UK manufacturing receives boost as BGF backs VTL Group with £4m investment

Business Growth Fund (BGF), the independent company established to help Britain's growing businesses, today announced its investment in VTL Group, a manufacturer of precision-engineered components for the automotive industry.

BGF has invested £4m of growth capital in the company and will take a minority stake and a seat on VTL's existing board.

Mercia Fund Management makes first digital sector investment with Metric

Venture capital fund manager Mercia Fund Management (MFM) today announced a Seed Enterprise Investment (SEIS) in online marketing start-up Metric. Set to launch in January 2014, the company offers a suite of tools to create, manage and analyse e-marketing campaigns and promotions in real time.

Albion Ventures invests in Relayware

Albion Ventures, one of the UK's largest independent venture capital investors, has invested up to £3.5 million in Relayware a global provider of B2B collaboration and multi-channel communication solutions.

The investment will enable Relayware to accelerate its growth and extend its lead in technological innovation.

Graphite Capital raises £475m for UK mid-market fund

Graphite Capital, the leading UK mid-market private equity specialist, has closed its eighth fund, Graphite Capital Partners VIII, with commitments of £475 million
Further commitments are likely to come in over the next few weeks bringing the total to over £500 million.

Despite the extremely challenging fund-raising environment, Graphite was able to reach its target relatively quickly.