investment

Investors Keeping An “Open Mind” About Brexit

Investors Keeping An “Open Mind” About Brexit

Shane Donnelly April 10, 2017 News

UK investors are keeping an open mind about the impact of Brexit, with a significant number seeing life outside the EU as an opportunity for investment– according to a report by Market Financial Solutions. Their survey of 1,000 UK investors revealed that just 9% believe the triggering of Article 50 has derailed their plans for the next two years, with 39% viewing the next 24 months as good time for short-term investment. With business rates set to increase by as much as 18% over the next five years, 37% of respondents currently view buy-to-let as an attractive investment, while 45% are now more open to other investment classes because of low interest rates. Despite the relative optimism among those surveyed, 33% are only taking a short-term approach to investments – a signal of how politic... »

Small Business Investment Options: A Legal Perspective

Small Business Investment Options: A Legal Perspective

Karen Holden February 10, 2017 Finance

Many businesses need investment to be able to develop their product, launch it to market or expand into new markets. The common route is to get an equity share or bank loan – but whilst these are readily available options, they are not without pitfalls and obstacles. As a leading entrepreneur law firm we have worked with many companies, investors and financial groups looking for investment. This has given us a unique perspective on the risks and benefits of the different options available (from a legal and operational perspective). Our view is that before entering into any form of investment negotiation businesses must be armed with all the facts and options and, at the same time, fully understand their own needs. So what the top options available to you? Below we have outlined six o... »

A Third of Small Businesses Have Never Changed Finance Provider

January 15, 2015 News

Firms that do switch are turning to alternative lending, with two fifths believing it to be cheaper A third (37%) of small and medium-sized firms have never changed finance provider, according to a new survey, so are potentially missing out on better rates and alternative offerings due to complacency. The research, provided by Close Brothers Invoice Finance (CBIF), revealed that of the small and medium enterprises that have switched, a third have chosen to go with an alternative finance provider rather than a traditional lender – with the CBIF revealing that invoice finance is the most popular choice. Two fifths of the companies that switched believed alternative lenders would be cheaper and 37% of firms felt they were more flexible. For the companies failing to switch, the main reasons be... »

UK Businesses Could be Losing Out on Savings of £1bn

November 4, 2014 News

Failure to adopt effective approach to facilities management could be costing small businesses approximately £120,000 Small businesses could be losing out on collective savings of £1bn as research reveals that 26% of organisations are failing to manage their facilities effectively. The research, conducted by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and featuring 707 private and public firms, found that businesses not taking a strategic approach to facility management are costing themselves an average of £120,000. Facility management involves purposefully coordinating a business’ premises, people, and resources; and according to the RICS’ findings the hesitation to invest time and money in creating a strategic facilities management plan is the main reason why companies are missin... »

Majority of Small Businesses Plan to Invest in their Firms in the Next Three Months

October 31, 2014 News

Marketing and promotions identified as most popular areas for businesses to invest finance in 59% of small and mid-sized companies plan to reinvest profits back into their business over the next three months, according to a new report published by the Bank Financial Services Group (BFS). The survey featured over 1,000 businesses with turnovers of up to £25m and asked recipients in June if they planned to invest in the three months up to October. Further to the findings, an additional report, conducted by Conference Genie, examined which specific industries small businesses were planning to invest in across 2014. The report discovered that the majority of small and mid-sized businesses in the retail, technology and travel sectors plan to pump finance into marketing and promotions; whereas f... »

Majority of Investors Still Unaware of Small Business Tax Relief Schemes

October 30, 2014 News

Only 11% of survey respondents would invest in a UK start-up as report reveals lack of knowledge of government schemes EIS and SEIS According to a new report conducted by YouGov, only 13% of small business investors are aware of available government tax relief schemes. Despite widespread coverage and an increase in the number of small businesses making use of schemes, the investment community remain unaware of schemes such as the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS). Launched 10 years ago, EIS provides an initial 30% tax relief on investments up to £1m for companies not listed on the stock market. SEIS targets early seed-stage companies and offers investors 50% income tax relief. There is no capital gains tax on profits or inheritance tax for ... »

Business Funding in ‘Traditional’ Companies Reaches “Record High”

August 21, 2014 News

Investment in non-tech businesses grows from 24% in 2011 to 45% in first half of 2014 The rate of business investment has increased dramatically in the first half of 2014 according to new research, with ‘traditional’ industries outside of the technology sector reaching “record” levels. The report, by data firm Beauhurst, suggests investors are taking a “more balanced approach”, with the rate of investment taken up by non-tech companies increasing from 24% in 2011 to 45% so far in 2014. Traditional businesses such as professional services, industrial industries retail and leisure all witnessed considerable growth. The business and professional services sectors gained £338m in investment in the first half of 2014, compared to £279m for the whole of 2013. Additionally investments in industria... »

Two Thirds of Small Businesses Prioritise Investor’s Advice over Finance

August 13, 2014 News

A quarter of small businesses who successfully obtain finance get refused investor’s advice A new survey by Angel’s Den revealed that 64% of small businesses prioritised mentoring over cash when seeking investment for their company. The research, which was conducted with 613 small business owners, found that the majority wanted both, with 76% of small businesses pursuing finance with mentoring and business advice, but only 12% stating that they were looking for money alone. The report also found that of the 80% of small firms that requested advice from their investors, 26% were refused and 34% only received “minimal or very brief advice and mentoring”. The survey highlighted that business investment is moving away from the traditional finance-alone funding but that investors were failing t... »

How to Attract Small Business Investment: 10 Top Tips

How to Attract Small Business Investment: 10 Top Tips

Will McIntosh July 22, 2014 Finance

If you’re running a small but growing company, seeking an equity investor to fund your business can seem like a time consuming exercise and a distraction from your daily management functions. However, if you want to accelerate your business growth, it’s often the only option you’re your burgeoning company. To maximise your chances of success, follow these top 10 tips, designed to help keep raising finance as smooth a process as possible. Have a well written business plan Investors are looking for a transparent, fundable business that can provide them with the returns they require. Check that your business plan is clear, to the point, and that it concisely outlines the product/service and its route to market. Less is more and too much technical detail is a turn-off. Have the right peo... »

Alternative Finance Portal’s Funding Reaches £1.2bn

July 21, 2014 News

Alternative business funding portal joins forces with 40 local lenders to provide 40,000 businesses with finance 40 Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFI) have partnered with alternative funding portal, Alterntivebusinessfunding.co.uk, to provide finance to bank-rejected businesses – taking the total funding to £1.2bn. The finance portal launched on March 11 when seven alternative finance platforms partnered up to create a place where small businesses could look for funding across the alternative finance market. Users are able to submit responses to a few simple online questions including amount of finance needed, desired timeframe and turnover, and are then directed, via a traffic light system, to the most suitable provider/s available on the platform. The new lenders join forc... »

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