Investment in AppShare

Braveheart Investment Group plc 02 April 2008 For release, 07.00, 2 April 2008 Braveheart Investment Group plc ('Braveheart' or the 'Group') INVESTMENT IN APPSHARE LIMITED ('the Company') Braveheart (AIM: BRH), the technology commercialisation and investment management company, announces that it has made its eighth investment from its Alpha EIS Fund into AppShare Ltd., a recent spin out from the University of Strathclyde. The funding of c. £180,000 also included investment from the University. AppShare was formed in 2007 to develop a collaborative software solution known as 'ePlace'. The technology allows the sharing of software applications between users at different locations. Whilst software collaboration systems already exist, ePlace offers significant advantages over existing web-conferencing products. ePlace is intrinsically capable of being more secure than most of its competitors it consumes much less bandwidth and offers many features that add real value to the concept of remote application sharing. At present the large corporate sector is the main user of collaboration systems. With an estimated spend of £1.1 billion annually, the market is forecast to reach $2.8 billion by the end of 2010. The Company currently has a working ePlace prototype, which it aims to further develop over the next 12 months, utilising the funds raised. The prototype has completed a successful test period at a reference site, a significant milestone in the development of a fully commercial product. Stephen Behan is CEO of Appshare Ltd. He said: 'ePlace is a direct peer-to-peer service. Other commercially available services require users to connect to a virtual space via an intermediary, which has clear security implications. Currently, you have to rely on these intermediaries to not 'eavesdrop' on your conversations. ePlace is not a desktop sharing system; it's an application sharing technology that allows colleagues to 'look over your shoulder' as you use an application and explain your work. So far we have yet to find an application that cannot be shared across time zones using this approach.' He added: 'The support of Braveheart, who have such a proven track record in supporting fledgling technology companies, has come as a considerable fillip to us as we look to further develop and commercialise ePlace. Alongside the funding support we have received from Braveheart and the University we have secured a substantial grant award from Smart Scotland; with this funding package in place we are confident that we have a solid platform from which to move forward.' Commenting on the investment, Geoffrey Thomson, Chief Executive of Braveheart said; 'We are delighted to support another spin-out from the University of Strathclyde. AppShare's ePlace software is uniquely designed to take advantage of a gap in a growing market and its experienced management team have a clear and focussed approach to bringing the product to market.' For further information please visit www.braveheart-ventures.co.uk or contact: Braveheart Investment Group Tavistock Communications (for Braveheart) Geoffrey Thomson, Chief Executive Clemmie Carr / Simon Hudson Tel: 01738 587555 Tel: 020 7920 3150 gthomson@braveheart-ventures.co.uk ccarr@tavistock.co.uk Appshare Limited University of Strathclyde Stephen Behan, Chief Executive Kat Ferguson Tel: 07914 842 028 Tel: 0141 548 4123 kat.ferguson@strath.ac.uk Notes to Editors Braveheart was formed in 1997 by four Scottish businessmen as a co-investment vehicle in order to pool their money and knowledge, increase diversification and also reduce risk. It makes investments in young, emerging, unlisted companies where there is potential for significant growth, through the successful commercialistion of their IP. Typically, Braveheart's investments are focused on British companies with potential global technology solutions. However, the Group also maintains limited exposure to more traditional businesses. Braveheart's portfolio ranges from start-up companies to businesses which are close to an IPO or sale. Each year out of several hundred-business plans received, around ten investments are made, all of which demonstrate attractive exit potential. These opportunities emanate from Braveheart's network of contacts, which includes the Group's own clients, and close relationships with science parks and universities. Braveheart has formal relationships with seven universities and two business parks, giving it unique access to IP and start-up companies emanating from them. The Alpha EIS Fund ('the Fund') Established in December 2005, the £2.5 million Fund was set up as a tax efficient vehicle to invest in early-stage, university spin out companies, rich in intellectual property, with potential for significant growth, through the commercialisation of their IP. The Fund is managed by Braveheart and participants and co-investors include Bank of Scotland Corporate, Scottish Enterprise's Co-investment Fund and Braveheart's own clients. The Fund will deliver a minimum of ten EIS qualifying investments, sourced through the Group's unique framework of strong formal relationships with Scottish universities and business parks. To date the Fund has made 8 investments from the Alpha Fund, totalling in excess of £1 million. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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