Crown Plus Secures £3.9m from Mercia Ventures for Expansion
Deal News | Feb 28, 2025 | Mercia Fund Management (Mercia Ventures)
Crown Plus, a highways drainage contractor based in Telford, has secured a £3.9 million investment from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, managed by Mercia Ventures. This funding will aid Crown Plus in acquiring new equipment and scaling up operations, enabling them to take on more significant projects. Established in 2015 by civil engineers Paul Conner and Gary Price, Crown Plus has grown significantly, nearly tripling its turnover in three years. It employs over 50 staff and plans to double its workforce by 2030. With proprietary innovations such as the VERGEBlaster, Crown Plus offers efficient and environmentally friendly drainage solutions, reducing waste through on-site weed extraction and gravel cleaning. The investment comes as part of the fund's broader commitment to supporting ambitious Midlands-based businesses. Legal advice for the deal was provided by Azets, with additional legal counsel coming from James Skivington, Alex O'Donoughue, Miranda Foy, and CG Professional.
Sectors
- Infrastructure & Construction
- Private Equity & Venture Capital
Geography
- United Kingdom – Crown Plus operates in the Midlands and South West of the UK, and the investment comes from a UK-based fund.
- Midlands – The article emphasizes the focus on supporting businesses in the Midlands through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II.
Industry
- Infrastructure & Construction – The article discusses Crown Plus's role in highways drainage, highlighting the infrastructure and civil engineering aspect of its operations.
- Private Equity & Venture Capital – The investment from Mercia Ventures to support Crown Plus's growth identifies the involvement of private equity activity.
Financials
- £3.9m – Investment provided to Crown Plus by the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II through Mercia Ventures.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crown Plus | Target Company | Company | A highways drainage contractor based in Telford, founded in 2015. |
| Mercia Ventures | Investor | Company | The fund manager appointed to manage the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, providing the investment. |
| Midlands Engine Investment Fund II | Funding Source | Government | A fund established to provide financing to small businesses in the Midlands region of the UK. |
| Paul Conner | Co-Founder | Person | Co-founder and Director of Crown Plus. |
| Gary Price | Co-Founder | Person | Co-founder of Crown Plus. |
| British Business Bank | Government Body | Government | Provides support to the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II. |
| Azets | Advisor | Company | Provided fundraising advice to Crown Plus. |
| James Skivington | Legal Advisor | Person | Provided legal advice to Mercia Ventures. |
| Alex O'Donoughue | Legal Advisor | Person | Provided legal advice to Mercia Ventures. |
| Miranda Foy | Legal Advisor | Person | Provided legal advice to Mercia Ventures. |
| CG Professional | Legal Advisor | Company | Provided legal advice to Crown Plus. |
| Rafael Joseph | Investor Representative | Person | Representative of Mercia Ventures providing insight on the investment. |