Foresight Group is an independent alternative asset manager with over 30 years of experience, specializing in environmental and solar infrastructure as well as private equity. With more than £2.2 billion in assets under management, the firm serves a diverse client base that includes private and high-net-worth individuals, family offices, pension funds, and other institutional investors from the UK and internationally. Foresight aims to generate sustainable dividends and capital appreciation for its investors by developing compelling long-term investment strategies. The firm is committed to supporting sustainable economic and social development through its investments. Foresight Group operates offices in the UK, USA, Italy, and Australia.
YFM Equity Partners is an independent private equity firm based in Leeds, with additional offices in London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Sheffield. Established in 1982, the firm specializes in providing equity finance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across various sectors, including energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. YFM Equity Partners focuses on growth capital, recapitalization, expansion, management buyouts, and buy-ins, investing between £0.1 million and £10 million in companies that have annual revenues ranging from £1 million to £50 million. The firm targets firms outside primary industries and holds a preference for majority stakes in its portfolio companies. YFM aims to take board memberships and typically seeks to exit its investments within five years through sales or public listings. The firm has a particular focus on regions in the United Kingdom, including Yorkshire and the North West, and has also expanded its investment activities to the United States.
IP Group, established in 2001 and based in London, focuses on creating value through the commercialization of intellectual property from research-intensive institutions. The firm excels in identifying suitable intellectual property for commercialization and is adept at developing businesses or forming strategic partnerships to maximize value. With a strong foundation of industry and financial expertise, IP Group has built a solid reputation for delivering consistent results for its companies, partners, and shareholders. By leveraging its extensive knowledge of the commercialization process, IP Group effectively bridges the gap between innovative research and market application, fostering growth and sustainability in its business endeavors.
JamJar Investments is a venture capital firm focused on investing in high-growth consumer brand businesses in digital and non-tech sectors. With expertise gained from taking innocent from inception to acquisition by Coca Cola for over half a billion pounds, the company understands the journey of entrepreneurs and provides solutions to their challenges. Founded by the innocent drinks founders, JamJar invests in European businesses, particularly in consumer services, products, technology, and food and drink sectors. The firm typically invests between £0.15 million and £1 million in initial rounds, with a willingness to continue investing in subsequent rounds. Based in London, United Kingdom, JamJar Investments leverages its operational, commercial, and brand experience to support entrepreneurs through the highs and lows of business growth.
Endless is a UK-based private equity firm established in December 2005, specializing in equity investments and acquisitions in special situations, particularly targeting middle-market companies. The firm focuses on buyouts, non-core business acquisitions, refinancings, and turnarounds, providing both financial investment and operational expertise to companies facing challenges. Endless does not invest in startups or speculative ventures and has no specific sector limitations, although it often targets industries such as property, retail, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and engineering services. The firm typically invests between £0.25 million and £80 million in companies with annual revenues ranging from £10 million to £1 billion, with equity investments in buyouts and turnarounds ranging from £1 million to £20 million. Endless primarily seeks to support small and medium enterprises in the UK, with a focus on regions including Yorkshire, London, and the Midlands. The firm generally holds its investments for about three years, though it may consider different timeframes based on specific circumstances. Endless operates from multiple offices in Leeds, Manchester, London, and Birmingham.
Firestartr helps the most promising digital entrepreneurs take their companies from seed stage to Series A and beyond. Beyond providing capital, they draw on their entrepreneurial successes and senior operational experience with leading technology companies to support sustainable growth in their portfolio. Their deep domain expertise, combined with an unrivalled network of advisors, enable us to make meaningful connections at the right time and propel companies with hands-on support.
CDC Group, established in 1948, is the UK's Development Finance Institution, fully owned by the UK government's Department for International Development. As the world's oldest DFI, CDC focuses on fostering business development in Africa and South Asia, aiming to create jobs and improve living conditions in some of the poorest regions. The institution invests strategically in areas where the private sector is underdeveloped and job opportunities are limited, targeting sectors such as manufacturing, agribusiness, infrastructure, financial services, construction, health, and education. Through its portfolio, CDC has supported numerous investee businesses, significantly contributing to job creation and local tax revenues, thereby making a substantial impact on the economies and communities it serves.
Scottish Enterprise is Scotland's principal economic development agency, functioning as a non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government. Its mission is to enhance Scotland's economic landscape by fostering innovation, high-wage employment, and productivity, while also promoting a competitive presence in international markets. The agency collaborates with both public and private sectors to identify and leverage opportunities that can have a meaningful and lasting impact on the Scottish economy. Scottish Enterprise provides support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by helping them secure funding, strengthen management teams, and enhance growth potential. Additionally, the agency engages with UK and international investors, including venture capital groups and business angels, to stimulate the supply of finance for businesses in Scotland. The Scottish Investment Bank, a part of Scottish Enterprise, specializes in direct and fund of fund investments, targeting sectors such as technology, renewable energy, and life sciences, with investments typically ranging from small amounts to several million pounds.
The Development Bank of Wales, established in 2001 by the Welsh Assembly Government, serves as an independent financial institution dedicated to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Wales. The bank provides a range of commercial funding options, including bridge financing, business loans, micro loans, and development capital, with investments typically ranging from £0.001 million to £2 million. It focuses on various sectors such as technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and renewable energy, primarily targeting businesses based in Wales or those willing to relocate there. The Development Bank of Wales also engages in co-investing with banks and private investors, and offers flexible financing solutions to startups and established companies alike, emphasizing sustainable growth and innovation within the Welsh economy.
Business Growth Fund is an influential investor in small and mid-sized businesses. It was set up in 2011 to offer growing companies and ambitious entrepreneurs patient capital and strategic support. With 14 offices, they are close and relevant to the businesses they invest in. They have grown to a team of 150+ and a network that’s made up of one of the largest pools of board-level executives. Collectively, the companies in their portfolio employ close to 50,000 people. They want to see more entrepreneurs using their capital not only to scale-up their own business but also, collectively, to drive economic activity and with it increase employment, exports, and growth.