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
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