Funding Matters - Issue 2 - Christmas Edition
December 2005
Giles Clarke Joins the Team
Leading entrepreneur Giles Clarke has been appointed as Non-Executive Chairman of the South West Ventures Fund.
Giles brings considerable business experience having been founder of Majestic Wines and Pet City. He is also currently Chairman of ALT Telecom and Somerset CCC. He said: "I believe the South West Ventures Fund can make a real impact on the success of individual companies and this will have a positive knock-on effect for the region as a whole."
Support for Workflow Technology Product
A specialist, IT-led conveyancing product created by Swindon-based Ochresoft Technologies is to benefit from focused marketing and further development following a £250,000 investment from the South West Ventures Fund.
Ochresoft Technologies' existing product (ICON) is a fully developed conveyancing workflow application that improves both the efficiency and risk exposure of law firms.
Clive McCafferty, CEO at Ochresoft Technologies commented: "This additional funding will help us grow our customer base in the legal market sector. We are also hoping to extend the range of applications available on Intelliworks to include wills and probate, re-mortgage and personal injury."
Simon Griffiths, Senior Investment Manager with South West Ventures Fund, said: "This is a great opportunity to support an experienced team that has plugged a gap in a specialist market with a product that offers the end user substantial benefits."
Investment in Nanoparticle Analysis Company
South West Ventures Fund has provided funding to a specialist nanoparticle analysis company, Nanosight. SWVF invested alongside Strathdon Investments in a £500,000 financing.
Based in Salisbury, Nanosight offers world-beating technology in the optical detection and real time analysis of nanoparticles and molecular structures.
Nanoparticle analysis is used across a broad range of industries including electronics, biotech, cosmetics and energy.
STOP PRESS - Double Award WIN for YFM Group
The YFM Group is delighted to announce that it won two awards at the 2005 Investor AllStars Venture Capital Awards held in November at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
This was a "must attend" event for investors that operate in the venture capital community and recognises the key successes in the industry, both over the past twelve months and beyond.
The Outstanding Contribution award was won by YFM's Philip Cammerman and The Capital Fund scooped the award for the Regional Venture Capital Fund of the Year.