GrowthBusiness.co.uk: Your gateway to entrepreneurial success
Simon Daniel
Back to the future
Now the recession is apparently over, global companies are back to thinking about the future...
Mergers & Acquisitions
Bowmark backs Leaders buy-out
Lettings and property agency Leaders has been acquired in a £48 million management buy-out backed by Bowmark Capital. Thursday, 18th March 2010
Green light for Friends Reunited deal
Online information business Brightsolid has been given the official go-ahead for the acquisition of Friends Reunited Group for £25 million. Thursday, 18th March 2010
Hotbed backs Wheatley MBO
Wheatley Associates, a specialist software company, has undergone a management buy-out backed by private investor syndicate Hotbed. Tuesday, 16th March 2010
NVM buys stake in Lanner as 3i exits
Mid-market investor NVM has bought a minority stake in software developer Lanner Group as the company's previous backer 3i exits the business. Monday, 15th March 2010
Barclays Private Equity sells Deb Group
Charterhouse Capital Partners has acquired Deb Group, a maker of skin safety products, from Barclays Private Equity for £325 million. Wednesday, 3rd March 2010
Sovereign backs Euro Environmental MBO
Drain and sewer company Euro Environmental Group has been sold in a £20 million management buy-out backed by Sovereign Capital. Tuesday, 2nd March 2010
Investors celebrate ApaTech sale
ApaTech, a specialist in bone repair technology, is to be sold for up to $330 million (£220 million) in a big win for its investors. Tuesday, 2nd March 2010
Synseal Extrusions in MBO
Private equity house HIG Europe has acquired Synseal Extrusions, a supplier of doors, windows and conservatories. Thursday, 25th February 2010
3i-backed SLR buys Heggies
Environmental consultancy SLR, in which private equity investor 3i holds a minority stake, has acquired Australian firm Heggies. Monday, 22nd February 2010
Driving school in administration
Insolvency firm MCR has been appointed to find a buyer for LVG, a driving school and instructor training business. Thursday, 18th February 2010
Deal Zone AIM, VC and PLUS deals as they happen
| Company | Industry | Market | Raised | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherborne Investors (Guernsey A) | Finance | AIM | £105m | Mar 2010 |
| Digital Barriers | Finance | AIM | £20m | Mar 2010 |
| Jeyes | Health | VC | £20 million | Feb 2010 |
| PrismTech | Software/IT | VC | £1.5 million | Feb 2010 |
| iVision UK | Cleantech | VC | £700,000 | Feb 2010 |
| Equatorial Palm Oil | Food | AIM | £6.5m | Feb 2010 |
| Synseal Extrusions | Textiles | VC | Undisclosed | Feb 2010 |
| Mi-Pay | Investment | VC | £3 million | Feb 2010 |
Hiscox Business Insurance
Life’s full of uncertainties, but you never want to be in any doubt about your business insurance. Hiscox offers broad and inclusive business insurance available online. You can tailor a policy to suit your business needs from a broad range of covers. Find out more.
Secure early payment for your unpaid invoices with Simply Business
Simply Business works with a carefully selected panel of the UK's leading factoring and invoice discounting providers. Find out your cash flow options in minutes, you could have 90% of your invoices paid in 24 hours. To find out more click here
Selecting the right IT strategy in 2010
Owner managers and CEOs of fast-growing companies want IT-applications that accelerate competitive advantage and improve operational efficiency. This free whitepaper helps you plan and choose the right IT strategy for your business in 2010. Download ‘Selecting The Right Software Vendor’.
Research
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What should an AIM company pay its CEO or FD?
What should a non-executive director or chairman expect to be paid?
What benchmarks should AIM remuneration committee members be using when
setting pay?
VCT Special Report 2009
This reports principle aim is to provide business owners seeking funding with information about the amount of funds that VCTs have to invest.
Cash Shells Special Report 2009
A comprehensive overview of cash shells on AIM and PLUS, companies that have become a significant feature on the market landscape.
Store
AIM Guide 2009/2010
The 2009/2010 AIM Guide contains essential information for anyone interested in the Alternative Investment Market.
Business XL
Business XL is written by leaders for leaders. The magazine is a fountain of inside information and knowledge, which can only be delivered by people who have started, bought and grown their own business.
M&A Magazine
M&A Magazine is the leading mid-market monthly corporate finance publication in the UK.
Free Whitepaper - Accelerating the nerve centre of the SOA
A free white paper from Intel, discussing how SOA Expressway will continue to evolve, providing new capabilities to further support Cloud computing and other hosted delivery models. Download this free whitepaper.
Get started with Barclays Business Banking
Choose from 3 great Start-up packages offering a range of business and banking solutions, from cashflow management software (QuickBooks or Sage) to VAT management solution. Plus, up to 2 years FREE banking (conditions apply). Apply online.
Advice and strategic insights for CEOs and entrepreneurs
Receive free weekly news, advice and strategic insight for CEOs and entrepreneurs growing their businesses. Find out more or sign up today.
Other news
Record output at Cluff
Potential bid candidate Cluff Gold produced 19,288 oz of gold in West Africa in the first two months of the year. SMALL-CAP SPOTLIGHT / Friday, 19th March 2010
Brainspark takes football stake
As foreshadowed in the latest Growth Company Investor, investment minnow Brainspark is buying into Italian football club AC Ancona. SMALL-CAP SPOTLIGHT / Friday, 19th March 2010
New hope for China Evoline
AIM shell China Evoline is understood to be contemplating the injection of some Chinese mining assets. SMALL-CAP SPOTLIGHT / Thursday, 18th March 2010
Kromek raises Series D round
A Durham University spin-out with technology to help detect terrorist threats is now valued at £52 million following a fourth round of financing. Fundraising Deals / Thursday, 18th March 2010
Avocet targets growth after setback
Gold producer Avocet Mining hopes its Wega acquisition will take 2010 group output to 200,000 oz after a flat nine months. SMALL-CAP SPOTLIGHT / Thursday, 18th March 2010
Interim progress at Ultimate Finance
Small and medium sized company financier Ultimate Finance has increased first-half profits 36 per cent to £191,000 pre-tax. SMALL-CAP SPOTLIGHT / Thursday, 18th March 2010
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Blogs
Nick Britton
Off message
Mar 10 2010Those who shout loudest don't always perform best, and this is as true of businesses as it is of people.
Simon Daniel
Back to the future
Mar 03 2010Now the recession is apparently over, global companies are back to thinking about the future again.
Michael Jackson
Get the right exit price
Feb 10 2010It's more important than ever for those selling their business to think about the key points the buyer will find attractive.
Chris Ingram
Where football meets business
Mar 16 2010A love of football starts in childhood and, in a sense, never really leaves there. Footie is pure fantasy where club owners, players and fans lose themselves in the pursuit of the next win.
Videos
Punch above your weight
Jos White, who sold his company MessageLabs for $695 million, on why it's so important to act like a bigger business than you really are.
Meeting menaces: The Waffler
More tips from John Cleese, who reveals how to stop a waffler in full flow.
Reducing energy usage
Ian Cheshire, chairman of B&Q, explains how the store has saved 10,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
