BGF, the growth capital investor, has experienced record levels of investment activity in the East Midlands over the last 12 months.
Since March 2021, £35 million of capital has been invested locally by BGF, as it continues to support the region’s most exciting growth economy businesses.
Deals include a £10.25 million investment into mobile data specialist and eSIM Mobile Virtual Network Operator, Jola Cloud Solutions Ltd, and a multi-million pound investment into ultra-secure lock and door furniture supplier Brisant Secure. Both have continued to be fast growing with Brisant just announcing growth of 35 per cent in the past year, following BGF’s investment to support its long-term growth plans.
In September 2021, BGF led an oversubscribed £10 million funding round into Locate Bio, an orthobiologics focused regenerative medicine company, alongside Mercia Asset Management; while at the start of 2022 BGF (alongside renowned tech entrepreneur Vin Murria OBE) invested $14.5 million in Myzone, the global manufacturer of wearable fitness tracking technology.
BGF also completed a substantial investment in Alliance Transport Technology (ATT) to deliver the business’s ambitious expansion plans. ATT has pioneered the use of remanufacturing electronic components to allow commercial vehicle operators to decarbonise the maintenance of their fleets, providing a clean-growth offering that’s helping customers reduce emissions and increase resource efficiency.
A total of five successful exits, including the Coaching Inn Group and BioCity were also completed by BGF’s Nottingham team in the last 12 months, generating significant returns for all shareholders.
Based on Park Row, BGF opened a Nottingham office in January 2018 and has now backed 19 businesses with a total £150 million invested in the local economy.
BGF investor, Seb Saywood said: “Our recent investments demonstrate not only the resilience but entrepreneurial flair of the East Midlands.
“The businesses we back are passionate and confident about their ability to do things better and continue to grow. There is also recognition that a well-funded, experienced investment partner can accelerate that growth and our numerous exit success stories are testament to this. We look forward to partnering with more businesses in the region to support their growth ambitions.”
BGF believes the coming year will create further prospects for deal activity in the East Midlands, with opportunities likely to arise from entrepreneurs looking to make acquisitions, enter new markets and potentially de-risk some of their own personal investment.
