Envestors Limited ('Envestors'), the award-winning private investor network dedicated to helping investors source dynamic companies in need of growth capital, has participated in a £3.5 million equity funding round for Ebury Partners UK Limited ('Ebury' or 'Ebury Partners'), the specialist foreign currency provider.
Of this, £1.15 million was sourced from the Envestors network.
Envestors is a wholly owned subsidiary of Braveheart Investment Group plc (BRH), the AIM-listed investment management group providing debt/equity and advisory services to SMEs and servicing the investment requirements of business angels, high net worth individuals, family offices, and public sector organisations.
As a specialist foreign exchange provider, Ebury Partners distinguishes itself from banks and other niche firms by offering tailored services and competitive pricing to all its clients, whatever their size, and by focusing on technological innovation. Ebury Partners is one of the fastest growing foreign exchange and international payments platforms in the UK and Europe, with some 100 staff. The company expects to use the funds raised to more than double its turnover whilst expanding operations in continental Europe.
Ebury Partners serves the international transaction needs of companies with £10 million-plus international turnover, covering more than 80 currencies and offering proprietary technology solutions for automated payment, risk and compliance. Licensed and regulated by HM Revenue & Customs and registered with the Financial Conduct Authority, Ebury is a team of professionals with more than 20 years' experience in the foreign exchange markets.
"Envestors took a radically different approach, not only preparing us fully, but also introducing us to high-net-worth investors in territories such as Jersey, who were genuinely interested and tremendously helpful," said Salvador Garcia Andres, Chief Executive of Ebury Partners. "The money will enable us to hasten organic growth, boost our platform and sales capabilities and move into new geographies and products. We're thrilled with this outcome." Salvador was previously at Rabobank and ABN AMRO and before that, at the hedge fund group Vega Capital.
Also on the board is Juan Lobato, a Londoon-based technology entrepreneur who founded BaseKit, the venture-backed website builder where he is CEO. After McKinsey & Co, he ran then sold beam.tv, a digital distribution network for advertising. Juan targets opportunities where technology can improve processes and enable international growth.
Scott Haughton, Director of Envestors, said: "As we extend our network both geographically and through the investment spectrum, we're able to tap into greater pools of wealth among individuals, family offices and specialist funds - many of them attracted by the Enterprise Investment Scheme. This enables great companies such as Ebury Partners to raise the growth capital they require, and on terms that are most suitable for them."