Potential Strategic Investor

Spark Ventures PLC
09 January 2008



                               SPARK Ventures PLC

             Potential new issue of equity to a strategic investor


The Directors would like to update shareholders on recent preliminary
discussions which have been taking place with a potential strategic, long term
international investor. This may or may not lead to a substantial new investment
in the Company and a collaboration for fund management of joint funds in the
future. The collaboration would exploit the benefits of SPARK's management of a
broad portfolio of technology and Life Science companies, along with access to
intellectual property from leading UK academic institutions, and combine them
with partners who can provide access for those companies to high growth
international markets. It is currently envisaged that this new investment
would be in the range of £15 - £20 million and priced at a significant premium
to the current share price. These negotiations are at an early stage so there
can be no certainty that this investment will be made or on what terms.

Such an investment would require shareholder approval to increase the Directors
authority to allot the necessary share capital as it is envisaged that this
investment in the Company would result in the issue of new shares. However, in
the light of these negotiations, the Company has not been able to perform share
buy-backs. The Directors believe that the net asset value reported in the
interim statement dated 20th December 2007 of 15.5p has not materially altered,
and that the Company will be free to make buy-backs subsequent to this
announcement. A further announcement will be made in due course.




Enquiries:

SPARK Ventures plc
Andrew Carruthers 020 7851 7777

Collins Stewart Europe Limited - Nominated Adviser
Seema Paterson 020 7523 8321


About SPARK Ventures

SPARK Ventures is the leading quoted early-stage venture capital company in
Europe managing £225 million on behalf of major institutional investors, leading
UK universities, and three quoted venture capital trusts.

SPARK invests in entrepreneurs to create dynamic businesses in the technology,
media, telecoms and healthcare & life sciences sectors. As well as capital, it
brings a wealth of experience of developing high growth companies from early
stage through to IPO or trade sale, adding value to its investments through
active support and strategic direction.



SPARK's focus is on building great companies from small beginnings: its
experience blends ambition with the strategic, financial and commercial skills
that enable it to maximise returns, both for investors and for portfolio
companies.



Some of our exits include Mergermarket, Lastminute.com, Footfall, Pricerunner,
Elata, Glycart, OHM and Avidex.



www.SPARKventures.com


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