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Scottish Equity Partners [Annual Review 2020]

Finance and Risk Capital

Impact for scaleups

19

Companies backed

42%

Follow-on investments

68%

Investments outside of London

8

Growth-stage investments

Scottish Equity Partners (SEP) is a late stage venture and growth equity investor focused on technology and technology-enabled companies based in the UK and Ireland, and selectively in other parts of Europe. It has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London.

The firm invests up to £25m and also funds larger deals, co-investing with others, including its own fund investors. Between the period of January 2013 to June 2020, the firm has participated in 33 fundraisings for 19 scaling businesses with an average fundraising size of £5.2m.

SEP plays an active and supportive role in the growth and development of its portfolio companies. It has a strong track record in supporting its portfolio companies with talent acquisition, building leadership capability, and assisting international growth – international sales account for 64% of the current portfolio’s combined revenues.

The firm has previously backed – and exited from – notable scaleups such as Skyscanner and Cambridge Silicon Radio. Scaleups in its current portfolio include Dotmatics, Matchesfashion, Sport Pursuit and Totally Money.

The firm, which is a signatory to the Women in Finance Charter, has a 38% female representation in its senior management positions. It provides financial support to the Strathclyde Entrepreneurs Fund, which provides early stage investment in companies and ventures run by University of Strathclyde staff, students and alumni.

Scottish Equity Partners [Annual Review 2020] website