Our investors

Supporting a bright future for Gnodal

Gnodal, a new company developing a revolutionary Ethernet switch technology for use in high performance data centers, secured initial funding from South West Ventures Fund, managed by the YFM Group, Adrian Beecroft, NESTA and Finance South West Growth Fund. A second round, backed by the initial group, added Dawn Capital as investors.

Photograph: Murray Sanders

Adrian Beecroft

There are few individuals in the world of venture capital and private equity quite as well established as Adrian Beecroft. Adrian is best-known in the industry as one of the three founders of Apax Partners. As Apax grew, Mr Beecroft assumed responsibility for the London office and approval of all investments. He played a major part in the international expansion of the business, which now has over $20 billion under management with over 150 professionals in eight countries. For many years Adrian was Apax's Chief Investment Officer, and recently retired from his position as Senior Managing Partner. He was Chairman of the British Venture Capital Association in 1991/92 and has represented Apax on the boards of over 20 private and public companies. He was elected to the BVCA Hall of Fame in 2009.

Dawn Capital

Dawn are institutional investors and experienced business builders that have collectively invested in over 100 companies and been involved in several high profile rapid growth technology businesses such as Advertising.com, Virgin Media and Self Trade. Their team members have profitably managed significant portfolios through several booms and downturns, and co-founded successful technology companies both stand-alone and within large corporations.

Nesta

NESTA is the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts - an independent body with a mission to make the UK more innovative. Their endowment status means they operate at no cost to the UK taxpayer. NESTA invest in early-stage companies, inform policy, and deliver practical programmes that inspire others to solve the big challenges of the future. NESTA does not work alone. Their success depends on the strength of the partnerships they form with innovators, policymakers, community organisations, educators and other investors. They bring the best ideas, new flows of capital and talented people together, and encourage others to develop them further.

Finance Southwest

Finance South West is an £18 million venture capital and loan fund targeting small and medium-sized enterprises in South West England with a range of equity and quasi-equity investments, mezzanine loans and small loans. Between 2005 and 2008 Finance South West invested £15 million in 107 businesses in the region. This investment levered an additional sum of nearly £30 million into the South West economy, safeguarding 624 jobs and creating 251 more.

South West Ventures Fund

The South West Ventures Fund (SWVF) is one of nine English Regional Venture Capital Funds. SWVF, which is managed by YFM Group, was established in 2002 to provide risk capital of up to £500,000 to small and medium sized (SME) companies in the South West of England. YFM Group manages in excess of £280 million of funds with investment sizes ranging from £50,000 to £5 million. Principal offices are located in Leeds, Manchester, London and Bristol with over 45 investment professionals being employed across the UK.