While stockmarket deals have been in short supply in recent months there has been plenty of investment activity in the private arena. Private UK companies raised £14.9bn in the first half of 2022, according to Beauhurst.
The number of deals was 10% higher at 1,456 with particularly strong activity in the first quarter. However, even more of the fundraisings were in London – 51.8% during the period. Sometimes companies have a head office address in London, but their main operations are outside of the capital.
The figures cover 1 January to 30 June 2022 and include all publicly announced fundraisings by non-quoted companies.
Where the money is going
Venture and seed rounds dominate in terms of numbers, but growth fundraisings account for £7.32bn of the total. There were 29 cash calls of more than £100m in the first half of 2022, which is the highest number for a six-month period. The deals between £50m and £100m fell from 38 to 35.
The largest fundraising was by Britishvolt, which is developing lithium-ion battery cells for electric vehicles. The Northumberland-based company raised £1.7bn, which is nearly 12% of the total raised.
The majority of the larger fundraisings were by fintech companies, and they accounted for the largest number of deals. Artificial intelligence and clean technology were not far behind.
Business angels are becoming an increasingly important source of cash with 353 deals in the period. There were 281 crowdfunding deals, with Seedrs handling 137 and Crowdcube 101 – although £76.5m was raised through Crowdcube against £69.1m through Seedrs.
