Acquisition of Elderstreet Investments Limited

RNS Number : 0007Q

Draper Esprit PLC

24 November 2016

 

For immediate release: 07.00, 24 November 2016

DRAPER ESPRIT PLC

("Draper Esprit" or the "Company")

ACQUISITION OF AWARD WINNING VCT MANAGER

ELDERSTREET INVESTMENTS LIMITED

Draper Esprit (AIM: GROW, ESM: GRW), one of the leading venture capital firms involved in the creation, funding and development of high-growth digital technology businesses, announces that it has acquired a 30.77% stake in Elderstreet Holdings Limited, the holding company of Elderstreet Investments Limited ("Elderstreet"), with an option to acquire the balance of the Elderstreet shares in due course.  Elderstreet, a leading UK Venture Capital Trust ("VCT") manager, manages Elderstreet VCT plc ("Elderstreet VCT") which currently has assets in excess of £25 million.

Elderstreet provides early stage, development and growth capital for ambitious UK businesses, in most industry sectors with a focus on software and computer services.  In 2014, it won the Investment Company of the Year Awards and was VCT Fund Manager of the Year in 2009 and 2010.

The initial consideration has been satisfied by the issue of 73,667 new ordinary shares of one pence each in the capital of the Company (the "Consideration Shares").  The Consideration Shares will be subject to an 18 months lock-in (subject to customary exceptions). Application will be made for the Consideration Shares to be admitted to AIM and ESM, with trading expected to commence on 29 November 2016 ("Admission"). Upon Admission, the Consideration Shares will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing Ordinary Shares of the Company.  Following the issue of the Consideration Shares, the Company's issued share capital consists of 40,747,576 Ordinary Shares.

Following the acquisition, Simon Cook, CEO of Draper Esprit, has joined the board and the investment committee of Elderstreet.

Simon Cook, CEO Draper Esprit commented: "We have acquired a stake in a leading VCT manager in the UK, who share our core investment philosophy and we are delighted to be working with the experienced Elderstreet team.  We can now offer to investors access to high growth technology companies through a range of vehicles from EIS funds, to VCTs and an ISA qualifying listed evergreen patient capital vehicle with combined assets of over £350m.  Draper Esprit is now firmly on the map as one of the major European managers of technology venture capital and growth capital with a long history of successful acquisitions such as 3i's European VC portfolio, Prelude Investment Trust, Top Technology fund and Cazenove's VC fund."

Michael Jackson, Chairman Elderstreet Investments Limited added: "Draper Esprit and Elderstreet are well-aligned in terms of investment strategy and most importantly a culture of active asset management in the unquoted companies sector. For our VCT shareholders this co-investment agreement brings enhanced deal flow and the ability to invest alongside Draper Esprit funds into larger more established fast growing businesses.  Given the recent changes in VCT rules imposed last year we view the deal as a positive step forward for our VCT shareholders".

Draper Esprit will announce interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2016 on Monday 28 November 2016.

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Enquiries

Draper Esprit plc Simon Cook (Chief Executive Officer)	[phone]
Numis Securities Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker Alex Ham Richard Thomas Paul Gillam	[phone]
Goodbody Stockbrokers ESM Adviser & Joint Broker Don Harrington Linda Hickey Dearbhla Gallagher	[phone]
Belvedere Communications (PR) John West Kim van Beeck	[phone]

Notes to Editors

Draper Esprit (www.draperesprit.com) was founded in 2006, and is one of the largest and most active VC firms in Europe, helping entrepreneurs to build global ground-breaking technology companies.

In 2016 it moved its primary funds into a listed PLC model (LSE: GROW.L) in order to take a longer term, multi-stage, patient capital approach. In recent years, Draper Esprit's exits have generated more than $4 billion in combined enterprise value.

Draper Esprit is the exclusive European member of the Silicon Valley-based Draper Global Network with offices around the world, with portfolio companies including Baidu, Skype, Space X, Tesla and other world leading companies.

 

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