Seneca provided a cornerstone growth capital investment to support the Gear4music IPO in June 2015. Since investment the company has experienced significant growth, providing a 5.2x return to investors.  Since IPO, York headquartered Gear4music – the largest UK based online retailer of musical instruments and equipment – has experienced growth in the UK and overseas, particularly across Europe and Scandinavia. Gear4music has enjoyed annual revenue increases from £24m to over £80m in 3 years as well as growing its market capitalisation to more than £150m.

Fascinating blog this week by Simon Murdoch. Read his insight on  funding from his 20+ years experience in the industry.

Mercia Technologies investment, VirtTrade, has secured a partnership with Formula 1 to join its growing roster of digital initiatives, aimed at providing innovative new methods for fan engagement in the sport.

VirtTrade is a developer and publisher of digital trading cards and works with licensors to create high quality engagement apps for fans. The VirtTrade platform allows fans around the world to pursue their passions by collecting digital cards, making trades and competing in games.

A Derbyshire industrial lubricants specialist has secured a £250,000 loan to support its growth from NPIF-Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia Fund Managers and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.

Aztec Oils will use the money to fund the first stage of its three-year £1.2m expansion project which will increase storage capacity and turnaround times at its flagship Bolsover site. The company, which manufactures and distributes high-performance lubricants to a wide range of industrial sectors, is targeting 20% growth in the current financial year, having increased turnover by 18% last year.

BitSight, the Global Standard in Security Ratings, has closed $60 million in Series D funding, bringing the company’s total funding to $155 million. BitSight’s Series D financing was led by Warburg Pincus, with participation from existing investors Menlo Ventures, GGV Capital and Singtel Innov8. The financing enables BitSight to continue its rapid global expansion and extend its portfolio of market-leading security risk management solutions, while further validating BitSight’s leadership position as the global standard for security ratings.

Oxford Capital's Lisa Best outlines some of the potential benefits of investing in the SME housebuilding sector.

A North Wales company that is developing a world-first technology to recycle MDF waste has received new funding of £165,000 from a group of business angels. MDF Recovery has secured the additional investment from a group of angels who have previously backed the business.

Gigglebyte, a series of tech talks, workshops, panel discussions and events, will be part of the Shepherds Bush Comedy Festival from 24 - 27 July.

BP has entered into an agreement to purchase Chargemaster, the UK’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging company. Chargemaster operates the UK’s largest public network of EV charging points, with over 6,500 across the country. It also designs, builds, sells and maintains EV charging units for a wide range of locations, including for home charging.

Simon Acland is the co-founder of Green Angel Syndicate, the only angel syndicate in the UK specialising in investments that are of benefit to the Green economy. We support early stage technology companies developing products and solutions specifically for a more efficient and sustainable use of global resources. 

Specialist investment manager Oxford Capital has announced the launch of its Residential Development Bond. It is a co-investment alongside Oxford Capital managed funds, allowing investors to leverage Oxford Capital’s due diligence and deal flow.

A Hull healthtech start-up which has developed an award-winning device to enhance mental wellbeing has secured a £200,000 investment from NPIF-Mercia Equity Finance, which is managed by Mercia Fund Managers and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.

Moodbeam’s wearable device allows users to log their mood and monitor their emotional wellbeing – or that of their children, students, patients or employees. The device, which links to an online and mobile platform, gives insights into how moods change over time, showing patterns and trends that can support positive change. The funding will allow the business to put the device into production.