
BGF launches dedicated £200m venture fund
The Business Growth Fund (BGF) has launched a new, dedicated venture fund with an investment capacity of £200m.
BGF dedicated £200m for the new vehicle, which will start operating in Q4 this year. It will focus on early-stage venture deals, especially in the tech sector, although no further details have emerged at this stage.
The new fund will initially be managed by a three-strong team comprising Rory Stirling, Harry Briggs and Simon Calver. Stirling joins from MMC Ventures, where he had been a partner since 2009. Briggs was previously with venture firm Balderton Capital, where he spent six years as a principal – he is also an entrepreneur, having co-founded health drinks business Firefly Tonics.
Calver has more of a corporate background, having notably led Lovefilm as chief executive for seven years. He has since been chief executive at Mothercare plc. His previous employers include Unilever, PepsiCo and Dell.
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