Final Results

Eurovestech PLC 15 June 2001 EMBARGOED - Not to be released until 7.00a.m. on 15 June 2001 EUROVESTECH PLC ('Eurovestech' or 'the Company') Preliminary Results for the period ended 31 March 2001 Financial Highlights Preliminary results for the period from 20 January 2000 to 31 March 2001 Eurovestech plc is the AIM-listed development capital fund focused on high technology enterprises. Highlights: * £3.5 million audited uplift in value of investment portfolio. * Three investee companies received investment from third parties at values ranging between three and a half times and sixteen times Eurovestech's cost of investment. * Two further portfolio companies recently received investment by corporations representing critical endorsements of these businesses. * Pre-tax loss for the period of £97,392, significantly better than expectations at time of flotation. Enquiries: Richard Bernstein, Chief Executive, Tel: 00 44+ (0)20 7491- 0770. Chairman's Statement Introduction These are the first full period results since Eurovestech was admitted to AIM in March 2000, raising £7.8 million net of expenses. Together with £2.1 million invested prior to flotation, total funds available for investment were £9.9 million. During the period we invested £5.0 million, leaving us in a strong cash position. We have had access to strong deal flow and have been active: eleven investments in unquoted companies were completed during the period. The portfolio is developing well as our companies continue to make progress. In the period, three of our early investee companies received equity funding from third parties at multiples several times Eurovestech's cost of investment. Since the end of the period, two more of our companies have received investment by corporations that we believe represent critical endorsements of these businesses. Results For the period under review, Eurovestech made a pre-tax loss of £97,392. This equates to less than one percent per annum of the value of the fund or a net cash spend of less than £7,000 per month. This result was significantly better than our expectations at the time of flotation and was achieved as a result of a tight control of costs and realised investment gains on quoted securities of £210,000. Audited net assets as at 31 March 2001 were £13.2 million. Cash balances and short-term liquid investments accounted for £4.9 million. The audited net asset valuation, taking account of third party funding events, resulted in a £3.5 million unrealised surplus being credited to the investment valuation reserve. Portfolio development As our investee companies make strategic and operating progress, this is reflected in the value at which third party investors are prepared to provide equity finance. At the time of our interim results, we reported on a number of these companies. More recently, the following portfolio companies have secured third party funding: Boxmind In March 2001, Boxmind Limited, the provider of on-line lectures by internationally renowned academics received third party equity funding at a pre-money valuation of £8 million, equivalent to in excess of sixteen times Eurovestech's cost of investment. At the time of our interim statement in January we reported that Boxmind received investment from a listed venture capital fund at a pre-money valuation in excess of £3 million. In April 2000, we provided £175,000 seed financing to Boxmind, in return for a 40 per cent interest. We subsequently invested an additional £200,000 at a pre-money valuation of £3.1 million. We believe that Boxmind has recently added further value by strengthening the signing up of internationally renowned academics for its programme of e-lectures to thirty lecturers as against twelve in March, by securing revenue deals and as a result of the imminent launch of its subscription based offer. Adflash In March 2001, Adflash Limited, a company that has developed a technology that dramatically expands advertising real estate on moving objects, received third party funding of £1.7 million. The price paid valued Eurovestech's £150,000 cost of investment at more than £500,000. Lynx We are now pleased to report that in April 2001, a leading US fibre optics manufacturer became shareholders in Lynx Photonic Networks Inc. ('Lynx'), the manufacturer of optical switching communications modules. We believe this represents a critical endorsement of our investment of $1m made in February 2001. Mykindaplace In May 2001, mykindaplace.com, the leading teen girl online magazine with over 750,000 unique users, completed second round funding, with BSkyB participating in the round, which underpins their commitment to the business. We have invested a further £120,000 in this round. Shareholder loyalty scheme As stated at the time of our Interim Statement, the Board envisages that, subject to general market conditions, some of Eurovestech's investee companies may seek a Stock Exchange listing. Where Eurovestech's holding is significant, the Board intends to seek a right for our shareholders to subscribe for shares in our investee companies when they float. Charitable donations Eurovestech made a commitment in its prospectus to donate four million shares to charitable organisations within 24 months of Admission. Richard Bernstein, Chief Executive, who invested £2 million of his own funds in Eurovestech on the same terms as institutional shareholders, also committed to gift four million shares to charitable organisations out of his own personal holding within 18 months of Admission. The company hopes its actions will encourage other companies to follow suit to support charities in this way. Eurovestech and Richard Bernstein are proud to have each contributed a total of 600,000 shares to date to six benevolent organisations to date, namely: Leukaemia Research Fund - The only national UK charity devoted exclusively to improving treatments, finding cures and investigating causes and prevention of cancers of the blood and related conditions, in children and adults. Leuka2000 - Its objectives are to raise money for research into leukaemia and the care of people affected by it and to build a new centre at the Hammersmith Hospital. Merlin Emergency Relief International - a provider of healthcare to the most vulnerable populations around the world. Listening Ear - Provider of free and confidential advice for troubled people in Merseyside. International Paralympic Equestrian Committee - governs and develops equestrian sport for people with disabilities up to Paralympic level. Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy - Nordoff-Robbins therapists work worldwide with a broad range of people, including disabled children, individuals under psychiatric care, self-referred adults seeking a creative approach to emotional difficulties or personal development, and individuals with medical problems and in geriatric care. In the coming months the company and Richard Bernstein intend to make further donations to a selection of charities. Outlook By its very nature, development capital is a medium to long-term business and in recent months we have developed the necessary infrastructure to capitalise on the Company's ability to access strong deal flow and work alongside strong trade partners. We believe that our network of relationships with professional contacts together with the commercial and strategic input we provide, means that we are well-placed to build upon our progress to date. The board is confident in its strategy to develop Eurovestech into a premier European development capital technology fund. Richard Grogan Chairman Audited Profit and Loss Account for the period ended 31 March 2001 Notes Period to 31 March 2001 £ Turnover - continuing operations 2 90,585 Gross profit 90,585 Administrative expenses (538,248) Operating loss - continuing operations (447,663) Net interest 350,271 Loss on ordinary activities before taxation 2 (97,392) Taxation on loss on ordinary activities 3 - Loss on ordinary activities after taxation 5 (97,392) Loss per ordinary share 4 (0.044)p Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses Period to 31 March 2001 £ Loss for the financial period (97,392) Unrealised gain on fixed asset investments 4,125,453 Unrealised loss on fixed asset investments (645,250) Total recognised gains and losses for the period 3,382,811 Audited Balance Sheet at 31 March 2001 Notes 2001 2001 £ £ Fixed assets Tangible assets 46,333 Investments 8,463,652 8,509,985 Current assets Debtors 157,824 Investments 960,335 Cash at bank and in hand 3,930,671 5,048,830 Creditors: amounts falling due within one (348,205) year Net current assets 4,700,625 13,210,610 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 2,213,000 Share premium account 7,614,799 Revaluation reserve 3,480,203 Profit and loss account (97,392) Shareholders' funds 5 13,210,610 Audited Cash Flow Statement For the period ended 31 March 2001 Notes Period to 31 March 2001 £ Net cash outflow from operating activities 6 (452,174) Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received and similar income 353,059 Interest paid (2,788) Net cash inflow from returns on investment and 350,271 servicing of finance Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (61,159) Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and financial investment (61,159) Acquisitions Purchase of fixed asset investments (4,983,449) Net cash outflow from acquisitions (4,983,449) Management of liquid resources Purchase of current asset investments (5,797,214) Sale of investments 5,046,597 Net cash outflow from management of liquid resources (750,617) Net cash outflow before financing (5,897,128) Financing Issue of shares 10,220,992 Expenses paid in connection with share issues (393,193) Net cash inflow from financing 9,827,799 Increase in cash 7 3,930,671 Notes to the preliminary announcement 1. Basis of preparation The preliminary announcement has been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and under the historical cost convention except that investments are stated at valuation. 2. Segmental information Turnover and loss before taxation are wholly attributable to the principal activity of the company. All turnover originates from the UK. The analysis of geographical market by destination is given below. Period Ended 31 March 2001 £ UK 70,000 Other EC Countries 20,585 90,585 3. Tax on loss on ordinary activities No taxation is expected to arise on the result for the period. 4. Loss per share The calculation of loss per share is based on the loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of £97,392 divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period, being 220,701,639 shares. Warrants outstanding at the period end were anti-dilutive. 5. Reconciliation of movements in shareholders' funds 2001 £ Loss for the financial period (97,392) Other recognised gains and losses 3,480,203 Issue of shares 9,827,799 At 31 March 2001 13,210,610 6. Net cash outflow from operating activities Period to 31 March 2001 £ Operating loss (447,663) Depreciation 14,826 Profit on sale of current asset investments (209,718) Increase in debtors (157,824) Increase in creditors 348,205 Net cash outflow from continuing operating activities (452,174) 7. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt Period to 31 March 2001 £ Increase in cash in the period 3,930,671 8. Publication of non-statutory accounts The financial information set out in this preliminary announcement does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The summarised balance sheet at 31 March 2001 and the summarised profit and loss account, summarised cash flow statement and associated notes for the period then ended have been extracted from the Company's period ended 31 March 2001 statutory financial statements upon which the auditors opinion is unqualified and does not include any statement under Section 237 of the Companies Act 1985. 9. Annual Report and Accounts The annual report and accounts for the period ended 31 March 2001 will be sent to shareholders shortly and will be available from the company's registered office, 29 Curzon Street, London W1Y 2AE.
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