South West investment firm applauds success of technology companies
Five technology companies based in the South West have forced their way into the Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100 for the first time.
Tech Track ranks the top hundred technology, media and telecoms (TMT) companies in the UK.
"This is extremely encouraging for South West technology businesses," said Martin Bowles, managing director of Horatio Investments.
"Funding for small businesses in the region has taken a hit in recent times with the 20% budget reduction for the Regional Development Agency and the harder line being taken by the banks," he said. "This news of great South West businesses succeeding in these difficult times will renew confidence."
Horatio Investments announced this month that they would be investing 20 million in business start-ups in the South West.
"Horatio Investments is delighted to be able to address the funding gap," said Mr Bowles, former director of Jelf Financial Planning and corporate specialist at Hargreaves Lansdown. "We are keen to support technology start-ups in the region."
"It is great to see privately-owned technology companies in Southwest making a positive contribution to the technology industry despite tough economic conditions. A new trend this year is that more than a fifth of these innovative Tech Track 100 companies are bringing the flexibility and cost savings of cloud computing to big and small businesses," said Scott Dodds, Microsoft general manager of business strategy.
52 of the Tech Track companies are based in London and 17 more are in the South East. 10 of the remainder are based in the North, 9 in the Midlands, 5 in the Southwest, 4 in Scotland and 3 in the East.
Bristol 'first' for West's new 20 million angel investment fund
An award-winning and world-beating Bristol technology firm has become the first young business to win a slice of a new 20 million angel investment fund.
Aiming to boost jobs, growth and incomes in the West, Horatio Investments has begun a Dragon's Den-style search for new ventures that need extra backing.
Its first investment is a 400,000 stake in Test Marshal, which is pioneering innovative ways to do essential tests on the life-saving safety of electrical systems.
Saving time and money, the world's first "addressable on-line diagnostic system for testing electrical fixed wiring installations" cuts shut downs at large premises by up to 95%.
Factories, hospitals and public buildings can save many thousands of pounds using the swift and accurate new diagnostic system from Test Marshal, which based in Bristol's Kingswood.
The backing of Horatio Investments will enable Test Marshal to launch its product across the UK and throughout the world after years perfecting and patenting the technology.
Test Marshal is already winning awards for its world, taking the Institution of Engineering and Technology award for Innovation in the Built Environment.
The award judges said test technology had "remained the same for many years, but this innovation offers the potential to fundamentally change the way that testing is carried out".
Horatio managing director Martin Bowles said: "We were immediately impressed by the product and the team. We will help Test Marshal build the business into a global success."
Test Marshall managing director Robin Stone said: "We have been delighted with the business support Martin and the team at Horatio have been able to offer us."
Horatio Investments is keen to hear from other businesses looking for investment. They have a fund of 20 million to invest in small, early-stage business in the South West.
As well as hard cash from private backers, the team at Horatio Investments have solid experience and skills to help businesses develop, grow and reach new markets.
The Horatio Investments website has clear guidelines and timescales that small businesses should review before applying.
To find out more, go to Horatio Investments: http://www.horatioinvestments.com
Tech Track ranks the top hundred technology, media and telecoms (TMT) companies in the UK.
"This is extremely encouraging for South West technology businesses," said Martin Bowles, managing director of Horatio Investments.
"Funding for small businesses in the region has taken a hit in recent times with the 20% budget reduction for the Regional Development Agency and the harder line being taken by the banks," he said. "This news of great South West businesses succeeding in these difficult times will renew confidence."
Horatio Investments announced this month that they would be investing 20 million in business start-ups in the South West.
"Horatio Investments is delighted to be able to address the funding gap," said Mr Bowles, former director of Jelf Financial Planning and corporate specialist at Hargreaves Lansdown. "We are keen to support technology start-ups in the region."
"It is great to see privately-owned technology companies in Southwest making a positive contribution to the technology industry despite tough economic conditions. A new trend this year is that more than a fifth of these innovative Tech Track 100 companies are bringing the flexibility and cost savings of cloud computing to big and small businesses," said Scott Dodds, Microsoft general manager of business strategy.
52 of the Tech Track companies are based in London and 17 more are in the South East. 10 of the remainder are based in the North, 9 in the Midlands, 5 in the Southwest, 4 in Scotland and 3 in the East.
Bristol 'first' for West's new 20 million angel investment fund
An award-winning and world-beating Bristol technology firm has become the first young business to win a slice of a new 20 million angel investment fund.
Aiming to boost jobs, growth and incomes in the West, Horatio Investments has begun a Dragon's Den-style search for new ventures that need extra backing.
Its first investment is a 400,000 stake in Test Marshal, which is pioneering innovative ways to do essential tests on the life-saving safety of electrical systems.
Saving time and money, the world's first "addressable on-line diagnostic system for testing electrical fixed wiring installations" cuts shut downs at large premises by up to 95%.
Factories, hospitals and public buildings can save many thousands of pounds using the swift and accurate new diagnostic system from Test Marshal, which based in Bristol's Kingswood.
The backing of Horatio Investments will enable Test Marshal to launch its product across the UK and throughout the world after years perfecting and patenting the technology.
Test Marshal is already winning awards for its world, taking the Institution of Engineering and Technology award for Innovation in the Built Environment.
The award judges said test technology had "remained the same for many years, but this innovation offers the potential to fundamentally change the way that testing is carried out".
Horatio managing director Martin Bowles said: "We were immediately impressed by the product and the team. We will help Test Marshal build the business into a global success."
Test Marshall managing director Robin Stone said: "We have been delighted with the business support Martin and the team at Horatio have been able to offer us."
Horatio Investments is keen to hear from other businesses looking for investment. They have a fund of 20 million to invest in small, early-stage business in the South West.
As well as hard cash from private backers, the team at Horatio Investments have solid experience and skills to help businesses develop, grow and reach new markets.
The Horatio Investments website has clear guidelines and timescales that small businesses should review before applying.
To find out more, go to Horatio Investments: http://www.horatioinvestments.com
