Investment Update: 22 companies seal equity investment in November

As is tradition, the equity investment deals seem to be picking up again as the year comes to a close. November saw 22 companies successfully close equity investment deals across the South West (as reported by our friends at Beauhurst). 

In total, a little over £53.5 million was secured with £35.8 million announced publicly – read on to find out more about those deals. Whilst only five companies have announced their news in the press so far, one of those marks a significant milestone – the first deal to be completed by the South West Investment Fund by FSE.

The British Business Bank’s £200 million South West Investment Fund has announced its first major equity deal with a £500,000 equity investment in Exeter-based tech-led commercial waste and recycling business Binit.

The deal is part of a £750,000 funding round led by the South West Investment Fund appointed fund manager The FSE Group and includes co-funding of £250,000 from private equity investor Yeo Valley Associates.

BPP Education Group, a global leader in professional and vocational education announces £5M investment and partnership with UK education technology business xUnlocked, operators of Sustainability Unlocked and Finance Unlocked. 

BPP’s investment will  allow xUnlocked to fast-track their growth including the recent launch of Sustainability Unlocked and invest further in quality customer experiences. It will enable the business to expand its suite of specialised on-demand video education platforms and provide wider specialist training beyond sustainability and finance.

G Square Healthcare Private Equity LLP announces the investment in Mayden, the health tech company behind the leading Electronic Health Record (EHR) for psychological therapies in the UK. G Square’s investment in Mayden is the third investment by G Square Capital IV. G Square’s partnership with Mayden is to support the company’s next phase of growth.

This significant development marks a milestone in Mayden’s commitment to design, build and support insightful and interoperable systems for healthcare services in the UK and abroad. Over the last 20 years, Mayden has worked closely with our healthcare customers and industry experts to create an EHR that is outcome focussed, data driven and supports patient centred care.

Bristol-based e-commerce fulfillment platform Huboo has raised £29 million in new capital as it strives towards profitability. 

Provided by existing investors including Ada Ventures and Maersk Growth and lenders HSBC and Blackrock, the fresh injection of capital brings the company’s total amount raised to £122 million.

Online marketplace OnBuy has announced plans to expand its global reach after securing investment from a global tech firm.

Cas Paton, the Dorset firm’s chief executive, wrote in a LinkedIn post that the company had received backing from a “NASDAQ-listed global tech player” and was to set up its first websites serving overseas markets next year. Mr Paton added that the Bournemouth-based business was looking to scale its UK operations, after October marked OnBuy’s first ever profitable month since he founded OnBuy in 2016.

A Dorset-based temporary structures firm has received funding from private equity investor Alcuin Capital Partners to support its UK growth and plans for international expansion.

Mar-Key Group secured the investment through audit, tax and consulting firm RSM UK, alongside Adam Godden from 2525 Limited. The investment, from Alcuin, will allow Mar-Key Group to consolidate its domestic and international presence. The partnership will also enable investment into its production and manufacturing facilities.

This article is written as part of the Investment Activator Programme (IAP) in the West of England. This programme is run by TechSPARK and is kindly sponsored by TLT LLP, delaware, West of England Combined Authority, UWE, Sanderson, Engine Shed and Rocketmakers. Find out more about the IAP here.

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