Private equity investment in European companies hit a ten-year high in 2017 at €71.7 billion, a 29% year-on-year increase, according to new data released by Invest Europe. Almost 7,000 companies received investment, of which 87% were small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

A spinout company whose technology could save the lives of thousands of dialysis patients has secured £500,000 from Mercia Fund Managers, in the first investment deal since Mercia’s partnership with the University of Edinburgh was announced in November 2017.

StorageOS, Inc. has announced the general availability of its software-defined persistent storage platform for running containerized applications in production. The company also announced an $8 million Series A funding round.

A unique roofing tile system using recycled Welsh slate is set to revolutionise the global construction market. 

The UCL Technology Fund, UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), alongside support from Innovate UK, have invested in UCL spinout company Glialign Ltd, which is developing a novel cell therapy for peripheral nerve repair. 

Nanotech Industrial Solutions, Inc (NIS) has completed a $12m growth capital round to accelerate sales and continue developing new applications of its path-breaking nano-additives technology. The round was led and syndicated by EcoMachines Ventures, a long-term investor in NIS.

NIS is the only manufacturer of nano-sized particles of Inorganic Fullerene-like Tungsten Disulfide, producing high performance additives for greases, industrial lubricants (including gear oils, transmission oils, chain oils etc.), metal working fluids and other lubricating fluids.

Jellagen, a pioneer in marine biotechnologies based in Wales, has closed a £3.8m funding round led by Newable Private Investing, the Development Bank of Wales, and angel investors. Newable Private Investing is one of the UK’s leading private investment groups, providing support to cutting-edge start-ups.

Crowdcube, the world’s first and largest crowdfunding platform, has had its most successful Q1 since its launch seven years ago.

Funds managed by Foresight Group have provided a debt facility of up to £25 million to independent principal property lender, Roma Finance.

NearMeNow has secured an equity co-investment led by the Development Bank of Wales, who invested £150,000, with a further £60,000 obtained from private investors.

Technology business Intelligence Fusion, IF, is set to scale after successfully raising £487,000 to further develop its online global intelligence and risk management platform.

App commerce company Poq has announced the completion of a £9.5 million Series B funding round, led by Smedvig Capital, with significant participation from long-term investor Beringea and additional investment from existing investor Revolt Ventures. This round brings the total amount raised by Poq so far to £16.5 million.