In light of the spiralling cost of traditional forms of energy and an increasing urgency to hit clean energy targets, renewable energy solutions are becoming more attractive, which is why, more companies are investing in sustainability, cleantech and the drive to net zero. The period 2000 to early 2002 alone saw £80.95bn invested from 2,400 investors into the sector in the UK – equivalent to 18% of all European investment in the sector. Energy production had the highest level of investment at more than £20bn, followed by energy asset cleantech at £17bn.   In this article we look at some of…

To ensure your interests and your business are protected you need an experienced team advising you so the final terms are both fair and workable in the long term. If you are considering a funding round, congratulations! It’s an incredible achievement to build a business that is worthy of external investment. That said, if this is new territory for you, it’s highly recommended to seek professional support, including lawyers and accountants, to guide you through the process.| Thinking about a Funding Round? The type of investor you want to attract will be astute and experienced. To ensure your interests and…

You may need finance for your business to fund growth projects, maybe to fund the purchase of plant and equipment, diversification, or expansion.  Maybe the need to raise finance is to complete a management buy-out, to acquire a competitor or a complementary business, to purchase a freehold or leasehold commercial property, or to invest in a new corporate project. Whatever the reason you need to consider the finance options open to you and their potential pros and cons.  The devil is in the detail when it comes to commercial finance. Once you have identified your preferred funding provider and cleared…

Could a business angel be the answer to your startup business prayers?  Early-stage businesses are generally in need of funding to bring an idea to market but sometimes funding alone is not enough to help them thrive, especially when expertise is critical to success. A business angel could be a good solution to explore and consider because they can provide both expertise and finance.   What is a business angel?  Probably the most known business angels are those that sit in the BBC’s Dragons Den. A business angel is generally a high-net-worth individual who manages a portfolio of investments made…

The most common reason why a director will be required to provide a personal guarantee is because a lender or supplier perceives a level of risk in your business. Perhaps the lender is not confident that your business cash flow is liquid enough to fulfil its obligations. Maybe they feel that, while your business is financially secure, your sector or industry is too volatile, and they need further protection. Perhaps your business has had a history of late payments, defaults, or liquidity issues in the past.

As a law firm proactive in the startup sector we can support the legal aspect of your fundraising activity.

The government has announced the £250m Future Fund aimed at helping start up, scale up and venture backed businesses impacted by coronavirus.

All businesses have times during which receipts of income slow down, suppliers do not deliver, and customers close or go to a competitor. While it is a necessary business skill to be able to take the rough with the smooth and concentrate on how to counteract unforeseen events, would you be able to spot the signs that your business is in financial trouble?

If you are the director of a private limited company in England or Wales you can take comfort from the fact that you will not generally be personally liable for any debts the company incurs while you are in post. However, there are exceptions and when they arise you need to seek prompt legal advice to contain the damage.

Getting the finance in place to enable a management buyout to proceed can be challenging for the management team. There will be a number of people involved in the decision-making process, all of whom will have differing levels of experience, personal financial security and appetite for risk, and all of whom will be trying to pull a deal together while still doing their day job. In these circumstances, it is essential for the business owner and management team to work together to get the buyout arrangement over the line