Puma Investments Opens £15m Fundraise for Alpha VCT
Funding | Jan 15, 2025 | Puma Capital Group
Puma Investments has launched a new £15 million fundraise aimed at bolstering its Puma Alpha VCT, which provides investors with access to a diverse portfolio of high-potential scale-up companies. The VCT, known for strong performance since its inception in 2019, has declared two dividends, with shareholders as of February 28, 2025, eligible for a forthcoming dividend in March 2025. The VCT's portfolio has expanded from 10 to 18 companies, including Lucky Saint, Ron Dorff, and CameraMatics, with recent investments into Aveni and follow-on investments in Bikmo and Thingtrax, as well as additional funding supporting Pockit’s acquisition of Monese. Puma's approach emphasizes active partnership with companies to fuel growth prospects.
Sectors
- Venture Capital
- Private Equity
- Financial Services
Geography
- United Kingdom – The article discusses a fundraise by Puma Investments, a UK-based entity, with investments primarily in UK companies.
Industry
- Venture Capital – Puma Alpha VCT is a venture capital trust investing in high-potential scale-up businesses.
- Private Equity – Puma Investments is a private equity firm managing the fundraise and investment strategy for Puma Alpha VCT.
- Financial Services – The fundraise and investments involve financial services development, such as investments in fintech companies.
Financials
- £15 million – The fundraise amount for Puma Alpha VCT.
- 3p dividend – An upcoming dividend payable in March 2025 to shareholders of Puma Alpha VCT.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puma Capital Group | Parent Company | Company | Holding company involved in private equity and venture capital activities, including managing Puma Alpha VCT. |
| Puma Investments | Fund Manager | Company | The private equity firm managing the Puma Alpha VCT and its investments. |
| Puma Alpha VCT | Target | Company | A venture capital trust raising funds to invest in high-potential scale-up companies. |
| Lucky Saint | Portfolio Company | Company | Alcohol-free beer brand invested in by Puma Alpha VCT. |
| Ron Dorff | Portfolio Company | Company | Premium menswear brand invested in by Puma Alpha VCT. |
| CameraMatics | Portfolio Company | Company | Fleet technology specialist invested in by Puma Alpha VCT. |
| Aveni | New Investment | Company | Provider of generative AI solutions for the UK financial services industry, newly invested in by Puma Alpha VCT. |
| Bikmo | Portfolio Company | Company | Company receiving follow-on investment from Puma Alpha VCT. |
| Thingtrax | Portfolio Company | Company | Company receiving follow-on investment from Puma Alpha VCT. |
| Pockit | Portfolio Company | Company | Fintech business that received further funding to support its acquisition of Monese. |
| Monese | Acquisition Target | Company | Company being acquired by Pockit with support from Puma Alpha VCT investment. |