Development of business angel network

RNS Number : 3152J

Braveheart Investment Group plc

29 June 2011

 



29 June 2011

Braveheart Investment Group plc

Development of business angel network in North-East England

Braveheart Investment Group (AIM: BRH) ('Braveheart' or the 'Group'), the AIM-listed specialist in growth capital investments for business angels, high net worth individuals and family offices, is to work with North East Access to Finance ('NEA2F'), the body responsible for supporting small to medium enterprises ('SMEs') across the North-East of England, to increase business angel activity in that region.

NEA2F has appointed Viking Fund Managers Limited to develop a broad network of active business angel investors operating across the North-East, similar to the way Yorkshire Association of Business Angels ('YABA') now operates in the Yorkshire and Humber region. Viking founded and managed the Viking Fund, co-investing £4 million in almost 30 companies alongside Yorkshire business angels. It is a subsidiary of Braveheart Investment Group plc, which in 2010 acquired London-based Envestors, an organisation which is also active in the business angel market. Over the past 15 years Viking has grown and developed YABA into one of the UK's largest regional business angel networks. 

Geoffrey Thomson, Chief Executive of Braveheart, said: "Business angel investment is rightly gaining recognition and acceptance for its role in generating employment and wealth, not least in those areas of the country traditionally associated with manufacturing. This helps explain two major Government initiatives that will advance business angel investing considerably - the 50 per cent increase in Enterprise Investment Scheme income tax relief contained in the Budget, and the announcement in April of the £50 million Business Angel Co-Investment Fund."

For further information please visit:

www.braveheartinvestmentgroup.co.uk

www.nea2f.co.uk

Or contact:

Braveheart Investment Group plc	Seymour Pierce
Geoffrey Thomson, Chief Executive Tel: [phone] [e-mail]	John Cowie (Nominated Adviser) Paul Jewell, Marianne Woods (Corporate Broking) Tel: [phone]
Media inquiries
Allerton Communications (for Braveheart) Peter Curtain Tel: [phone] [e-mail]

Notes to editors

Braveheart Investment Group makes and manages investments in young, emerging British companies, specialising in building tax-efficient portfolios for business angels, high net worth individuals and family offices. Braveheart was founded in 1997 by a small group of investors to encourage and syndicate investments in privately held companies that offered opportunities for significant growth. Fourteen years on, Braveheart is a public company with a demonstrable track record in early-stage technology investing, an established client base and offices in Perth, London and Yorkshire.

Investments are made in unlisted companies where there is potential for significant growth through successful commercialisation of IP. Through close relationships with leading universities and innovation centres, Braveheart has access to a wide variety of emerging commercial opportunities at early stages. There are currently some 45 companies in Braveheart's diverse portfolio (includes all companies where the Group has a financial interest) and it has completed more than 100 deals.

Following the 2010 acquisition of Envestors Ltd, the London based specialist corporate finance advisory business, Braveheart has greater geographical reach and offers a unique and comprehensive suite of tax-efficient products to high-net-worth investors.  

 

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