PXN Group: A New £670m Northern Investment Giant
Deal News | Jun 18, 2025 | praetura ventures
The article announces the merger of two key investment firms in the North of the UK, Praetura Ventures and Par Equity, leading to the formation of PXN Group. With £670 million in assets under management, the group aims to become a leading investment entity outside of London, focusing on areas traditionally underserved by venture capital. This strategic merger combines the strengths and expertise of Praetura and Par Equity to fund early-stage and scale-up businesses, offering investments ranging from £200,000 to £8 million. PXN Group will also continue legacy initiatives like the Par EIS Fund and several institutional mandates by Praetura. The merger requires approval from the Financial Conduct Authority, and PXN Group plans to expand its portfolio of 115 companies with new funding programs and partnerships.
Sectors
- Private Equity & Venture Capital
- Financial Services
- Technology
Geography
- United Kingdom – The merger involves firms based in the North of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, impacting the wider UK investment landscape.
- London – The article mentions the concentration of venture capital in London compared to the underserved regions in the North where the merger aims to focus.
Industry
- Private Equity & Venture Capital – The article discusses a merger between two venture capital firms, creating a new investment entity.
- Financial Services – The article mentions the creation of new investment products and expanded financial services as part of the merger.
- Technology – Par Equity focuses on supporting tech companies, which is a part of the combined entity's investment focus.
Financials
- £670 million – Assets under management for the newly formed PXN Group.
- £200,000 to £8 million – Range of equity investments PXN Group will provide.
- £75 million – Amount raised by Par Equity's first institutional Scale-Up Fund in 2023.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PXN Group | Merged Entity | Company | The new entity formed by the merger of Praetura Ventures and Par Equity. |
| Praetura Ventures | Merging Company | Company | A Manchester-based venture capital firm known for its regional investment focus. |
| Par Equity | Merging Company | Company | An Edinburgh-founded venture capital firm known for supporting tech companies with its angel network and managed funds. |
| Financial Conduct Authority | Regulatory Authority | Government | The body that needs to approve the merger. |
| Dave Foreman | CEO of PXN Group | Person | Founder of Praetura Ventures, now leading PXN Group. |
| Paul Munn | Executive Chair of PXN Group | Person | Founder of Par Equity, now in a leadership role at PXN Group. |