Blackfinch Ventures has invested £700,000 in innovative tech start-up Warwick Analytics. Founded in 2011, this London-based firm is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based data spin-out from the University of Warwick. Warwick Analytics delivers powerful text analytics for contact centres based on proprietary machine learning. 

Maven Capital Partners has led a £3 million funding round in Manchester-based DigitalBridge, a Guided Design platform for kitchen and bathroom retailers. Today’s transaction comprises a £1.5 million package from Maven’s Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) and £1.5 million from the NPIF Maven Equity Finance, a regional development fund managed by Maven which forms part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund. The funding will support the roll-out of DigitalBridge’s platform and the creation of 15 new jobs. It will also enable the company to create additional products and penetrate new markets, particularly the US.  DigitalBridge has been working with Kingfisher Plc (owners of B&Q and Castorama) since 2017. 

As part of its contribution to London’s climate action week, Guernsey Finance has published findings suggesting the political backdrop is encouraging private equity managers to consider more investment in green and sustainable finance – but they also want to see more transparency in those funds.

Research carried out by Guernsey Finance has revealed rising interest in green investment from managers, but also flagged that they had underestimated the funding requirements and commercial opportunity for limiting global warming.

Fintech startup Joko has carried out its first fundraising with top-tier investors — Partech, Axeleo Capital, Lafayette Plug and Play, and several angel investors from the sector — to develop its simple and universal loyalty program integrated into credit or debit cards.

Traditional and single-brand loyalty programs are no longer appropriate for the customised buying experience that millennials want. With most brands, it is necessary to have the loyalty card with you and to scan it when you pay. Already existing programs are not or only slightly customised, and the consumer accumulating points on each of his programs has little visibility on the benefits he gets. As a result of this disappointing experience, millennials are increasingly abandoning these historical programs.

Will Mason, from business finance consultants Liquidity Club, outlines how companies should remember to examine the structure of any funding they take on and how it impacts the day-to-day running of the company.

Ascension Ventures, the London-based investment firm, had an eventful evening at the annual UKBAA Angel Investment Awards.

GeckoLabs, a company whose software platform helps universities to engage and recruit students, has secured £1.8m investment from Mercia Fund Managers, the Scottish Investment Bank’s Co-Investment Fund and existing angel investors.

As an angel looking to invest, what are the timing considerations? We all know that the successful start-up to exit journey is most dependent on the founders but that there are many additional important factors such as sufficient capital, successful technology, competition and an element of luck?Peter Cowley from The Invested Investor investigates....

Partech has expanded its Growth Equity team with the appointment of Paul Vidier.

Before joining Partech, Paul worked in London at Kennet Partners, a transatlantic tech growth equity firm, where he invested in growth-stage European SaaS and fintech companies for five years. Prior to working in growth equity, he spent nine years in finance, strategy and operational roles in financial services at Oliver Wyman, EY and Barclays.

Maven Capital Partners has exited from GEV Group Holdings Limited. The exit attracted significant interest from several private equity buyers; the sale to Bridges Fund Management will generate 2.7x returns for Maven investors.

AlbionVC has led a £2.6m Series A investment round in Clear Review, the UK HR technology scale-up. AlbionVC invested £1.85m with existing shareholders Mercia Technologies and angel investors also supporting the round.

Clear Review is a cloud-based performance management platform that promotes frequent employee feedback and continuous employee-manager conversations. It has experienced rapid growth since launching in 2016, increasing revenue and headcount by 100% and attracting more than 200 customers with its simple, yet engaging user interface. 

Earthworm Group welcomes four new hires to its expanding team, coinciding with the move to its new head office at Milton Park, Abingdon.