Scottish Enterprise’s investment arm, the Scottish Investment Bank (SIB), invested GBP66.5m into 155 Scottish companies during 2014/15, leveraging a record private sector investment of GBP99m.
SIBs investment has more than doubled the amount invested during the previous year, and sees a total of 46 new companies being added to Scottish Enterprise’s investment portfolio.
The organisation has also revealed that it generated over GBP9.5m of income from its investment activities.
Scottish Enterprise also invested an additional GBP6.2m, alongside other investors, into the Scottish Loan Fund, managed by Maven Capital Partners, which lent to twelve established SMEs with ambitious growth plans.
Kerry Sharp (pictured), Head of the Scottish Investment Bank, says: “Scotland is bursting with dynamic businesses with big growth ambitions and in the last year, we have worked with a range of companies at different stages of their development, from start ups such as Big Data for Humans through to expanding companies going global, such as Clyde Bioscience.
“We have continued to invest into Scotland’s growth sectors, including life and chemical sciences, energy, technology and advanced engineering, creative industries and food and drink. We’ve also welcomed nine new investment partners, including seven from outside Scotland, and this is as a very positive endorsement of our ambitious Scottish company base.
“We now have a portfolio of 275 growing companies, employing over 3500 people generating real economic impact for Scotland.”
Deputy First Minister John Swinney, says: “These welcome figures highlight a strong performance by the Scottish Investment Bank and private sector investment partners. This report shows companies receiving investment are creating quality jobs and driving significant economic growth in Scotland in world renowned technology fields, like life sciences, enabling technology and renewables. High growth companies with global market ambitions are key to support and accelerate economic growth and unlock Scotland’s long-term potential.”
