Some 100 Northern Irish companies have benefitted from investments through Co-Fund NI totalling close to £43m since the programme began in 20211.
Co-Fund NI is part of Invest Northern Ireland's Access to Finance suite of funds and a partner of the Regional Angel Programme, delivered by British Business Investments.
The £47.3m equity fund, which is managed by Clarendon Fund Managers, co-invests alongside angels and other private investors in deals typically valued between £150,000 and £2m.
To date, Co-Fund NI has provided nearly £43m in funding to Northern Ireland business, alongside £285m in private investment.
The first company to benefit from the fun was Cirdan Imaging Ltd in 2011, and the 100th is Belfast-based software and IoT company Kinsetsu.
In Association with
Kinsetsu provides sensor-based and automation technology solutions for tracking equipment, people, inventory and fleet to organisations within the healthcare, defence, government and commercial sectors. The business plans to use funding to scale business operations and fuel growth.
Securing a total of £1.55m, this funding round was led by Par Equity alongside business angels, supported by a £300,000 investment from Co-Fund NI.
“Since 2011, Invest NI has provided investment support to 100 high growth potential companies through Co-Fund NI which has leveraged significant private investment in the portfolio," said William McCulla, director of corporate finance at Invest NI.
"We are pleased that our funding will contribute to Kinsetsu’s growth and support its plans for the future of the business.”
Joanne Doherty, CEO of Kinsetsu, said: ”This funding from Co-Fund NI has come at a very important time for our business. In recent months we have secured a number of large contracts and this financial support will play a vital role in the expansion of our business operations.
"It will also support plans for further growth within the critical sectors we serve and help us to continue to provide positive change through our technology solutions.”
Claudine Owens, investment manager at Clarendon Fund Managers, said: “Reaching the 100th company milestone is a fantastic accomplishment and makes Co-Fund NI the most active equity investor in Northern Ireland. Kinsetsu is a welcome addition to the portfolio and we are excited to be part of their growth journey.”
“As an investor we are committed to supporting diversity and we’re proud that over a quarter of our businesses have a female founder. We’re particularly pleased to welcome female-founded business, Kinsetsu, as our 100th portfolio company.”
Co-Fund NI’s portfolio companies include businesses from a range of sectors including advanced manufacturing and engineering, financial services, life and healthcare sciences, and digital ICT.
Invest NI’s support is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2021) Programme.
Photo: (l-r) Joanne O’Doherty; Brian Cummings, investment director, Clarendon Fund Managers; Claudine Owens; William McCulla, Jackie Crooks, chief commercial officer, Kinsetsu.
