Pembroke VCT boss Andrew Wolfson: ‘New founders aren’t blaming Brexit’ Opinion Pembroke VCT boss Andrew Wolfson has backed brands like TALA and Pasta Evangelists. He tells us the wisdom he's picked up along his career.
Venture capital prospects are a bright spot for the UK economy Opinion Despite fears about the Budget and Donald Trump, venture capital rebounded strongly in 2024 and the view is looking optimistic for the years ahead, says Nicole Lowe It is fair to say that 2024 was a rollercoaster year when it came to venture capital (VC) investment. Major elections and political shifts on both sides of [...]
VCT fundraising push continues as Baronsmead launches £50m raise Investing Two Baronsmead venture capital trusts (VCTs) have launched a £50m funding drive today as a boom in fundraising for the vehicles continues. The VCTs, which are managed by Gresham House, are targeting a £30m share offer with an over-allotment option of £20m, meaning they are able to issue new shares if there is demand from [...]
AI investor FOMO: Has AI supply outstripped demand? December 8, 2024 Investors are pouring billions into AI, but has supply now outstripped demand? Mike Smeed looks at how AI funding has become misbalanced.
UK venture capital industry not attracting enough domestic funding, says report November 25, 2024 The UK’s venture capital industry is not attracting enough funding from domestic investors compared with the likes of France and Germany, a report from the sector’s industry body has warned. Venture Capital in the UK, a new annual paper from the British Venture Capital Association (BVCA), found the country’s risk capital sector had shown “resilience” [...]
Ladbible and Onthebeach founders back investor led by Steven Bartlett’s former business partner November 5, 2024 The founders of Ladbible and Onthebeach have backed a venture capital firm that is led by the former business partner of Dragons’ Den star, Steven Bartlett. Solly Solomou, the chief executive of Manchester-headquartered Ladbible Group, has invested in Wilmslow-based Fearless Adventures alongside Onthebeach’s Simon Cooper, who will become its chairman. Solomou has invested through his [...]
UK start-up funding falls but life sciences sector picks up October 15, 2024 UK start-ups secured $2.9bn (£2.2bn) in new venture capital (VC) funding during the third quarter of 2024, a sharp drop from the $5.7bn (£4.4bn) raised in the previous quarter, according to fresh data from HSBC. The global VC market also slowed, marking its weakest quarter in over four years, driven largely by a downturn in [...]
Americans do it better (investing, that is) October 9, 2024 British companies are often accountable to passive shareholders, such as pension funds, leading to risk aversion and short-termism. The US invests differently, with much better results, says Tom Focas The UK economy is in dire need of a rejuvenation. Growth is still stagnating, productivity lags behind global competitors, and industries that once anchored the nation’s [...]
UK defence tech investment surges September 26, 2024 Venture capital in European defence technology is set to reach $1bn annually by 2024, with the UK leading the charge alongside Germany and France.
Why launch an AIM VCT now? First in 17 years debuts September 19, 2024 The first venture capital trust focused on the AIM market in 17 years has been launched by Puma, despite fears over the strength of London’s junior market. AIM stocks have not performed well in recent years, with its index falling 40 per cent over the last three years, compared to a 21 rise in the [...]