva to £7.5m since its launch in 2016.  Thriva offers affordable, clinical-grade insights based on the latest research and has helped over 100,000 people understand how their lifestyle is impacting their health.

The Animal Health Laboratory within the Colorado Department of Agriculture is assisting in a trial of Actiphage®, a new rapid blood test for 

It’s been serving the Anglesey community delicious gelato for the past 10 years.  Now more and more locals and visitors to North Wales are going to be able to enjoy the delights from Red Boat parlour ice-cream with more retail outlets opening and a new production hub, thanks to a loan from Development Bank of Wales.

Bluegem Capital Partners, the European mid-market fund focused on consumer brands,has announced the acquisition of Pool Service, the leading Italian professional hair care group and owner of the iconic Medavita brand, from the private equity house Accord Management and the Cattaneo family. 

One Stop Business Finance, the Yorkshire based alternative funding specialist for SMEs, has strengthened its senior management team 

Bluecrest Health Screening, a leading provider of affordable health checks, has secured a £17 million investment arranged by private equity firm Vespa Capital.

NPIF – Maven Equity Finance, managed by Maven and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund has invested a total of £25 million, supporting 40 SMEs and helping create over 200 new jobs since launching in February 2017.  An additional £20 million has been raised through private sector funding.

MPC Capital has acquired a 6.5 MWp solar PV project under development in El Salvador. The project has signed a 20-year USD-denominated power purchase agreement (PPA) with CAESS, the local subsidiary of the US-based energy company AES. This is MPC Capital’s second investment in Central America, after Tilawind, the 21 MW operating wind farm in Costa Rica.

BGF, the UK and Ireland’s most active investor in growing businesses, has invested £6.25m into Christopher Ward, the Maidenhead-based premium British watch brand, to accelerate growth.  Founded in 2005 by Mike France, Chris Ward and Peter Ellis, Christopher Ward has grown to become the UK’s leading direct-to-consumer watch brand, with customers in more than 100 countries.  Christopher Ward creates high-quality timepieces that combine British style and innovation with Swiss watchmaking skills. The brand specialises in mechanical and quartz watches, that are designed in the UK and manufactured in the home of horology, Biel, Switzerland.