Working with investors
External investment is clearly a key element to the growth and future success of many of the companies based at the Innovation Centre. While direct financial investment is not something that the Centre can offer ourselves, we frequently accept small equity participation as a part of our relationship with companies. We work regularly with a range on individual "sophisticated" angel investors and investment funds.
At any one time 20% of our businesses are actively seeking equity investment. Sums may range from £50,000 for a marketing push or proof of concept on a new product to £5 million for clinical trials of a pharmaceutical product. Investment needs therefore range from "seed" to "development capital" across all technology sectors. On average about £2 to 3 million is invested each year into Innovation Centre companies. Around 10% of our companies have achieved multi-million pound valuations, of which half have had successful exits.
The support emphasis at the Centre is about bringing together the many different elements that are needed to accelerate a new business, on the financial side this will include accounts management, banking relations, cash control, access to grants etc - not just developing investment proposals. Similarly, we understand the importance of reference customer sites and proven early revenue for investors so we put a great deal of emphasis on helping to find the first customers for our companies.
We know that their investors value the strategic and practical support that we provide.
For more information on investing in Innovation Centre companies contact the executive director, Mike Herd - mike@sinc.co.uk
