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RoleMapper, the AI-powered job management platform, has secured a £1million equity investment from the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund (SWIF), via appointed fund manager The FSE Group.

The investment is part of a £2.1million funding round that will support job creation and overall growth of the business. The funding round includes investment from Mercia Ventures, South West-based venture capital firm QantX, and existing private investors.

The £200m South West Investment Fund covers the entire South West region and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead. The RoleMapper deal is the fund’s largest investment to date since its launch in July last year.

RoleMapper’s technology is disrupting how organisations manage jobs, skills, inclusivity and compliance. It can automate and transform how to plan and manage job designs and descriptions, with access to millions of jobs and skills across multiple industries, all integrated within existing human resources (HR) systems.

Sara Hill, RoleMapper Founder and CEO said: “We are thrilled to have the South West Investment Fund and FSE on board as new partners, enabling us to further strengthen our product, unique AI models and build capacity for further roll-out. We look forward to working with all our investors as we continue our growth journey and build on the progress we’ve made helping organisations create better jobs and build inclusive workplaces.”

The Exeter based business is already working with a number of large organisations including well-known global brands, local authorities and NHS trusts.

Ralph Singleton, Head of Equity, South West at The FSE Group added: “RoleMapper has a strong leadership team with experience building and scaling businesses in the B2B and HR space. They have recently pivoted their offering to address an identified market need and their AI powered tech is helping major corporates and public sector organisations manage their responsibilities as equal opportunity employers. We look forward to working with them as they expand.”

Jody Tableporter, Director, Nations and Regions Investment Funds said: “Rolemapper has gone from start-up to scale-up in just a few years, harnessing AI technology to transform how businesses and organisations manage their workforce strategy. We’re delighted the South West Investment Fund is supporting their further growth, with what is the fund’s largest deal to date.”

Mercia Ventures first backed RoleMapper in 2022. Rafael Joseph of Mercia added: “We’re pleased to continue to back the team at RoleMapper. They have shown great tenacity against a tough economic backdrop and successfully reshaped their strategy to solve the immediate issues facing clients. As a consequence, they’ve continued to win impressive blue-chip customers, proving the need for their solutions in the market. We expect them to have another strong year in 2024.”

The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. The South West Investment Fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance.

A Worcestershire based e-commerce gym wear brand, has secured a £650,000 investment from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), provided by The FSE Group Debt Finance Fund and backed by the Recovery Loan Scheme.  

Silverback Gym Wear focuses on the strongman, strongwoman and strength sports markets. Their existing range is popular with professional athletes and avid gym goers alike, who prioritize quality and innovation over aesthetics when choosing their performance clothing. 

The development of their latest product range Fortis will see them branch out into other areas such as professional rugby and MMA. This standalone range has been co-developed with Britain’s Strongest Man, Adam Bishop. 

Silverback Gym Wear boasts 30,000 returning customers and is expanding its reach in the lucrative US market. To help them achieve this, alongside the development of new products, the MEIF funding will be used to create 12 new positions, fund the move to new larger premises and to boost the sales and marketing functions of the business.  

Richard Gardener, Founder of Silverback Gymwear, said: “The next stage in the development of our range is an incredibly exciting one as we branch out into more sports and interests at all levels of  competition. We’ll be releasing new products that are industry leading, accredited and used in top competitions, all utilising designs that are much more user friendly than current alternatives. The new staff hires that we’ll be able to bring on board thanks to this funding will continue this work and help us to expand further and faster as we disrupt the strength based sports sector, bringing more options to the sector.”   

Ryan Cartwright, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, commented: “Founders Richard and Pete are fantastically passionate about their brand. They are brimming with ideas and sector knowledge and in addition their enthusiasm for the sector as a whole is evident. The company’s new products and expansion plans are very encouraging and it has been wonderful working with the whole team to help them secure this funding. We look forward to seeing how the business progresses and spotting their clothing at more and more competitions and matches.” 

Mark Wilcockson, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, said:  The Midlands Engine Investment Fund continues to back smaller businesses across the region, so it’s great to see another business taking the opportunity for continued growth thanks to the MEIF. As we move towards the launch of MEIF II, we continue to remain committed to this objective.”  

The current MEIF investment phase has now completed with the British Business Bank launching the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II on February 29th. 2024. 

The Midlands Engine 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 2014-2022 and the European Investment Bank. The FSE Group manages a section of MEIF that provides investments between £100,000 and £1.5 million to support growing SMEs across the region. For more information visit: www.thefsegroup.com/fund/midlands-engine-investment-fund-debt-finance. 

A Tremough-based company that has developed disinfectant technology using water and electricity has received funding from the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund (COISIF), managed by The FSE Group, as part of a £1million funding round.

The £250,000 CIOSIF investment in Oxi-Tech is accompanied by investment from existing shareholders and Henley Business Angels and is being used to support business growth.

Oxi-Tech’s patented clean-in-place technology uses activated oxygen, removing the need for aggressive chemical-based disinfection solutions, such as chlorine, and eliminating the high recurring costs and safety risks of traditional chemical disinfectant processes.

Oxi-Tech’s technology creates an oxidation process in-situ from tap water, that is safe to use for humans and animals and can be applied across a variety of sectors including agriculture, utilities, the built environment and water supply.

The company is in the initial stages of focusing its efforts on the agricultural sector where equipment such as dairy milking machines and animal feeding water lines are potential breeding grounds for bacteria and other pathogens.

The carbon-heavy supply chain of traditional large-scale disinfecting carries a significant environmental burden. Oxi-Tech’s solution reduces CO2 output and removes the use of harsh and dangerous chemicals from the process, as well as providing an estimated £20,000+ in savings per year to farmers implementing the system over traditional, chemical solutions.

Following successful trials in the UK and the Middle East, Oxi-Tech is now ready to commercialise its technology with a team that has an excellent track record in developing sustainable, innovative, high-growth businesses.

Paul Morris, CEO of Oxi-Tech said: “The FSE Group has been a strong supporter of our technology and business proposition over the past five years and we are thrilled to receive this CIOSIF investment, which has provided a foundation for the funding round. We are now looking forward to focusing on the full commercialisation and roll-out of our ground-breaking solutions as we move into the next phase of growth.”

Ralph Singleton, Head of Equity, South West, at The FSE Group commented: “This innovative team has developed market disrupting technology with robust environmental credentials. With a number of cross-sector opportunities across the UK and international markets, we are delighted to be supporting Oxi-tech to roll-out its game-changing solution.”

The £40m Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund provides debt and equity finance from £25,000 to £2 million to help growing small businesses across the region. It has been established by the British Business Bank in partnership with the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Funding through CIOSIF comes to an end in December this year but wider funding is now available through the British Business Bank’s £200m South West Investment Fund providing loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m.

Keira Shepperson, Director, Regional Funds from the British Business Bank said: “Oxi-Tech have developed a process that uses tap water and low level electricity to create a powerful, chemical-free disinfectant. It is already showing results in the agricultural industry, lowering both costs and environmental impact, and we are pleased the fund is supporting further growth.”

John Acornley, Chair of the CIOSIF advisory board and former LEP non-executive director, said: “Oxi-tech is another example of a Cornwall-based tech start-up with an environmental focus. Its proven technology also saves on the of costs of transport, storage and disposal compared to chemical-based disinfection and has applications across many sectors.”

CIOSIF 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.

For more information about the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund including how to apply, please visit www.ciosif.co.uk  or follow the fund on Twitter at @CIOSIFBBB2

Nusara is a multi-award winning boutique Thai restaurant brand, based in Dorset. It is the brainchild of hospitality entrepreneur Andy Lennox, who rejoined forces with husband and wife chef duo Thammanoon Thurasan and Nusara Padungwang as well as Acorn-Award Winning operations director Sophie Cox.

The business recently received a £250,000 investment from the South West Investment Fund via fund managers The FSE Group, to support the opening of their new site in Westbourne, Bournemouth. The area has been a high target for the brand, following its Ambassador Choice status and being granted Thai Select signature status by the Royal Thai Government. The plan is to open in early Spring 2024.

This will be their fourth site in three years, as the brand continues its localised roll out in Dorset. The group has plans to add several more restaurants in Dorset, before a potential nationwide rollout.

Andy Lennox said: “We’ve managed to create something special out of such a tough time. As a passion project, to open four sites in just under three years is remarkable and a testament to the team we have here.

“For me, being backed by the South West Investment Fund through The FSE Group is a key marker in the sand for the brand. This not only helps us fund the opening of our new restaurant in Bournemouth but the fact we’ve managed to secure more traditional debt financing for the first time, will allow for the potential of an accelerated roll out once we are bedded in.”

A learning and development business in Fleet has secured a £300,000 loan from the Enterprise M3 (EM3) Funding Escalator, managed by The FSE Group (FSE) on behalf of EM3 Local Enterprise Partnership, to support its expansion.

SEEDL, which recently won new business of the year at the Hampshire Business Awards, provides professional, accredited training via its online platform. It offers over 200 modules and courses delivered live by expert tutors covering areas such as Health & Safety, Compliance, Microsoft Office Suite, Sales, Mental Wellness, Customer Excellence, Leadership, and Communications.

SEEDL's live and interactive approach separates it from other online learning providers, encouraging greater attendance and engagement. The company has been growing steadily over the last three years with customers that include corporates, local authorities and charities. Its platform is currently accessed by thousands of users in 70 countries.

The company is now ready to capitalise on its recent success and will use the funding to support marketing activity and create a number of new roles in the business.

Anthony Price, SEEDL Founder and CEO, said: “As a relatively new business, our lack of financial history and profitability can make it difficult to secure growth funding from traditional lenders. With the support and resources provided by FSE, SEEDL is poised for even greater success in the future and we look forward to working with our FSE Investment Manager as we continue to grow.”

FSE Investment Manager, Paul Smith, added: “SEEDL has developed an innovative offering and gained early traction, leaving it well-positioned to become a major player in its field. Its experienced management team and supportive investor base have been instrumental in driving growth to date and we are delighted to be joining them to help the business reach its full potential.” 

The global online learning platforms market continues to grow and is expected to reach $325 billion by 2025. Learning technologies incorporating interactions, group work, and community building are shown to lead to more efficient learning, whilst COVID-19 accelerated the adoption of, and increased demand for online learning. SEEDL’s solution addresses the market need for remote and flexible learning options that also offer more personalised experiences.

Stephen Martin, Managing Director at Enterprise M3 LEP said: “SEEDL is clearly an impressive digital learning technology company delivering virtual training courses for businesses in 70 countries around the world. We are so pleased that through the EM3 Funding Escalator Fund we’re able to help support its ambitious expansion plans.

“While wishing Anthony and his team continued success, I’d also like to heartily congratulate SEEDL for winning its well-deserved New Business of the Year accolade, at the recent Hampshire Business Awards, which bodes well for this Hampshire business.”

The Enterprise M3 Funding Escalator is a £10million initiative funded by Enterprise M3 LEP. The escalator includes an expansion loan scheme, a short-term trade loan scheme and an equity growth fund and provides eligible companies with loans and equity funding between £50,000 and £500,000 for activities that will deliver high-growth and employment opportunities across the EM3 area.