Welcome to our new blog. In this section of our website we plan
to regularly update you on the progress of The North West Fund. In
our blog posts you will hear from members of the team here,
including each of our Fund Managers. We will be sharing information
about the type of businesses we are looking to invest in, the
companies we are working with already and guidance on how you can
ensure your business is investment ready.
Although we have only been established for 18 months, we are
proud to say that our investment portfolio now spans more than 100
companies and our list of Inspiring Entrepreneurs continues to
grow. We have invested almost £29 million into these 100 businesses
and raised over £18 million of co-investment to further support
them and the region.
Recently, we held our first 'Colours Event' where each of our
portfolio companies had the chance to meet our team of Fund
Managers, speak to members of the financial sector, as well as
network with other entrepreneurs based here in the North West to
compare notes, trade together where possible, learn through the
experience of others and drive business growth alongside each
other. This first networking evening was held in partnership with
DWF.
One of the region's leading entrepreneurs, Stephen Falder, from
Byotrol, a leading biotech business, spoke about the rapid growth
of this anti-microbial paint business. Stephen was commissioned to
create a coating that would prevent mould from growing on walls.
The result was Byotrol, which is now sold through leading retailers
such as Tesco and Boots.
David Thomas, Motivational Speaker, demonstrated to the audience
what can be achieved by thinking outside usual parameters and how
casting off a predictable approach can sometimes enable achievement
and success beyond all expectations. He encouraged us all to think
about our 'purple cow'.
The event was well received and taking into consideration all
the feedback and comments our entrepreneurs sent in, we will be
looking to arrange further events in the future. As our businesses
grow to a new life stage, we hope that 'The Colours' will provide
the chance to forge links with the wider venture capital and
investment community, helping businesses in the North West secure
further investment and continue to grow. The investee community has
endless passion and ambition and gathering them for an evening of
networking, learning and motivation was rewarding.
We have many more investments planned for the months and years
ahead, as we look towards our goal to invest in 800 businesses,
create 14,000 jobs by 2015 and £700m GVA by 2022. We want to hear
from you if you think you could help us achieve this goal by
becoming our next Inspiring Entrepreneur.
Kind regards,
Andy Leach
Pictured above, from left to right, Andy Crane, BBC;
Andy Leach, CEO of North West Business Finance Ltd, managers
of The North West Fund; Stephen Houston, Head of Corporate at
DWF.
