Pembridge is to play a key role extending the successful gateway2investment (g2i) programme into the Creative Industries, it was announced today by the London Development Agency (LDA). g2i provides investment-readiness expertise and support to London's start-up and early stage companies. The £1.7 million programme will be delivered by a consortium comprising Pembridge Partners, E-Synergy, Grant Thornton, The Innovatory, Library House and Quotec.
"We are pleased to be able to make g2i available to many more early stage, high growth potential companies in London," said Heather Lindsay of the LDA.
"This extra funding will enable g2i to extend its reach into the creative and other key sectors, helping companies to raise the investment they need to generate the business success and jobs that will underpin London’s future economic success."
g2i was launched and led by Grant Thornton in 2005 to advise and support technology companies seeking development capital of between £50,000 and £2 million to grow their businesses. The original three-year g2i contract has now been extended to December 2008. So far, the programme has helped leverage more than £14 million of private sector funding with more companies currently in discussions with investors.
The expansion will be marked by a launch event on Wednesday October 24th. Guest speaker will be high profile publicist and public relations entrepreneur Mark Borkowski who will talk about his experience starting in business and the difficulties faced by today’s creative entrepreneurs and innovators.
"Working across three continents, we see growing interest world-wide in the Creative Industries as a force for economic regeneration and growth. But it's also clear that London stands out as a real powerhouse in this sector in both creative and commercial terms. We're delighted to join g2i's successful consortium as it turns its attention to this vibrant and exciting sector of the economy," said Pembridge Managing Partner David Prais.
"We are delighted that the LDA has decided to extend the programme to include a range of new sectors both to the benefit of the companies and the Capital as a whole," said Grant Thornton’s Simon Littlewood, manager of the G2i programme.
"In today’s market it makes sense to broaden its remit to new sectors. Convergence is a real force in the business world and the overlap in sectors such as media, technology and creativity is increasing.
"But those companies seeking investment funding must do everything they can to stand out from the crowd as high quality investment propositions and just as importantly, they need access to the investment community itself. G2i aims to help companies prepare themselves for scrutiny and to open doors to the decision-makers."
Creative Industries companies and organisations seeking information about g2i are welcome to contact Cate Han, g2i project leader at Pembridge.
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