Entrepreneurs desperate to raise cash for their businesses are looking to private investors to plug the funding gap left by banks unwilling to lend money.
Business start-ups and new projects are all chasing the same investment pound and looking for that missing finance from crowdfunding, venture capital, community co-ops, and the tax-effective Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS).
Investors have a huge range of pitches to choose from – and here’s a roundup of some funding winners and some still seeking that elusive investment:
Solar energy investments by Octopus Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) are setting the market alight.
The firm has already raised £325 million for solar energy projects in the past two years and still wants more.
Book your present
Octopus is a leading light in solar energy investment on a commercial scale – boasting solar panels equivalent to the size of 1,700 football pitches producing 250MWh of electricity under management.
The Greedy Book wants £60,000 of SEIS capital to expand an online business that hosts present wish-lists.
The idea came from seeing how many unwanted Christmas presents are thrown away each year.
Users put a list of gifts they would like online and friends, relatives and well-wishers can log in to buy them.
The firm has already banked £90,000 from investors, and wants reach £150,000.
The Greedy Shop has a website (www.greedybook.co.uk ) and a mobile app.
Online letting agent UPAD ww.upad.co.uk is looking for £350,000 to fund grand expansion plans. The firm has raised £1 million to date and wants the extra money to move into commercial and shared home lettings.
The Bookbarn, www.bookbarninternational.co.uk, says the firm can increase business volumes with help from investors.
Around £70,000 for a 10% equity stake would fund the firm’s online presence.
Drinkers buy the pub
Pembroke VCT, www.pembrokevct.com, has opened a £20 million share subscription offer. Pledges for £900,000 are already in awaiting share issues.
The VCT wants to invest the money in small unquoted companies. The subscription is open until at least July 31, 2013, providing the full subscription is not raised before then.
Meanwhile drinkers at a West Yorkshire pub have clubbed together to buy more than a round – they put £130,000 in the kitty and took over the business lock, stock and bitter barrel.
Shareholders sunk between £100 and £20,000 in The Fox and Hounds, Hebden Bridge, after the landlady fell ill and the pub was threatened with closure.
Now, the pub is run as a community co-operative with a secure future.
