Led · Equity · Jun 2024

Waterscan provides water-usage optimisation services to businesses, using its Waterline platform and a self-supply model pioneered after market deregulation in 2017. The company supports customers across the UK and focuses on helping organisations meet sustainability goals and optimise water consumption. Management plans to continue investing in Waterline and to broaden its service offering as part of its growth strategy. Waterscan has attracted institutional backing to support organic growth, most recently from LDC. As part of the deal, Neil Penhall was welcomed to the board, bringing additional experience to the team. Working capital facilities for the business were provided by Virgin Money.

Led · Equity · Mar 2020

James and James Fulfilment is a UK-based e-commerce fulfilment platform and service that provides online order fulfilment to e-retailers, including product storage, packing, shipping and returns handling. The company operates from bases in the UK, the USA and New Zealand and is led by Founder and CEO James Hyde, COO Neil Sant and CFO Simon Lisser. Through its cloud-based software platform, ControlPort, clients can fulfil orders from multiple channels and countries in one place and offer live order tracking. ControlPort also delivers data-rich reporting on inventory and SKU performance to help merchants manage stock and grow their businesses. In March 2020 the company raised £11m in funding from LDC (part of Lloyds Banking Group) and intends to use the proceeds to further enhance its software services and operating infrastructure. Its services enable clients to increase order volumes, enhance customer experience, and improve stock and inventory management.

Led · Equity · Feb 2017

Blue Bay Travel operates specialist online travel brands including Caribbean Warehouse and Tropical Warehouse, focusing on destinations such as Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Saint Lucia, the Indian Ocean and the Far East. Founded in 2003, the business serves more than 16,500 passengers per year and reported a 31% increase in bookings in 2016. It employs around 60 people and sells long‑haul and short‑haul holiday packages through its online platform and sales team. The company’s core product is its proprietary price comparison technology and online booking platform, with additional direct-sales collaborations and a white‑label framework called Orcastra. Blue Bay plans to use new funding to accelerate growth by investing in its technology, expanding its team (including more homeworkers), launching new online-only booking facilities and rolling out new products. In 2017 it will launch Xclusivity, a luxury breaks offering for selected destinations, and intends to expand into new countries and destinations.

Led · Equity · Oct 2016

Mitrefinch develops an integrated suite of human capital management software spanning time and attendance, rostering, HR and payroll. Its products are used by more than 3,500 organizations, including SMEs, mid and large corporates, public bodies, charities and universities; customers include L’Oreal, Nestle, Amec Foster Wheeler, DFS, the Forestry Commission and the University of Leicester. The company offers a SaaS offering and a dedicated rostering product and is continuing to expand its overall product suite. Mitrefinch reported revenues of £15m. The firm plans to use proceeds to grow its nascent overseas business in Canada, the US and Australia and to develop new and existing relationships in its established UK business. Management intends to continue investing in product development to support international expansion.

Led · Equity · Sep 2016

Founded in 1991 and based in Wakefield and Nottingham in the UK, Team17 is a games developer and publisher led by CEO Debbie Bestwick MBE and finance director Paul Bray. The company creates and sells a range of titles worldwide through major digital distributors including Sony, Microsoft, Steam, Apple and Google. Best known for the Worms franchise, Team17 also partners with third-party developers to bring their products to market, such as Yooka-Laylee from Playtonic. As part of the transaction, Team17 acquired Mouldy Toof Studios, the developer behind The Escapists. The company intends to use funds to expand its existing games portfolio through planned new releases, develop its publication model, and support overseas growth. No detailed financial metrics were disclosed beyond the reported investment.