The FSE Group, which supports high growth businesses through the provision of loans and equity investments, is the latest company to move to Exeter Science Park.
The organisation has been delivering funding solutions in the South West since 2018 as the appointed fund manager for the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund (CIOSIF). During that time, they have invested over £24.5million to support the growth of more than 60 businesses, creating or safeguarding almost 1,000 jobs and attracting a further £91.5million of private investment into the businesses they have supported.
As CIOSIF comes to a close in December, the £200 million South West Investment Fund has been launched by the British Business Bank to provide a range of commercial finance options to growing businesses across the whole of the South West region. The South West Investment Fund offers loans from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investment up to £5 million.
The FSE Group is managing the debt finance and equity finance part of the South West Investment Fund (some £70m) for Cornwall & Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset and Somerset (excluding North and North East Somerset), providing loans from £100,000 to £2 million, and equity investments up to £5 million.
Ralph Singleton, FSE head of equity, south west, said: “We’re delighted to be based at the Exeter Science Park, which is home to many innovative businesses that we’re excited to work with. Exeter is a great location for us, with extensive links across the South West. We’ll be taking full advantage of the variety of co-working and breakout spaces that the Park has to offer, and would like to thank Sally Basker and her team for their warm welcome.”
Jason Buck, senior business development manager at Exeter Science Park, added, “We’re very pleased to welcome the FSE Team to Exeter Science Park. We view the science park community as an eco-system and funders are a vitally important part of that. The FSE Group already has connections with many of our organisations and we’re looking forward to seeing that develop even further as they build on their presence here.”