Seedrs to launch in the United States following approval of Jobs Act III rules

• Seedrs to conduct beta launch by making its first campaigns available to US investors within weeks
• Wider Seedrs U.S. launch expected in early 2016
• Announcement comes following U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s vote to adopt rules implementing Title III of the JOBS Act, legalising equity crowdfunding in the United States

Seedrs today announces that it will commence a beta test of its platform in the United States within weeks, following Friday’s vote by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to implement Title III of the JOBS Act.

The beta test will offer US accredited investors the opportunity to invest in selected campaigns listed on Seedrs, with an official launch expected in early 2016.

In late 2014 Seedrs acquired California-based crowdfunding platform Junction Investments in preparation for its push into the United States. It has been working tirelessly in 2015 developing the right approach to commence operation in the United States, as compliance with applicable law has always been a non-negotiable element of Seedrs’s approach to business.

Seedrs has been active in supporting the JOBS Act equity crowdfunding regime with Jeff Lynn, Seedrs CEO, having provided expert testimony to subcommittees of the U.S. House Oversight & Government Reform Committee in September 2011 and the U.S. House Financial Services Committee in May 2014.

Seedrs believes Friday’s SEC vote on Title III of the JOBS Act represents a significant step forward for early-stage and growth-focused businesses that wish to use equity crowdfunding as a platform to raise capital for their businesses.

Jeff Lynn, CEO, Seedrs said: “I have had the privilege of being involved in the lawmaking process for U.S. crowdfunding ever since the JOBS Act was introduced in 2011, and I am very pleased to see that the SEC has finally adopted rules implementing Title III. We believe this heralds the emergence of equity crowdfunding as a vibrant form of finance in the United States -- just as it has become in the UK and Europe -- and Seedrs is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the sector’s growth. The beta testing we are announcing today will be our first foray into the market, and we look forward to growing our presence there significantly in 2016.”



Maven Capital Partners invests £5.4 million in GEV Group

Maven Capital Partners (Maven), one of the UK’s leading Private Equity Houses, is delighted to announce that it has invested £5.4 million in GEV Group (GEV), a fast growing and diversified organisation with a key focus on the renewable sector. The business comprises of four main divisions which operate across multiple markets and global locations; GEV Wind Power, Subsea Masters, Oxifree, and GEV Offshore.

Today’s transaction will provide the business with the additional development capital it needs to support its impressive growth plans. Highly regarded for its project delivery, quality of people and its innovation in its products and processes, GEV is well positioned to capitalise on the projected growth in wind power, driven by global emissions and fossil fuel reduction targets.

Andrew Ferguson, Partner at Maven, said: “The investment in GEV Group has given Maven clients an excellent opportunity to invest in a genuinely niche business, operating across diverse markets and geographies. The management team is highly committed to growing the business and delivering on the Company’s strategic plans, and this is evidenced by their own personal long-term financial commitment to the company.”

David Fletcher, CEO at GEV, said: “We are delighted to announce this significant investment by Maven Capital Partners in our Group. GEV has successfully grown its operations over the past few years and has been successful in retaining a strong presence in its traditional oil and gas markets, together with developing a market leading position in the renewables sector, for the provision of wind turbine blade maintenance activity.”
 
“The investment secured through Maven will provide the catalyst required to fund further expansion in the key areas of our business and allow for the required infrastructure investment to support our growth ambitions.”

The Group’s largest entity, GEV Wind Power, is one of Europe’s leading wind turbine blade inspection and repair specialists. Based in Hull, it has established key relationships with wind farm owners and the World’s leading wind turbine manufacturers.

Its second largest trading business, Subsea Masters, is a skilled engineering provider to the deep water drilling industry and is based in the highly strategic location of Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. It is a key transition point between the major offshore regions of West Africa, Brazil and the Gulf of Mexico; providing a stable and safe environment for rig operators to complete maintenance activity.

The final two entities which make up the wider Group are GEV Offshore and Oxifree. GEV Offshore provides a wide range of services including the supply of project teams for construction, maintenance and asset integrity for the energy services sector. GEV is also the master UK distributor of Oxifree, a cost-effective solution to corrosion problems which creates a protective shield around metals used across a range of industries.

The business has grown significantly in recent years, employing 145 staff and its turnover now exceeds £10 million. Alongside the funding provided which will support CEO David Fletcher deliver his growth plans, Maven made the introduction between GEV and its new Chairman, Ron Smith, who sat on the executive management board of Siemens UK between 1997 and 2010.

Andrew Ferguson, added: “The appointment of Ron Smith as Chairman will be a key asset to GEV. He has an excellent track record in the renewables space, and his skills will help complement the existing impressive executive management team, allowing them to draw on his wealth of experience and success in the sector.”

Dave Howes, Director at JDC Corporate Finance, commented: “I am thrilled to have advised the shareholders and management team on this deal, which represents an exciting step for the business. In Maven, GEV has secured a partner with an excellent pedigree to help them meet their objectives. I look forward to continuing to assist the team, Maven and the business on their exciting growth plans.”

Financial due diligence was conducted by HMT LLP and commercial due diligence by Armstrong Transaction Services; management referencing by Korn Ferry and insurance by JLT Insurance. Legals were undertaken by Gateley PLC. GEV’s management team and vendors were advised by JDC Corporate Finance and Howes Percival.



Calculus Capital invests in Cambridge firm at centre of global multi-media content revolution

Private equity fund manager and Enterprise Investment Scheme specialist Calculus Capital has invested £2.5m in a media technology business that provides multi-media content management systems to leading broadcasters and businesses around the world.  

IPV, which is based in Cambridge’s hi-tech ‘Silicon Fen’ hub, develops software and services that speed up, simplify and efficiently co-ordinate hitherto complicated processes for managing and delivering media content through multiple platforms.

IPV’s software is used by blue chip names in the broadcasting world including CNN, Sony Entertainment and A+E New York, as well as by non-media businesses, such as U.S. retail giant Home Depot, for storing, managing, editing and disseminating content rapidly through multiple media channels. 

Susan McDonald, Chairman of Calculus Capital, said: “IPV is a very exciting business that sits at the heart of a high growth, global sector. It provides market-leading software and technology solutions that help its customers improve their earnings, productivity, effectiveness and reach.

“Increasingly, media organisations are aiming to achieve a ‘Content Factory’ experience – streamlining the creative editorial process and the delivery of content to multiple platforms. IPV’s products help solve this problem, utilising sophisticated techniques for integrating social media analytics and importantly, managing metadata.

“IPV already has many established high profile technology partners and channels to market including OpenText and Adobe”, and importantly, the need for content management is moving beyond traditional broadcasting capabilities. From law courts where proceedings are recorded on video, to large retailers such as Home Depot providing promotional materials and training videos to staff, IPV’s technology is being used by an ever broader client base.”

Calculus’s investment will be used by IPV to fund its continuing global expansion, which has already seen it reach into markets in North America, Europe and the Pacific Rim.

David Cole, IPV’s Chief Executive and Chief Technical Officer, said: “Calculus Capital’s track record of helping established companies take the next step in their development is second-to-none.

“Calculus brings us the financial backing we need to accelerate our expansion, a huge amount of expertise and years of experience helping smaller businesses to grow. We know we will also benefit from this.”

Calculus’s investment in IPV is the second deal it has completed in the space of a few days. On Tuesday (October 27) Calculus announced a £3m investment in Mologic, a Bedford-based developer of diagnostic technologies and devices designed to help patients manage their own conditions.

John Glencross, Calculus Capital Chief Executive, said: “Deal flow continues to be very strong for us. There are a lot of good businesses out there that need funding to help them grow but are not getting it from traditional sources, such as banks. Private equity, directly and through investment vehicles such as EIS and VCTs, is playing an important role in providing much-needed capital to these companies and helping to support the UK economy.”