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Back to Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund News – Issue 8

Deal Round Up

Over two years on from its launch, NPIF has remained firm in its commitment to supporting ambitious businesses across the North, and a growing number of companies are taking advantage of the investment opportunities on offer to them.

Here are just some of the transactions we have completed this quarter:

Optimus Vitrum

Optimus Vitrum, a University of Leeds spin-out which is pioneering a new way to make toughened glass for mobile phone screens and wearable devices secured a £600,000 equity investment from NPIF.   The funding will allow the company to create advanced prototypes and engage customers, to create thinner, more flexible screens for smartphones and other electronic devices without making them more vulnerable to cracking.

Trap Rap

Based in West Lancashire, Trap Rap is a designer and manufacturer of sustainable packing solutions. The company has secured a £750,000 equity investment from NPIF, in addition to £320,000 from existing shareholders and £200,000 sourced from private investors. The funding will support the growth of the company’s sales and marketing function, creating up to 67 new jobs over five years.

Fast Form Systems

Humber based specialist formwork manufacturer Fast Form Systems Limited received a £1.5 million equity investment from NPIF. The company’s systems are used in the construction industry to hold in place concrete and/or reinforced concrete structures. Fast Form intend to use the funding to enable the company to execute its ambitious marketing strategy, continue to exploit growth opportunities in the US and create 11 new jobs.

Sales Bond

Sales Bond is set to expand into Cheshire after securing £70,000 investment from shareholders, including £30,000 from NPIF.  Sales Bond is an independent telesales company specialising in lead generation and appointment setting. Following the latest injection of NPIF funding, Sales Bond is planning to undertake further recruitment and establish a new office.

Titus Learning

Saltaire based Titus Learning, a company which creates e-learning systems for clients in 23 countries is expanding further with the help of a six-figure sum from NPIF.  Established in 2013, the company provides tailored online learning platforms to a range of blue-chip clients and is planning to increase the size of its team by 50 per cent over the next two years with the creation of ten new jobs.

iPEGS

Chester based workplace efficiency firm iPEGS is looking to grow its client base and expand overseas having secured a five-figure investment from NPIF to fund the expansion of the business’ sales and marketing team.  Through its app and web forms iPEGS helps companies cut down on the costs of printing, storing and recycling physical paper forms – improving both their environmental impact and efficiency.

 

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.

Editors Notes