Sweet success for Candy Hero as it wraps second NPIF loan

A Bradford-based importer, distributor and retailer of confectionery has received a further investment of £500,000 from NPIF – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF). Candy Hero was founded in 2008 by brothers Frank and Leo Dillon, both former web designers. The business has

Cyber firm raises funds to launch new software for SMEs

A  Newcastle cybersecurity business with an automated software that helps SMEs detect vulnerabilities in their IT system has raised £350,000 from the North East Venture Fund (NEVF), supported by the European Regional Development Fund and managed by Mercia. Melius Cyber’s platform monitors an organisation’s IT network around the clock, testing security and protecting it from

New device could transform treatment of Parkinson’s disease

A university spin-out which has developed a device that provides early diagnosis and monitoring of Parkinson’s disease has raised £1.6m to help bring it to market. SERG Technologies has secured investment from Mercia, Velocity Partners, Newable, the Imperial College Innovation Fund,  a leading Japanese corporation and private investors. The funding will help the business to

Company behind ‘nurse call’ systems for care homes raises further £850k

A Sheffield company which provides advanced ‘nurse call’ systems for care homes has secured an £850,000 investment from Traditum Private Equity and NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance, which is managed by Mercia and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF). This latest round of funding will enable Arquella to expand its sales and marketing team

HR platform set to ‘go global’ after £1.5m investment

A fast-growing employee engagement platform has raised £1.5m for international expansion in an investment that is set to create 15 new jobs. WorkBuzz has secured the funding from its existing backers Mercia and Foresight, both of which invested via the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), alongside funding from private investors. The Milton Keynes-based company has

Entrepreneur raises funding to disrupt dry-cleaning industry

A Stamford entrepreneur who aims to disrupt the dry-cleaning industry by installing automated drop-off points in shopping centres and railway stations has raised £550,000. Vicky Whiter has secured investment from the MEIF Proof of Concept & Early Stage Fund, which is managed by Mercia and part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund, as part of

Compliance firm gears up for growth as new rules boost demand

A Yorkshire consultancy that helps firms to meet the standards required by the UK’s financial services watchdog has secured a £200,000 loan from NPIF – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF), as new rules increase demand for its services. The Compliance Company helps

Charity fundraising platform secures £1.25m investment

A West Midlands company which has developed a unique charity fundraising platform has secured £1.25m in investment to help further enhance its technology and expand its client base. Stourbridge-based GivePenny Technologies has secured investment from the MEIF Proof of Concept & Early Stage Fund, which is managed by Mercia and part of the Midlands Engine