FundedByMe Appoints New Country Manager For Finland

Crowdfunding platform FundedByMe is strengthening its team in Finland with the appointment of Niclas Ahlström as Finland’s Country Manager from 25 August. 

”Kristiina Pääkkönen who has been our Finnish Country Manager since January 2013 has been critical to our Finnish success and we could not have done this without her however as she is now moving on in her career we are very happy to announce that Niclas Ahlström will be joining FundedByMe as our new Country Manager for Finland. Niclas joins with experience from both the financial and entrepreneurial  world coupled with an international background and strong network, all in all a fantastic match” says Pontus Frohde, FundedByMe COO. 

“I’m really excited about FundedByMe and my new role as Finland’s Country Manager. I strive to help Finnish companies succeed and bring together people who will give rise to the best new ideas together”, says Niclas Ahlström.

Swedish FundedByMe has become an established name in the Finnish crowdfunding field, and the platform has provided funding for e.g. Goodio Goods, Pieni piiri, Relax Ally, Yoogaia, Beibamboo and Plastex. Crowdfunded Goodio Cools coconut milk ice-cream was launched on the market at the end of July.  ”Finland is our second biggest market in everything we do and in certain areas Finland is leading the way; Finnish companies are generating more cross-boarder investments compared to any other nation within FundedByMe”, says Pontus Frohde.

”Finland has already had two Venture Capitalist companies investing in FundedByMe cases post the crowd, which is validating our own plans of working closer with and partnering with the Venture Capitalist Industry” Pontus Frohde says. Latest news are from Yoogaia raising 2,7 M€ last week.

Kristiina Pääkkönen, who initially brought FundedByMe to Finland and served as the company’s Country Manger for 2,5 years, is now an entrepreneur mentoring the marketing efforts of startups. She divides her time between communications consultancy MEMEgroup and IR platform InvestorEye, which will be launched in the end of August.

 
Powered Now reaches £350k target on Crowdcube

Pitch stays open for overfunding

Teignmouth, Devon – 24 August 2015: Tech start-up Powered Now with its mobile admin app for tradesmen, has successfully hit its crowdfunding target of £350,000 in its second raise on Crowdcube and the pitch is now overfunding. The money will be used to further market and develop its app for tradesmen and field trade companies, simplifying administration and eliminating paperwork.

The Crowdcube campaign attracted 167 investors who invested amounts ranging from £10 to £50,000 with an average of £2,100. There is 11% equity on offer and the pitch will stay open for further investment until mid-September, with a corresponding increase in equity.

Benjamin Dyer, co-founder and CEO of Powered Now says:

“Having raised nearly £600k a year ago we are delighted that existing stakeholders are keen to put money in a second time and they are joined by 80% of new investors. Since our last fund raise around 30,000 trade companies have downloaded the product, while our paying customers are shooting up with over 10% in the US. Thanks to the spend on product development and the launch of a new version, Apple recently featured Powered Now as a best business app, so we are confident that we have the right product at the right time.

The Powered Now app works on iPhones, iPads and Android, providing a comprehensive admin toolkit for every step, from booking an appointment, and preparing an estimate through to taking payment (by credit/debit card or PayPal). It even works when there’s no wi-fi signal, and automatically backs up all information whenever there is a connection. Everything is designed to minimise the number of times that you need to enter information; once it’s entered, it never needs to be put in again. Data can also be exported for accountants and book-keepers.

 
Bunzl recommended as a ‘buy’ following positive first half results

·         First half profit climbed 11%, helped by a weakness in sterling against the dollar

·         The distribution and outsourcing group lifted its interim dividend by 7%

As Bunzl reports its half year results, Ian Forrest, investment research analyst at The Share Centre, explains what they mean for investors.

“This morning, distribution and outsourcing group Bunzl reported its first half results, which were marginally positive. Inclusive of announcements of four acquisitions, Bunzl revealed an 11% increase in profits, a 7% rise in revenues and good news for investors with an increase in the interim dividend which was up 7% to 11.7p.

“The group has produced yet another good set of results which we believe is a combination of its organic growth, commitment to improving its ongoing operations and constant acquisitions activity. Bunzl’s approach of making acquisitions to boost revenue and profit continues to work well, and this has led to its improved dividends for investors and a strong share price performance.

“It is worth reminding that the company has a global presence, which has protected it from regions that have suffered more in recent times, such as Europe. However, the recent weakness in sterling against the dollar will benefit results. With the group’s continued success in its sector and bright prospects ahead, we currently recommend Bunzl as a ‘buy’. This is a stock for lower risk investors looking to achieve a balanced portfolio.”