Oxford Innovation Finance has been commissioned by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme to deliver The Beacon Fund, a pioneering new equity investment initiative supporting ambitious early-stage businesses across the region.
Initially funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, The Beacon Fund is designed to address a critical market gap for early-stage equity investment.
A “sustainable, long-term funding vehicle”, The Beacon Fund will aim to help nurture Cornwall’s next generation of high-growth businesses by offering flexible, targeted equity investment of between £20k and £200k per transaction.
Designed to work alongside existing investors, including the South West Investment Fund, Cornwall Angel Network and wider UK private investment communities, the fund will bring co-investment deals to fruition and deliver tailored financial support at critical growth junctures. It will be coupled with expert investment readiness advice delivered through The Founders Collective, Oxford Innovation Advice’s established accelerator programme.
Chris Oliver, investment principal at Oxford Innovation Finance and Fund Lead, said: “The Beacon Fund represents a significant step change in early stage equity investment for Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly. For some time we have been aware of this significant market need that is currently underserved by the market, and we are thrilled that Cornwall Council, through the Good Growth Programme, has embraced such an innovative and forward-thinking model in the Beacon Fund.”
For full details on the Beacon Fund, click here.
