Duff & Phelps, a provider of governance, risk and transparency solutions, has launched its Equity Match service, which matches the equity funding requirements of UK based SMEs with specialist equity investors from a select network.Equity Match provides SMEs with access to difficult-to-find equity investors who are willing to inject smaller sums not usually associated with the appetite of the mainstream private equity market.
Paul Reeves, Managing Director, Restructuring Advisory, Duff & Phelps, says: “This new offering is about matching the requirements of an enterprise with potential investors who we feel most closely align in terms of cultural fit. We have access to a network of investors who are able to provide equity funding between GBP100,000–GBP2 million for growth, stressed and distressed scenarios—an invaluable resource that SMEs can tap into.
“We often come across businesses that need a cash injection over and above their conventional debt facilities. Equity Match looks to address a gap in the market where the SME space is often overlooked. We have a carefully chosen network of over 70 separate funders ranging from individual entrepreneurs to family offices to smaller equity houses, all of whom share a common theme—a willingness to invest smaller amounts.”
One of the key differentiators of the service is in introducing business owners to investors who may also be willing to offer hands-on support and guidance.
“The right investor partner can help a business achieve its ambitions in a sustainable, considered way. Their strategic guidance and know-how can be invaluable in assisting a business to execute its growth or turnaround plan and stay on track. This adds another crucial level of support for businesses, no more so than during the economic challenge arising from Covid-19,” says Reeves.
Whilst gaining access to much-needed cash is vital for businesses at certain points along their trading journey, there is also often a pressing desire to tap into the sector-specific expertise that many industry-based investors are willing to provide. Wherever a business is within its business cycle, there are investors out there for any situation and Duff & Phelps’ Equity Match service provides access to a carefully chosen network.
