Further investment in Design

RNS Number : 1445A

Braveheart Investment Group plc

27 January 2011

 



27 January 2011

Braveheart Investment Group plc

Further investment in Design LED Products Ltd

Braveheart (AIM: BRH), the investment management and technology commercialisation company, ('Braveheart' or 'the Group') has made a third investment into Design LED Products Ltd ('DLP' or 'the Company'). The £1.1 million funding package comprised funds from Braveheart clients, Siemens AG, Scottish Enterprise's Scottish Co-investment and Portfolio Funds, as well as from existing shareholders and private individuals.

DLP has developed and patented technology to embed Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) within printed light-guide devices. This enables thin, flexible, high efficiency light panels and displays suitable for a range of applications from consumer electronic devices to large area LED lighting and LCD TV backlighting. The Company was formed in 2004 and is based in Livingston, Scotland.

Since its last round of funding in 2006, DLP has been adopting a twin approach of securing commercial revenue from its custom light-guide business, and undertaking research and development work to enhance the Company's proposition in professional lighting and LED TV backlighting. It was this development activity which attracted the interest of Siemens' Technology-to-Business Center ('TTB'). TTB invests in early stage technology companies whose inventions or innovations could have a significant impact on the future business of Siemens, including Siemens Group company OSRAM - a leading global lighting and LED supplier.

DLP aims to enter the high growth lighting and LCD TV backlighting market where it will seek to displace traditional and emerging LED technologies. Prototypes have already been shown to key participants in these markets with encouraging feedback.

Meanwhile, the Company's existing backlighting technology is delivering increasing commercial revenue and has been embedded into several applications available in the market today. Other opportunities exist with light-guide applications including human machine interfaces, automotive lighting and medical devices.

Geoffrey Thomson, Braveheart's Chief Executive, said of the investment: "We are extremely encouraged by recent developments at Design LED Products, and are pleased to be able to offer the Company our continued support. This funding will enable the Company to progress with its emerging applications, and to fully commercialise the existing product line."

Stuart Bain, CEO of Design LED added: "The Company's recognition within the sector has been very encouraging. This investment is a testament to the technology and gives Design LED an excellent platform from which to gain significant market share."

For further information please visit www.braveheartinvestmentgroup.co.uk and www.designledproducts.com or contact:

 

Braveheart Investment Group	Design LED Products
Geoffrey Thomson, Chief Executive	Stuart Bain, Chief Executive
Tel: [phone]	Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Siemens TTB
Dr. Ulrich Eberl [phone]
[e-mail]
Seymour Pierce Limited (Nominated Adviser to Braveheart)	Allerton Communications (for Braveheart)
John Cowie/Freddy Crossley (Nominated Adviser)	Peter Curtain
Jeremy Stephenson/Paul Jewell (Broker)	Tel: [phone]
Tel: [phone]	[e-mail]

Notes to Editors

Braveheart Investment Group makes and manages investments in young, emerging British companies, specialising in building tax efficient portfolios for business angels, high net worth individuals and family offices. Braveheart was founded in 1997 by a small group of investors to encourage and syndicate investments in privately held companies that offered opportunities for significant growth. Fourteen years on, Braveheart is a public company with a demonstrable track record in technology investing, an established client base and various funds under management.  The Group has offices in Perth, London, Yorkshire and Jersey with franchise operations in Dubai and Manchester.

Investments are made in unlisted companies where there is potential for significant growth through successful commercialisation of IP. Through close relationships with leading universities and innovation centres, Braveheart has access to a wide variety of emerging commercial opportunities at early stages. There are currently some 45 companies in Braveheart's diverse portfolio (includes all companies where the Group has a financial interest) and it has completed more than 90 deals.

Following the 2010 acquisition of Envestors Limited, the London based specialist corporate finance advisory business, Braveheart offers a unique and comprehensive suite of tax efficient products to high net worth investors.

 

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