Acceleris (Seneca Partners)

Investment Range

£250k – £2m (willing to work alongside other investors to raise more substantial amounts if necessary)

Stage Preferences

Business plan only, Product/Service ready to launch, Making early sales, Funding for growth.

Funds Under Management

Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) arranger for high net worth’s. Bought by Seneca in 2014.

“We have a focus on technology and high value added companies and ensure an active involvement with the companies post investment. Through our active network of High Net Worth investors and strong relationships with institutional investors, we are well placed to deploy funds into all transaction stages from early-stage through development to acquisition.”

Permissions include:

Arranging (bringing about) deals in investments
Establishing and operating an unregulated investment scheme
Managing investments

For the following customer categories:

Eligible counter parties
Professional
Retail (investment)

Business and consultancy services are carried out for client companies covering accounting and administration support, business planning and investor documentation. Independent Non- Executive Directors are appointed to the companies that Acceleris advises and introduces investment into.

Eligibility

Companies must display the following characteristics:

Address a large or fast growing market sector
Possess a demonstrable competitive advantage with a strong patent position where appropriate
Operate a sound business model
Deliver high margins
Have a strong and experienced management team
Be attractive exit candidates
Have a high return potential

How A Decision Is Made

An independent Committee will identify opportunities with a view to building a spread of investments. Post investment monitoring and reporting will be from Seneca Partners as the fund manager. All investors in the fund will be offered co-investment rights in every investment. Investments will always be made following acceptable due diligence and will always be alongside professional institutional investors. Six monthly reports will ensure progress is monitored. No investments will be made.

Example companies

Vapour Cloud Ltd ("Vapour")

The cloud services provider is continuing with ambitious growth plans after securing a million-pound package of funding arranged by Manchester based Acceleris.

“With the new funding and an experienced senior management team, the combined business now has the fire power to drive significant growth through its unique ‘one-stop-shop’ sales offering. We are excited about working with the Vapour team and supporting them on their journey as they continue to grow.”

Why they invested

“With the new funding and an experienced senior management team, the combined business now has the fire power to drive significant growth through its unique ‘one-stop-shop’ sales offering. We are excited about working with the Vapour team and supporting them on their journey as they continue to grow.”

The Frank Food Company

The Frank Food Company was established to manufacture and distribute a vegan energy bar.

“What we saw was a new, different product for the ‘free-from’ category, which is growing. We also had [the bars] looked at by a food technology expert and his view was that it was unique and probably one of the best quality snack bars he’d come across. Those two things ticked our boxes in terms of it being a growth opportunity.”

Swellaway

The Swellaway therapy wrap and wireless controller is a patented state of the art device that combines thermal, compression and sensory technology, to provide effective treatment for common musculoskeletal injuries. Utilising revolutionary technology the wrap is an electronic device, offering treatment without any pipes, water or ice.

In undertaking thorough market research, including beta product development, surveys and product testing, Swellaway were able to identify a massive gap in the market and closely align themselves with high value customer needs.

Directory