Urges start-ups to attend Mercia Fund Management Open House
Oxford, 2 April 2013. Oxford-based The Native Antigen Company (NAC) has received new investment from the Mercia Growth Fund 1 and NAC’s existing shareholders.
The new investment will accelerate the continued expansion of this now profitable operation which seeks to expand into key markets within the in vitro diagnostic (IVD) and pharmaceutical sectors.
NAC specialises in the isolation and purification of native viral and bacterial antigens which are needed to provide the high levels of the specificity and sensitivity required by the latest generation of serology based IVD tests. It is also pioneering into the use of mammalian cell expression platforms, with an emphasis on producing antigens for use in vaccine development.
The company’s success will be showcased at Mercia Fund Management‘s (MFM) first Open House event for companies seeking seed and expansion funding on 16 April 2013.
NAC already trades on a regular basis with over 25 IVD and pharmaceutical manufacturers worldwide. As over 90% of NAC’s products are exported, and with employees from five different countries, the company has become an international success.
CEO of NAC, Andrew Maxwell commented: “We chose to work with MFM due to its strong track record of pro-actively helping businesses manage the challenges and opportunities within a start-up environment. For companies looking for funding, Mercia Fund Management’s Open House event is a must-attend event.
“In addition to investment provision, key introductions to grant bodies, industry connections and support service providers, MFM has directly supported the NAC team to continue their accelerated growth. Furthermore, working with Mercia has helped to streamline many of the costs of starting a new venture.”
Mark Payton, board director on NAC and managing director of MFM will host the first Open House event for companies seeking seed and expansion funding on 16 April.
To register, please visit: http://merciafundmanagementopenhouse.eventbrite.co.uk
MFM has an extensive portfolio of companies across the Midlands, Oxfordshire and London, and manages a portfolio of institutional funds that also offer deal flow into its SEIS and EIS Growth Funds. Long-term partnerships with eight universities offer a wide range of high-growth potential investment opportunities.
EIS investments offer several key advantages such as:
30 per cent income tax relief and capital gains tax deferral
Tax-free capital gain
100 per cent Inheritance Tax property relief
Substantial capital loss relief.
SEIS investments offer several key advantages including:
50 per cent income tax relief (no matter what your tax bracket is)
Capital gains tax loss for gains made in 2012/13 and invested in 2013/14
Tax-free capital gain
100 per cent Inheritance tax property relief
Substantial capital loss relief.
The second Mercia Growth Fund 2 was launched in March and is expected to close by June this year.
NB: SEIS is Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and EIS is Enterprise Investment Scheme.
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About Mercia Fund Management
Mercia Fund Management (MFM) is a venture capital fund manager with over £17 million under active management.
MFM provides investment growth capital for businesses from those with early commercial traction through to those seeking expansion or working capital that are trading profitably. Furthermore, MFM can also provide cost-effective incubator accommodation at Forward House in Henley-in-Arden coupled with centralised support services in keeping with its model as a hands on, active investor.
MFM is an FSA authorised and regulated fund manager under FSMA (FRN: 524856).
www.merciafund.co.uk