Albion Community Power (ACP), the power generation company, has invested £1.8m in partnership with Welsh developer Infinite Renewables to fund the development of a 500kW single wind turbine on a freehold site in Tredegar, in South Wales.

The site is located on the land next to Waldron Commercials, Tafarnaubach Industrial Estate.  The turbine is expected to produce its first power in the summer of 2015 and is predicted to generate over 1,400MWh of electricity per year.  ACP, which is the majority shareholder in the project, has forecasted an inflation linked IRR of 13% for a period of 20 years.

This is ACP's second 500kW wind turbine investment having invested £1.5m with Infinite Renewables in February this year to fund the development of a 500kw single wind turbine in Blaencilgoed, South Wales. 

Foresight announces successful sale of Channel Technical Services Ltd, supporting full repayment of Foresight shareholder loans

Foresight Group (Foresight) is delighted to announce on behalf of the boards of Foresight VCT plc Planned Exit and Foresight 2 VCT plc Planned Exit (together the Foresight funds) that it has completed the successful sale of Channel Technical Services Ltd, the 100% owned subsidiary of Channel Safety Systems Group Limited ("CSSG").

This has enabled the full repayment of Foresight funds' shareholder loans in CSSG. Foresight funds' significant minority equity stake in CSSG remains unchanged.  

Combined with interest payments, Foresight funds' investment in the MBI of CSSG in December 2010 has now returned 1.21x cost in cash, with no reduction in equity holding. 

James Livingston, Director of Foresight and of CSSG commented "We are delighted that the strategic decision of the management team to spin out the service business of CSSG has delivered such value to shareholders. We are confident that CSSG, which is now a focused lighting, safety and security products business, will continue on its growth trajectory and we look forward to supporting the management team in achieving their goals."

Balderton Capital targets investments in France

Balderton Capital, a leading European venture capital firm, re-iterated its strong links with the French technology sector today with the appointment of Nicolas Debock as a dedicated Principal for the country.

 Balderton Capital was founded in 2001, and counts amongst its General Partners Bernard Liautaud, who founded one of France's most significant technology companies, Business Objects. Balderton has invested in many companies founded by French entrepreneurs and with operations in France, including Vestiaire Collective, Talend, Sketchfab and Sunrise. In recent years, the French web and tech ecosystem has seen increased momentum, particularly in Paris, where a number of incubators, accelerators and shared working spaces are helping to create and grow start-ups.  This is being echoed in major regional centres such as Lyon, Nantes, Toulouse and Lille which are developing their own ecosystems.  This rich environment for growth, producing international companies such as Blablacar or Neolane, has encouraged Balderton to appoint a dedicated representative, who will spend the majority of his time based in France.

Strong demand for investment in UK regions drives £30m British Smaller Companies VCT fundraising

 YFM Equity Partners announces the opening of a £30m fundraising for top performing generalist Venture Capital Trust, British Smaller Companies VCT plc (BSC VCT) and its sister fund British Smaller Companies VCT2 plc (BSC2 VCT) (together BSC VCTs).

The improved economic climate and a strong pipeline of demand from UK regional businesses is the key driver for this year's fundraising. From July 2013 to date, BSC VCTs have invested £32.2m into 10 businesses across the UK.

David Hall, Managing Director at YFM Equity Partners said: "Demand for equity investment from UK regional businesses is back to pre-2008 levels. Daily our regional teams are speaking with bosses of thriving businesses seeking extra cash to transform their businesses, taking advantage of the upturn in the economy and driving for the much needed production efficiencies that UK plc needs. From manufacturing businesses in the north to services and retail brands further south, the UK regions are a hot bed of growth. We need to raise £30m to meet this demand."