NewMedia SPARK expands investment focus and re-launches as SPARK Ventures
NewMedia SPARK expands investment focus and re-launches as SPARK Ventures
NewMedia SPARK plc, the AIM-quoted venture capital investor, has announced today the re-branding of the business as SPARK Ventures plc (‘SPARK’). The change reflects the expansion of SPARK’s investment management skills beyond the ‘new media’ sector, to include the life sciences and healthcare sector following the acquisition of Quester earlier this year.
Tom Teichman, Chairman of SPARK Ventures, commented:
“We believe that the new name better reflects the evolving direction of the business, while at the same time retaining the recognised and respected brand that we have built up since the firm was founded 11 years ago and which carries a great deal of intrinsic value amongst our investors and portfolio companies. While we remain committed to the new media sector, our new name reflects the business’ expansion into, and appetite for, the management of investment opportunities across a more diverse range of sectors including technology, healthcare and life sciences”
Andrew Carruthers, CEO of SPARK Ventures, added:
“With £240 million of investments under management, SPARK is now the largest European quoted investor in the early-stage venture capital space. We continue to see excellent investment opportunities and developments across the enlarged SPARK portfolio. With several portfolio companies expected to announce key milestones in the near future, we look forward to an exciting future for SPARK Ventures.”
SPARK Ventures’ new website address is www.sparkventures.com
Enquiries:
SPARK Ventures plc
Andrew Carruthers, CEO Tel: 020 7851 7777
About Spark Ventures
SPARK Ventures is the leading quoted early-stage venture capital company in Europe. It manages £240 million on behalf of major institutional investors, leading UK universities, and three quoted venture capital trusts.
SPARK invests in entrepreneurs to create dynamic businesses in the technology, media, telecoms and healthcare & life sciences sectors. As well as capital, it brings a wealth of experience of developing high growth companies from early stage through to IPO or trade sale, adding value to its investments through active support and strategic direction.
SPARK’s focus is on building great companies from small beginnings: its experience blends ambition with the strategic, financial and commercial skills that enable it to maximise returns, both for investors and for portfolio companies.
Some of our exits include Mergermarket, Lastminute.com, Footfall, Pricerunner, Elata, Glycart, OHM and Avidex.