Nexxus Scotland

Private Sector Investment

LINC Scotland® - Investing in Scotland

LINC Scotland is the national association for business angels in Scotland, with a membership network of hundreds of investors including those operating individually, many of the best known groups and syndicates, and a number of significant private offices.

LINC itself is a private non-profit trust and does not act as investment adviser to any party but rather plays an underlying 'soft infrastructure' role in supporting the development of the business angel marketplace in Scotland, as well as representing members' interests at Scottish, UK and European level.

LINC is supported by membership and company fees, SCOTTISH ENTERPRISE, ERDF and its CORPORATE PARTNERS. This diverse base helps LINC maintain strict standards of independence, impartiality and confidentiality.

The British Venture Capital Association (BVCA)

The British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) is the industry body and public policy advocate for the private equity and venture capital industry in the UK.   Its voice is one of authority when speaking for, or negotiating on behalf of, the UK industry. Its aim is to aid understanding, clarity and transparency around the activities of its members, promoting the industry to entrepreneurs and investors as well as to Government, the EU, trade unions, international media and the general public.

More than 430 firms make up the BVCA members and this number continues to grow as the knowledge, news and counsel the BVCA is able to offer its membership is recognised as increasingly invaluable and essential. The BVCA Membership comprises over 230 private equity, midmarket and venture capital firms with an accumulated total of approximately £32 billion funds under management; as well as over 220 professional advisory firms, including legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisers, corporate financiers, due diligence professionals, environmental advisers, transaction services providers, and placement agents.  Additional members include international investors and funds-of-funds, secondary purchasers, university teams and academics and fellow national private equity and venture capital associations globally. 

Local Investors who have a portfolio of biotech/life science companies

Braveheart Investment Group plc

Braveheart Investment Group plc makes and manages investments in young emerging British companies.  It specialises in building tax efficient portfolios for high net worth clients and institutions. Established in 1997, it has a track record of producing market leading returns for its clients.

Through close relationships with a number of leading universities and innovation centres, it has access to a wide variety of emerging commercial opportunities at early stages. There are currently around 30 companies in its diverse portfolio and it has completed over 80 deals in its 13 year history.

Archangel Informal Investment

Archangel Informal Investment is Scotland's leading Business Angel Syndicate. Originally formed in 1992 and based in Edinburgh, the syndicate now comprises around 100 investor members and is investing c. £10m per year in early stage Scottish companies, including leverage from partners the largest being the Scottish Enterprise Co-Investment Fund.

It invests equity only, with no preferential terms, and provides significant business experience and networking opportunities to its portfolio companies.  It seeks to invest in companies with high growth potential and global application and is prepared to become involved at all stages from proof of concept through growth capital in a wide variety of business sectors.  To find out more about its investment criteria and its decision making process visit the Investment section.

SEP 

SEP is one of Europe's leading venture capital firms and makes venture capital investments in entrepreneurial and innovative companies.  As well as backing start up and early stage businesses, it also invests in more established companies looking to use venture capital to build scale and momentum.  All of the ventures it backs have the potential to drive change and succeed in the global marketplace.

It typically invests between £1 million and £10 million in funding rounds of up to £30 million.  It either invests on its own or alongside other venture capital firms, usually as lead investor.

It takes minority stakes in the companies it invests in but looks to exert a positive influence over their growth and development, working in partnership with the entrepreneurs it backs and sharing their drive and commitment.

The funds it invests come from blue chip investors including global financial institutions, alternative asset fund management companies, pension funds, family offices and corporates.   Its aim is to be a key general partner for investors with a long term commitment to the venture capital asset class.

Seven Hills Venture Partners Ltd

Seven Hills provides corporate transaction advice and product licensing and partnering services to life science companies, drawing on the collective industry contacts, product and technology knowledge and transaction experience of its directors and advisers.

It can work in a number of areas from business plan preparation and due diligence through to product and technology licensing and trade sale opportunities.

Through its international network it has access to the necessary business, scientific and technology contacts and expertise to handle a broad range of deal making and financing opportunities.

Its clients principally include entrepreneurs, life science companies, universities, venture capital and private equity firms and angel investors in the UK, Europe and the US.