Could your company do with a financial boost? Schroder Ventures has put out a brochure offering advice to companies looking to venture capital, as an alternative means of medium to long term finance. Peter Smitham, who heads Schroder’s information technology team, says he has some UKP250m available for new investments, but is only interested in companies looking for UKP500,000 and above. Since 1985, Schroder has advised over UKP50m investment in 20 computer firms, some 24% of its total investment for the period. It currently backs over 60 software, systems, telecommunications and electronics firms, including Maidenhead-based accounting software company Tetra Ltd; networking systems company Newbridge Networks Inc of Ottawa, Canada; and was in ICL Plc’s Warrington-based Technology Plc. Worldwide, Schroder advises UKP1,500m funds from eight offices in Europe, Japan and North America.
