SIB makes appeal to international VC investors to put Scotland on agenda

The Scottish Investment Bank (SIB), the investment arm of Scottish Enterprise, will today tell a group of high-profile international venture capital fund managers that Scotland is the UK’s most vibrant location for risk capital investment outside the ‘Golden Triangle’ of London, the South East and the East of England, at an event co-hosted with the European Investment Fund (EIF) at Scotland House in London.

Organised in response to the high level of interest from funders that has been shown for the new Scottish European Growth Co-Investment Programme (SEGCP); a joint Scottish Enterprise and European Investment Fund initiative of £100m which leverages private sector monies – the event is aiming to bring the programme to £200m.

Today’s gathering will look to put a spotlight on the Scottish market and investment opportunities and is part of a wider approach to attract international investors and facilitate even stronger connections with London-based investor community and beyond.

The initiative allows Scottish companies to seek later stage investment from EIF accredited fund managers, which will then be matched by Scottish Enterprise and the EIF.

Scottish Enterprise works with companies to help them to identify appropriate fund managers and prepare for securing investment.

Companies looking for significant investment are now able to access an additional £200m through this programme; the first part of the Scottish Growth Scheme, a £500m financial package backed by the Scottish Government, to help businesses thrive and grow.

In 2016, Scotland’s risk capital market witnessed the highest number of investment deals on record – an increase of 33 per cent on the year before. 2017 results to date indicate a continuation of this trend and this additional funding will help to build on this track record.

Kerry Sharp, director of the Scottish Investment Bank, said: “We work with a diverse investor base and are making solid progress increasing the supply of investment capital into Scotland. The launch of the SEGCP earlier this year presents a further opportunity to collaborate with the EIF and international investors to secure even more later stage investment into Scottish companies. We are continuing to encourage Scottish companies interested in equity to grow or scale their businesses to contact SIB to discuss their funding ambitions.”