Case studies
Start-up program: Silicon Vineyard
A local company of renewable energy installers approached CoVentures to see if we could help develop the idea of installing large scale PV projects. CoVentures has now put together a complete team and plan and commenced signing up solar array customers which has enebaled the raising of capital. The company has begun to develop its own installation products for both field and building mounted that are particularly suited to the UK environment, and will shortly look to designing and building its own proprietary feed-in (grid) and UPS power modules.
One of the mentors acts as the main point of contact for the company as it enters the market (Launch Director) and the team comes into position. UECE Ltd holds a 10% equity stake, and charges NED fees once the capital is raised and the company starts earning revenues.
Venture capital program: Naturepaint Ltd
CoVentures has been working with this company for a number of years, helping it to re-locate to Cornwall. The company has developed a patented, solvent and fume free natural paint product that uses clay as a base material. The ‘hard yards’ of product development have now mainly been achieved [R&D Management] and the company has recently acquired B&Q and Homebase as distributors [Trading Partners].
CoVentures is now helping the company prepare itself [Documentation] to approach a very active venture capital company in London [Fund Raising] in order to raise enough equity capital to increase manufacturing capacity and push the product into Europe and the US.
CoVentures will secure capital raising fees and take a seat on the board in a NED role once capital has been raised.
Business development program: Wattsure
A Devon based company, Natural Watt, has developed an on-line device that measures and uses diagnostic tools for maintenance of renewable energy products. CoVentures has helped them negotiate with a local Cornish manufacturer [Sourcing Production] to reduce their costs and introduced them to the largest installer of renewable energy in the UK [Trading Partners].
Once traction in terms of sales has been achieved, CoVentures will help the company prepare for investment [Pre-Structuring] in order to raise finance for expansion requirements [Fund Raising].
CoV will earn its fees by taking a sales commission for units sold as a direct result of the company’s introduction and by helping the company raise capital. It will also take a NED role on the board.
Recession protection program: Mount Wellington
A local dis-used mining site near Bissoe in Cornwall, CoVentures is helping the company look at attracting eco-commercial companies [New Products] and finance partners [Re-Structuring] to develop a leading eco-commercial business park. There are also a number of other opportunities such as large scale PV installation [Trading Partners] storage and support requirements which can be fee earning.
CoVentures is helping the company deal with local BSSP partners in order to help it attract new companies and it is likely that a number of offers will materialise in the next few months to help fund development [Fund Raising].
CoVentures will take a NED role in this company and earn commission from any capital that it helps raise.
