Five Star Parks & Attractions, backed by Fruition Partners, a Denver-based private equity firm, has completed the acquisition of two separate companies that operate family entertainment centres (FEC’s) in a move that significantly expands its offerings throughout the Midwest and southern United States. The transactions combine a portfolio of five locations from Dubby’s Attractions and five from Celebration Station. Five Star recently acquired five Dubby’s attractions in two of the country’s leading vacation destinations.   John Dunlap, who most recently served as president of SeaWorld and Aquatica in San Diego, is leading the efforts at Five Star Parks & Attractions

Loyal Guru, a B2B SaaS company that operates the world’s only customer data platform with integrated loyalty capabilities built specifically with retailers in mind, has secured EUR8 million in the Series A round led by Nauta Capital. Existing investors include Greycroft and THCap. Loyal Guru provides a state-of-the-art cloud-based solution that disrupts the retail space with hyper-personalised, omnichannel loyalty and engagement solutions. Headquartered in Barcelona, Spain and with customers spanning 12 countries, Loyal Guru drives transformational change for customers including Mango, Dia Group, Cencosud, and Spar.   The latest round of investment will enable Loyal Guru to further its growth

Alchemy Machinesm an AI startup using Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) to transcribe, analyse, and summarise legal-specific web meetings and phone calls, has raised USD400,000 in a pre-seed funding round led by SFC Capital. The funding – which includes Innovate UK grant funding – will support further development of the platform and growth of the team.  Alchemy Machines’ software produces transcriptions that capture not only the words spoken but also the emotion and sentiment behind them. Founder and CEO, Dia Thanki and her team, developed the platform with the aim of reducing transcription costs for law

Silico, an AI-powered decision making platform, has completed a GBP3.4 million seed round led by Join Capital. Existing investors Forward Partners and high-profile angel investors from the B2B and Enterprise Automation space, also particpated. Silico empowers organisations to continuously test the impact of different outcomes in a ‘risk-free’ simulation environment before they make changes in the real world.  Using simulation technology, Silico enables businesses to explore different scenarios to ultimately make better decisions. The AI-powered, no-code platform is often used to support businesses through digital or change transformations or to streamline financial planning, demand forecasting and margin optimisation.

Praetura Ventures has invested GBP1.5 million into a Manchester-based start-up that uses AI and in-depth data to help big brand merchandising teams make better stock buying and pricing decisions. Sparkbox’s solution, which is trusted by River Island and Matchesfashion.com, enables retailers to forecast demand, optimise their pricing and promotions and plan inventory to reduce waste and the need for big discounts.     Sparkbox will use Praetura Ventures’ investment to double its team and onboard further fashion, home and seasonal retailers, where deadstock is a constant challenge.   In line with Praetura Ventures’ commitment to providing more than money support

NPIF – Maven Equity Finance, managed by Maven Capital Partners (Maven) and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF) has invested GBP500,000 in Yimba Ltd (Yimba). Yimba has developed a digital wallet technology that allows banks to deliver personalised banking services to their consumers via mobile banking and payment wallet integrations. The funding will enable the business to invest in product development, expand its team to service a growing number of customers, and create 10-plus high value jobs in the region. The funding has been seen as the most effective way of boosting growth whilst earning the support of an

Plum Life has closed a USD5.3 million seed round led by ManchesterStory with additional participation from MTech Capital, Sonostar Ventures and other investors. This round of funding will be used to make several key hires, continue the enhancement the platform and drive sales through targeted advisor outreach. Plum Life offers agents a fully digital, friction-free selling experience enabling a quicker, more efficient life insurance sale. The platform is designed to be a one-stop-shop for Agents to manage the entire sales process: from application submission to case management and commission reconciliation. 

FluidOne, a portfolio company of UK mid-market private equity investor Livingbridge, has acquired SAS Global Group (SAS), a provider of managed networks and IT services to mid-market and enterprise customers. This transaction marks FluidOne’s third bolt-on during Livingbridge’s tenure. Founded in 1989, SAS designs, deploys and manages SD-WAN hybrid networks, which are supported by its innovative monitoring and management portal, serving over 150 customers with sites in 65 countries, with a focus on companies that have over 1,000 employees.

Digital agency CTI Group (CTI) has secured a GBP25 million minority investment from mid-market private equity firm LDC, to support the next stage of its international growth plans. Headquartered in Manchester, award-winning CTI helps companies to grow and develop through digital transformation, providing a range of services that includes digital marketing, web and app development and digital strategy. Founded almost 20 years ago, it has developed an enviable reputation as an industry leader through its commitment to its people, its clients and its use of cutting-edge technologies.    LDC’s investment will help the existing management team, led by Founder Nick