A Nottinghamshire based outdoor clothing and equipment company has secured funding from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), provided by The FSE Group Debt Finance Fund and backed by the Recovery Loan Scheme.

The £1.5million investment from the MEIF will help create 16 new roles, fund seasonal stock purchase, product development in footwear and e-bike lines and enable the UK to take over the bike frame painting function from China.

Alpkit designs, manufactures and sells a range of specialist outdoor apparel, equipment and bicycles suitable for challenging environments and extreme activities at a significantly lower price point than large, high-end competitors. 

The company is also a certified B Corp, committed to the highest standards of social and environmental impact. The company’s registered charity, Alpkit Foundation, supports sustainability focused community projects.

David Hanney, Alpkit CEO, said: “With a buoyant outdoor market and strong brand positioning we have built a business with £12m+ turnover that has great potential for further growth. With challenging exchange markets and supply chain issues dominating trading conditions for many businesses in recent months, we are delighted to receive this MEIF funding, which gives us the ability to expand our employee base and seize the opportunities available to us.”

Chris Bailey, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, commented: “Alpkit’s  knowledgeable and experienced management team has established a strong revenue stream that is capable of further acceleration, thanks to a viable expansion strategy that includes increasing physical stores in the UK as well as their international online presence. Alpkit’s growth momentum has remained resilient, despite wider economic factors impacting businesses currently, and we are happy to be supporting them on their growth journey.”

Alpkit’s community focus and sustainability credentials reflect its culture and resonate with its customer base. It is well-positioned to take advantage of a booming outdoor market across camping, hiking, climbing, trail running, outdoor swimming and cycling and is estimated to be worth over £7.5bn in the UK alone.  

Mark Wilcockson, Senior Investment Manager at British Business Bank added: “The MEIF aims to finance innovative, sustainable and high growth oriented Midlands businesses that create a positive economic impact in the region. Alpkit’s success is a very good example of that, and showcases the benefits that SMEs in the Midlands have and can aim to achieve with MEIF funding.”

The Midlands Engine Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2022 and the European Investment Bank. The FSE Group manages a section of MEIF that provides investments between £100,000 and £1.5 million to support growing SMEs across the region.

Cornish-based independent production company Bosena has secured a six-figure loan from the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund, via appointed fund manager The FSE Group, to support the continued growth of its portfolio of high-end TV and film projects. 

Bosena’s latest film, ROSE OF NEVADA, which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and stars BAFTA nominees George MacKay (1917) and Callum Turner (Masters of the Air), has been garnering 5-star reviews with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. 

The FSE Group has been working with Bosena since 2021, previously providing funding from the British Business Bank's Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund. Since then, the company has grown significantly, forging key relationships with industry leaders including Film4 and the British Film Institute (BFI), both of whom continue to back Bosena’s creative vision.  

The latest funding will support key growth activities, including website and product development, staff expansion, and broader strategic investment to enable the business to capitalise on its recent success. 

“We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support from The FSE Group,” said Denzil Monk, CEO of Bosena. “This South West Investment Fund loan will allow us to strengthen our core team and infrastructure so that we can deliver ambitious, larger-scale projects with confidence. We’re proud to create work that reflects Cornwall’s unique cultural landscape while engaging with global audiences on the most urgent and relevant issues of our time.” 

Hannah Sprague, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, commented: “Denzil and the Bosena team have demonstrated a compelling combination of creative excellence and commercial acumen. Their clear vision, proven track record, and growing pipeline of high-end TV projects make this a very exciting business to support. We’re delighted to continue our partnership as they scale the business.” 

Paul Jones, Senior Investment Manager, from the British Business Bank said: "Having previously backed Bosena through one of our inaugural regional funds, we're pleased to see our South West Investment Fund support them on their continued growth journey. The business is attracting top-class talent to produce award-winning content for a global marketplace, and this new investment will allow them to build on that success." 

According to the BFI1, the UK’s independent film and high-end TV production sector is experiencing a period of dynamic growth, playing a major role in fuelling creative diversity and innovation. With global streamers, broadcasters, and public funders seeking distinctive voices and untold stories, companies like Bosena – rooted in local culture but with international relevance – are seen as well-placed to seize this expanding market opportunity.  

As Bosena looks ahead to delivering new projects through 2025/26 and beyond, the company says it will continue to invest in platforming underrepresented stories and voices. Its award-winning work in both English and the Cornish language is increasingly drawing attention from global audiences and collaborators, further cementing Cornwall’s reputation as a centre for world-class screen content. 

The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. It offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m and equity investment up to £5 million. 

The fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance. 

Exeter-based sustainable travel business STAXY has secured equity funding from the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund, via appointed ​​Fund Manager, The FSE Group. The investment is part of a wider funding round that includes participation from Angel Investors Bristol.  

The funding will support STAXY as it accelerates through its ​​early growth phase, secures key commercial contracts, and further develops its proprietary technology ahead of a subsequent funding round. 

Founded in 2020 by friends from the University of Exeter and University of Bath, ​​​​​​STAXY is reshaping how people travel across sport, events, business and education. The AI-driven business was born out of a desire to make travel to ​​​​events more affordable, convenient, safe and sustainable, with an initial focus on the sports sector. The company’s flagship solution is already in use with Aston Villa F.C., and a new partnership is due to launch with the University of Manchester this month. 

The sporting world is increasingly under pressure to introduce measures to improve sustainability. Football alone accounts for 30 million tonnes of annual carbon emissions globally1, and across major sporting events fan travel represents the single largest contributor to their environmental impact2.  

​​​STAXY is tackling this challenge head-on with a smart travel platform that integrates directly into club apps and websites, giving fans access to cost-effective, green, and convenient travel options, while providing sports clubs and event organisers with invaluable data to help them create smarter, more sustainable travel strategies. 

“Travel to events is often expensive, inefficient, and environmentally damaging,” said Will Line, CEO and Co-founder of STAXY. “STAXY exists to change that. Our technology gives fans better options and clubs better data. With this new investment, we’ll be able to build on our early momentum, deepen our technology offering, and scale our impact across the events industry.” 

STAXY’s platform uses GPS and motion data from mobile devices, enhanced by Machine Learning, to provide clubs and event organisers with actionable travel insights. A bespoke sustainability dashboard delivers metrics on emissions, travel patterns, distance and cost, enabling better planning, accountability, and measurable progress towards net-zero goals. 

Matt Browning, Investment Manager at The FSE Group commented: “STAXY has developed a proven product that is already gaining strong traction with top-tier football clubs and the feedback from early customers is very positive. The committed and forward-thinking management team is supported by investors who are well-respected professionals in the industry. With a scalable business model and a clear path to growth, we’re excited to be supporting them at this critical stage of their journey.” 

Paul Jones, Senior Investment Manager, from the British Business Bank, said: “STAXY is the latest example of a tech-driven business in the region that has leveraged AI and data analytics to create a new opportunity. Their sustainable travel platform is helping organisations reduce both their costs and carbon footprint, and with South West Investment Fund support we look forward to seeing their continued growth.” 

Ben Cooper, Angel Investors Bristol, added: “We are delighted to support STAXY as they scale their innovative platform. Their mission to make event travel more sustainable, affordable, and efficient directly aligns with our focus on backing ambitious founders who are solving real-world problems with scalable technology. With early traction across leading football clubs and universities, STAXY is well-positioned to become a game-changer in sustainable travel, and we look forward to supporting the team as they accelerate their growth.” 

The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. It offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m and equity investment up to £5 million. 

The fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance. 

Taunton-based education technology company Schools BI has secured a £150,000 loan from the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund, via appointed fund manager The FSE Group, to support its continued growth and product development.

Schools BI provides data analytics solutions to schools and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), enabling them to turn fragmented data into actionable insights. With a user base of around 300 schools across 40 Trusts, alongside 30 independent schools and 35 international institutions spanning the Middle East, UAE and US, Schools BI is fast becoming a key player in the EdTech space.

The bespoke Schools BI platform integrates with existing education systems to collate and visualise data from across areas such as student performance, attendance, behaviour, HR, enrolment trends and financials. It enables senior leadership teams and operational staff to make smarter, faster, and more strategic decisions all from a single dashboard.

The funding from The FSE Group will allow Schools BI to invest in software development, platform enhancements, and the recruitment of additional staff to meet growing demand, both in the UK and internationally.

Rhys Gwillym, Founder and CEO of Schools BI, said: “This funding comes at a crucial time as we continue to scale and evolve our platform. Our mission has always been to improve outcomes by equipping school leaders with intelligent, accessible insights. With demand growing across the UK and internationally, particularly in the English-speaking education market, we are excited to expand our team and accelerate our development roadmap.”

With senior members of the management team having worked as teachers or school leaders, Schools BI has built a reputation for understanding the nuanced challenges of school data management a key USP that continues to fuel its word-of-mouth growth and client retention.

Amanda Sheppard, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, commented: “Schools BI has developed a solution that addresses a real and growing need within the education sector both in the UK and internationally. Rhys and his team bring not only strong technical capability but also deep sector knowledge, which is reflected in their product and their client relationships. We’re delighted to support their growth and look forward to seeing their continued success in the global EdTech market.”

Paul Jones from the British Business Bank said: "Schools BI is a good example of how South West businesses are using data and technology to make a real difference in their sectors. This isn’t just clever tech, it is technology built by people who know education. That combination of insight and innovation is helping them scale with confidence and we're delighted that our South West Investment Fund Fund is supporting their growth."

With the global English-language international school market growing by 7% year-on-year, Schools BI says it isis well-positioned to scale its reach and offer measurable value to more educational institutions worldwide.

The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. It offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m and equity investment up to £5 million.

The fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance.

Cambridge based Spotta, a multi-award winning provider of integrated systems for insect pest management, has secured equity investment, part-funded by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, via The FSE Group.

The investment is part of a £3.4 million funding round advancing Spotta's proprietary Artificial Intelligence and ultra-low-power Internet of Things (IoT) technology, which aims to solve the £320billion global problem of insect pests. The funding will play a crucial role in accelerating Spotta’s commercial expansion in three verticals across more than 20 countries.

Spotta's technology combines IoT and AI to deliver real-time, actionable insights for sectors adversely affected by insect pests. The company has already secured major hotel brands as customers with its Bed Pods deployed across 10000+ hotel rooms. Its 99% renewal rate in the sector is testament to the effectiveness of the technology, with a 94% detection success rate, allowing customers to achieve a 75% reduction in new bed bug issues within a year.

In agriculture, Spotta is helping farmers manage an existential threat posed by invasive pests. Deployed within crops, Spotta’s ultra-low power IoT Pods provide automatic 24/7 insect detection with information transmitted wirelessly to an AI console, enabling growers to take early action.

"Securing this investment marks a pivotal moment for Spotta," said Robert Fryers, Co-founder and CEO of Spotta. "Our technology has the potential to transform insect pest management. We have a solution that can help anywhere that insects cause issues, from helping hotels address the age-old problem of Bed Bugs, to agriculture, where we are able to increase yields by 10% whilst halving pesticide use. We are excited about the future and the positive impact our solutions will have on the environment and industry efficiency."

The company's technology not only addresses critical industry pain points but also contributes to global decarbonisation efforts. With agriculture accounting for 10% of global CO2 emissions, Spotta's ability to halve the resources consumed by insect pests could significantly reduce environmental impact.

Paul Lyristis, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, commented: "Spotta's unique combination of patented technology, robust business model, and experienced management team positions them as early leaders in their field. They have established key relationships in their target sectors - hotels, date palm production and horticultural fruit farming and we are delighted to support their growth and innovation journey."

Founded in 2018, Spotta continues to expand its market reach, envisioning growth to a £40 million revenue business by 2028. It’s scalable platform technology has the potential to enable a huge increase in productivity across a range of insect-affected markets including agriculture, forestry, textiles, and hospitality.

Cornwall-based Earth Observation (EO) technology company Aspia Space has secured a £1million equity investment from the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund via appointed fund manager, The FSE Group, as part of a £2.25 million funding round.

The investment supports the growth of Aspia Space’s ground-breaking land intelligence platform, which leverages two cutting-edge AI technologies: ClearSky and EarthPT. ClearSky is a deep learning algorithm that delivers uninterrupted, cloud-free satellite imaging data, and EarthPT is Aspia’s foundation model for Earth Observation.  By fusing advanced machine learning with expert human analysis, Aspia provides organisations with a consistent, regular and reliable stream of land intelligence, overcoming the long-standing issue of cloud cover impeding Earth Observation.

Founded in 2021 following extensive academic research, Aspia Space is applying its proprietary technology to some of the most critical global challenges, with applications spanning agriculture, insurance, land management, and environmental monitoring.

The company, based at Tremough near Falmouth, expects the funding to create 10 new roles within the next 12 months and anticipates building a team of over 100 by 2030.

Professor James Geach, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Aspia Space, said: “At Aspia we are passionate about bridging the gap between state-of-the-art technology at the interface of AI and EO and the consumability of land intelligence data derived from it.

“We’ve developed a market-leading, unified solution for consumers of downstream EO analytics, and this investment will enable us to deliver our products to a much broader market. This is a key milestone on our journey to becoming a £40million turnover business within five years. We’re delighted to receive this funding and are excited about the next phase of our growth.”

Together, ClearSky and EarthPT allow Aspia to monitor and interpret change on the land surface, uninterrupted by clouds. By converting streams of observational data into interpretable insights, Aspia delivers timely intelligence for its customers, enabling data-driven decision-making when it is most needed. This leads to improvements in efficiency, productivity, and sustainability across a range of sectors. 

Anna Staevska, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, commented: “Aspia Space’s technology is far ahead of the curve in a rapidly expanding market. Their strong leadership, deep scientific foundations and robust intellectual property place them in an excellent position to lead ongoing innovation in EO. Their offering outperforms many other ventures in this area, and we’re excited to support them as they work towards ambitious growth targets.”

Paul Jones, Senior Investment Manager from the British Business Bank added: “By combining world-class AI expertise with a clear vision for tackling global challenges, Aspia Space is positioning the UK at the forefront of the rapidly expanding Earth Observation market. The South West Investment Fund was created to help pioneering businesses like this realise their growth potential, create high-value jobs, and deliver real economic and environmental impact. We are delighted to support their next phase of growth.”

The EO market is expected to grow significantly over the next five years, driven by rising demand for sustainable agriculture, disaster risk management, and climate adaptation. A 2024 Deloitte and World Economic Forum report predicts the EO insights market will surpass $700 billion by 2030, playing a pivotal role in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions by two gigatonnes annually.

Aspia Space is already earning recognition from key industry players for its reliable, high-quality insights, and is well-positioned to become a leading force in EO innovation globally.

The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. It offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m and equity investment up to £5 million.

The fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance.

NoBACZ Healthcare, a University of Cambridge spinout developing novel products that change the way lesions and wounds are treated in livestock and horses, has raised a £4.8m funding round led by The Yield Lab, with participation from Adjuvo, ACF Investors, the University of Cambridge, Parkwalk, The FSE Group, and Cambridge Enterprise Ventures. The investment will accelerate the global commercialisation of NoBACZ’s patented ‘liquid bandage’ technology, and support the launch of new products.

Wounds on livestock and horses are typically treated with antibiotics and then covered with cloth bandages. However, this approach is often ineffective in agricultural environments where slurry can contaminate wounds, washing off antibiotics and turning bandages into infection risks.

NoBACZ Healthcare was founded by Dr Jonathan Powell and Dr Nuno Faria following their research at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Veterinary Medicine into how the body naturally builds and utilises mineral structures for its own benefit. Initially developed to solve the problem of digital dermatitis, a disease that is painful for animals and costly for farmers – and affects a quarter of all cows at any given time – their research led to the creation of NoBACZ's patent-protected ‘liquid bandage’.

The result is a robust, flexible, and waterproof coating that can be applied as a gel, dip or spray. Unlike antibiotics and cloth bandages, it creates an instant protective barrier that seals out slurry and bacteria, allowing lesions to heal without the risk of infection even in harsh environments. The coating is durable, yet biodegradable, safe in the food chain, intuitive to apply, and antibiotic-free. Independent large-scale studies have validated its effectiveness, including a Flock Health trial on 6,840 lambs, which demonstrated significantly lower mortality rates and higher market weights compared to the current industry standard.

NoBACZ is already active in international markets, with an initial focus on the UK, Ireland and Europe, alongside launches in New Zealand, the USA and Australia. The investment will be used to finalise its new pipeline of products and accelerate the commercialisation and global distribution of its existing products. In parallel with the veterinary product roadmap, they are also defining their human product opportunity.

Dr Jonathan Powell, CEO and Co-founder of NoBACZ Healthcare, said: “We founded NoBACZ Healthcare with the goal of transforming healthcare solutions for a more sustainable future whilst reducing antibiotic use. This new funding will fuel our expansion as we broaden our global product reach, launch our new range of products for the equine industry and continue to develop innovative veterinary healthcare solutions. In parallel to the veterinary product roadmap, we are starting to define our human product opportunity. We are at a pivotal and exciting moment in our company’s journey, and we look forward to working with our new and existing investors on the next phase of our growth.”

Jonathan Day, Investment Manager at The FSE Group added: “We are delighted to be joining a strong syndicate of investors in supporting NoBACZ during its next phase of growth. This exceptional management team have combined deep sector expertise with innovative technology to produce a solution that improves efficiency, effectiveness, and environmental stewardship in farming, outperforming the current market offering by some margin. We look forward to seeing them build on their impressive early adoption by UK veterinary practices, across international markets.”

Dorset-based business consultancy COGENT Executive, has secured a six-figure investment from the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund via appointed fund manager, The FSE Group.  

The funding is set to bolster the company's expansion efforts, primarily by enabling new staff hires, and enhancing marketing activity to support its growing client base. 

Founded in 2020 by CEO John McLaughlin, COGENT Executive has rapidly established itself as a leader in business consultancy. Leveraging over 25 years of experience, John has championed a delivery-first approach to transformation, working alongside senior leaders to make things happen and redefine how organisations address complex challenges. This approach has resonated with businesses, allowing COGENT to secure a growing number of high-profile, multi-national clients. 

With a robust pipeline of business opportunities, the South West Investment Fund loan will play a crucial role in expanding COGENT’s team, increasing its capacity to deliver its services to a broader range of customers. 

John McLaughlin, CEO of COGENT Executive, said: "Securing funding for growth-related activities isn’t easy, with most lenders unwilling to lend against forecasted growth. FSE took the time to understand our offering and our pipeline. We’re thrilled to receive this South West Investment Fund loan, which will enable us to capitalise on the opportunities available." 

Rob Ward, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, added: "We’re delighted to provide this funding, marking the launch of COGENT 2.0. This step-change in capability and ambition is enabling the business to scale its impact, expand its senior team and take on more complex, high-value assignments. We look forward to working with John as the business takes this new direction." 

Paul Jones, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank said: "COGENT Executive’s growth plans show the type of ambition the South West Investment Fund is here to support. By helping businesses build their capacity and reach new markets, we’re contributing to long-term economic growth across the region. We’re pleased to see the fund helping COGENT Executive unlock new opportunities through access to tailored finance.” 

The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. It offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m and equity investment up to £5 million. 

The fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance. 

Leeds based digital education specialist AXOL plans to grow its client portfolio with investment from Finance Yorkshire.

Entrepreneur Sam Jordan launched his business three years ago in response to the increasing demand for e-learning post the Covid pandemic.

Independent education providers are using Merve developed by AXOL to launch their own online learning platforms to deliver courses. Businesses are also looking to Merve for their internal training needs.

A £65,000 investment from Finance Yorkshire’s loan fund is supporting AXOL’S marketing strategy to attract new clients. The investment has also enabled the business to recruit another web developer.

Sam started his career as a web developer when he was 16. He went on to provide consultancy and IT support to businesses in Australia before returning to the UK, working in software development and digital translation services for the NHS and MoD.

Sam said: “Throughout my years of experience consulting with EdTech start-ups and scale-ups, we've undertaken third party research to validate the efficacy of our education technology and seen a substantial benefit for students.

“Digital learning enables students to learn at their own pace, providing educators with valuable insights and time to mentor those who need it. We work with clients to build or enhance their online courses and the overall e-learning experience of their students.

“The Merve platform takes all our learnings and experience, offering the ability for anyone to host their own online learning platform for a small monthly fee.”

AXOL’S e-learning platform brings several education technology tools under one umbrella – course content management, user management and compliance with regulations such as GDPR.

Sam added: “Finance Yorkshire saw the potential in what we are trying to achieve. With it’s backing, I’m confident we will succeed.”

Alex McWhirter, Finance Yorkshire’s CEO, said: “Sam has considerable experience in the digital sector which has led him to develop an innovative e-learning platform for students.

“The digital sector is thriving at both regional and national level and will contribute to the increase in growth and wealth in the Yorkshire region.

“Finance Yorkshire is supporting AXOL’S ambitions to attract more clients and grow the business from its Yorkshire base.”

Stage School Software, developer of a custom-built platform designed to manage all aspects of theatre and dance school administration, has secured a £200,000 loan from the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund via appointed fund manager, The FSE Group.  

This funding will accelerate the company’s growth by supporting further software development, marketing initiatives, and staff hires. 

Stage School Software’s Enrolio app offers a comprehensive solution that streamlines theatre and dance school management by handling tasks such as signing up students for trial classes, converting them to regular clients, and processing fees automatically. The platform also simplifies communication with students and parents through its unified messaging system. 

Chris Witham, the founder and CEO of Stage School Software, is also the owner of the well-established Swish of the Curtain Theatre School, which has been operating in Christchurch in Dorset since 1991 and now has several franchises across the south of England.  

Chris set up Stage School Software in 2023 to create an app that would meet the needs of Swish’s franchisees, while also serving as an effective resource for the wider performing arts sector. 

"This support is instrumental," said Chris Witham. "As an early-stage business with a limited track record, Stage School Software is not currently in a position to obtain high-street funding. FSE was able to see the potential of the business across the franchise base and beyond, agreeing to the South West Investment Fund loan and completing the deal just seven days later. I look forward to working with FSE in the future." 

The Enrolio platform is evolving from its initial Swish franchisee app into a white-labelled offering, allowing both Swish and non-Swish schools to create branded environments with custom domains, flexible payment setups, multi-parent support, and scalable infrastructure. 

Rob Ward, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, stated: "This is a great opportunity to fund a business that has emerged from a well-established company. Chris knows the sector so well, and his experience and connections are invaluable. He knows how to create an offering that is both wanted and needed by the performing arts sector and is providing these businesses with the tools they need to succeed." 

Paul Jones, Senior Investment Manager from the British Business Bank added: “Chris has come a long way from collecting pound coins from stage students in chilly parish halls in the 1990s to a well established performing arts franchise today. Stage School Software is a natural extension of that, applying digital innovation to remove administrative chores for theatre and dance schools across the UK. We hope support from the South West Investment Fund raises the curtain on the next stage of growth.” 

The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. It offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m and equity investment up to £5 million. 

The fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance.