Interim Results

Eurovestech PLC 29 January 2001 For Immediate Release 29th January, 2001 EUROVESTECH PLC ('Eurovestech' or 'the Company') Interim results for the period from 20th January, 2000 to 30th September, 2000 Eurovestech plc, the AIM listed pan-European technology fund is pleased to announce its first results since flotation. * Profit before tax: £23,000. * Nine investments made during the period. Three of the earlier investee companies have received subsequent third-party funding at values several times subscription prices paid by Eurovestech. Other portfolio companies in discussions with prospective investors at valuations in excess of subscription prices paid by Eurovestech. * Two-thirds of total funds raised available for investment. * Chief Executive invested £2 million of his own funds immediately ahead of the IPO on the same terms as institutional shareholders. * Appointment of Alfred Elbrick, senior investment banker as non-executive director. Mr Elbrick is based in Deutsche Bank's London office and has been involved with many technology IPO's including Microsoft, Oracle, Sun Microsystems, Computer Associates and Infosys. Richard Bernstein, Eurovestech's Chief Executive, commented: 'We are encouraged with Eurovestech's progress, both in relation to the positioning of the portfolio and in terms of recent third-party funding valuations achieved by investee companies. Our focus on rigorous financial analysis has served us well. Since September our purchasing power has increased dramatically. This is allowing us to make high quality investments at values that increase our potential long-term upside. We remain well-placed to capitalise on our access to top quality deal flow. The board is confident about Eurovestech's prospects.' Enquiries: Eurovestech plc Richard Bernstein, Chief Executive Tel: 020 7491 0770 Chairman's statement Introduction Eurovestech floated on AIM on 13 March 2000, raising £7.8 million net of expenses. Together with £2.1 million invested prior to flotation, total funds available for investment were approximately £9.9 million. Despite the market euphoria at the time, we adopted a measured and cautious approach, based on rigorous financial analysis and clearly identifiable and sustainable revenue and profit streams. Our access to what we consider to be exceptionally strong deal flow allowed us to be active, completing nine investments in as many months and investing £3.1 million. Our commitment and determination to grow Eurovestech into a premier European venture capital technology fund is demonstrated by the decision of Richard Bernstein, our Chief Executive, to invest £2 million of his own money on the same terms as institutional shareholders. We are unaware of any other investment fund in the UK or Europe where the Chief Executive is so financially committed to delivering shareholder value, with such closely aligned interests. Results For the period under review, Eurovestech made a pre-tax profit of £23,000. Our tight control of costs is demonstrated by monthly total operating costs in the period under review of just £28,000. As at 30 September 2000, net assets were £9.9 million and cash balances were £6.6 million. No account is taken of increases in the value of investments until such time as there is a disposal of shares. Current trading and operations The portfolio of companies in which Eurovestech has equity holdings is making good progress. Despite the short period since making these investments and a widely acknowledged savage correction in the valuation of technology businesses generally, we have seen three of our earlier investee companies receive investment from third parties at multiples several times above Eurovestech's cost of investment. In April 2000 we provided £175,000 seed financing to Boxmind Limited, an on-line academic search directory, in return for a 40 per cent interest. We are now pleased to report that Boxmind has subsequently received investment from a listed venture capital fund at a pre-money valuation in excess of £3 million, equivalent to seven times Eurovestech's cost of investment. In recent weeks, we believe that Boxmind has added further value by securing revenue deals and further strengthening the signing up of internationally renowned academics for its programme of e-lectures. In February 2000 we invested £250,000 in ITM Activate Limited, the on-line provider of goods and services to the UK student population. In June 2000, Activate signed an exclusive long-term alliance with the National Union of Students, covering more than three million students. In September 2000, ITM Activate raised £5 million from institutional investors at a pre-money valuation in excess of three and a half times Eurovestech's cost of investment. In March 2000 Eurovestech invested £150,000 in Adflash Limited, a company that has developed a technology that dramatically expands advertising real estate on moving objects. In July 2000, Adflash received funding into one of its subsidiaries at twice the value of Eurovestech's holding in Adflash. Earlier this month, we were advised by Adflash that it has received pledges for an injection of funding at more than five times the pre-money valuation paid by Eurovestech. Other portfolio companies are currently in discussions with prospective investors at valuations in excess of subscription prices paid by Eurovestech. Recent investments In September 2000, Eurovestech invested £344,000 in Easy Business S.A., a Paris based software company that provides customisable software platforms for the creation and hosting of secure e-commerce sites. Easy Business is currently in discussions regarding partnership agreements with a major web-hosting company that will encompass several leading French banks. In October 2000, Eurovestech invested $300,000 in Israeli based Tevet Process Control Technologies Limited. Tevet has developed a measurement system for measuring, monitoring and controlling production parameters for the manufacturer of silicon wafers. Tevet's initial funding included investment from the Office of the Chief Scientist of Israel. Staff In recent months we have made a number of important appointments, designed to assist the Company's ability to achieve its objective of delivering enhanced shareholder value. We now employ eight people, as against two at the time of flotation. We believe our progress to date is a reflection of the diligence and efforts of our team. Loyalty Scheme to Shareholders The Board envisages that, subject to general market conditions, some of Eurovestech's investee companies may seek a Stock Exchange listing. Where Eurovestech holds a significant interest in such companies, it is the Board's intention wherever possible to seek a right for our shareholders to subscribe for shares in our investee companies when they float. Further details will be made available at the time of the first such offering. Outlook As well as the third party financial endorsement of many of our investments, we are encouraged by the quality of investment opportunities that we are currently assessing. We believe that many of these deals are unavailable to the investment community in general and are being offered to us largely as a result of the added value that we have been able to demonstrate in terms of our commercial and strategic input, the calibre of our team and our strong network of relationships with professional contacts. We believe we are well-placed to build upon our progress to date and we look forward to the coming months with confidence. Richard Grogan Chairman 29 January, 2001 Unaudited Profit and loss account For the period ended 30th September, 2000 Period to Note 30th September 2000 (Unaudited) £ Turnover 62,000 Gross profit 62,000 Administrative expenses (233,962) Operating loss (171,962) Income from other fixed/current asset investments 278 Other interest receivable and similar income 195,388 Interest payable and similar charges (761) Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 22,943 Tax on profit on ordinary activities - Profit transferred to reserves 22,943 Fully diluted and basic earnings per share 2 0.01p Unaudited Balance sheet For the period ended 30th September, 2000 Period to 30th September 2000 (unaudited) £ Fixed assets Tangible assets 32,700 Investments 3,060,391 3,093,091 Current assets Debtors 198,233 Investments 178,563 Cash at bank and in hand 6,563,590 6,940,386 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (168,511) Net current assets 6,771,875 Total assets less current liabilities 9,864,966 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 2,207,000 Share premium account 7,635,023 Profit and loss account 22,943 Shareholders' funds 9,864,966 Unaudited Cash flow statement For the period ended 30th September, 2000 Note Period to 30th September 2000 (unaudited) £ Net cash outflow from operating activities 3 (217,353) Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 195,388 Interest paid (761) Dividends received 278 Net cash inflow from returns on investments and 194,905 servicing of finance Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (38,619) Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and (38,619) financial investment Acquisitions Purchase of fixed asset investments (3,060,391) Management of liquid resources Purchase of current asset investments (1,147,238) Sale of investments 990,263 Net cash outflow from management of liquid resources (156,975) Financing Issue of shares 10,214,992 Expenses paid in connection with share issues (372,969) Net cash inflow from financing 9,842,023 Increase in cash 4 6,563,590 Notes to the Interim Results For the period ended 30th September, 2000 1. Basis of preparation The interim financial information, which is unaudited, has been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and under the historical cost convention, which will be adopted and used in the full financial statements when published. The financial information set out in this document does not comprise the statutory accounts of the Company within the meaning of section 240(5) of the Companies Act 1985. 2. Earnings per share The calculation of earnings per share is based on the profit on ordinary activities for the period from 20th January 2000 to 30th September 2000 of £22,943 and ordinary shares of 179,925,000 being the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period. 3. Net cash outflow from operating activities Period to 30th September 2000 (unaudited) £ Operating loss (171,962) Depreciation 5,919 Profit on sale of investments (21,588) Increase in debtors (198,233) Increase in creditors 168,511 Net cash outflow from continuing operating activities (217,353) 4. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds Period to 30th September 2000 (unaudited) £ Increase in cash in the period 6,563,590 Cash outflow from increase in liquid resources 156,975 Change in net funds resulting from cashflows 6,720,565 Other non-cash items 21,588 Movement in net funds in the period 6,742,153 Net funds at 30th September, 2000 6,742,153 5. Analysis of changes in net funds (unaudited) Cash flow Non-cash Period to £ Items 30th September £ 2000 £ Cash in hand and at bank 6,563,590 - 6,563,590 Current asset investments 156,975 21,588 178,563 6,720,565 21,588 6,742,153 6. Copies of the interim financial statements Copies of the interim financial statements will be sent to shareholders and copies are available on request from the Company's registered office at 29 Curzon Street, London W1Y 7AE.
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