- All Winners, Runners Up and Ones to Watch have been announced in the fifth annual Growth Investor Awards
- All companies were announced yesterday in a black-tie ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London
- Comedian Jen Brister hosted the evening, with keynote speeches from Dr Kamel Hothi OBE and George Freeman MP
The winners, runners-up and ones to watch have been revealed in the fifth annual Growth Investor Awards at a black-tie ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.
After a rigorous, two-stage judging process whittled down 114 entries into 73 finalists and just 19 prestigious awards, the industry gathered to learn which teams and people had scooped the top prizes.
For five years, these awards have shone a spotlight on a community that has an impact beyond investment: creating jobs, boosting economic growth, and supporting innovation. With the growth capital and support that it provides, ambitious businesses are able to scale up and make the UK one of the most dynamic places in the world in which to start a business.
The 51 investment provider finalists celebrated this year have participated in over 3,300 fundraising rounds, investing £5.67 billion into growing businesses. This year, the growth investment they provide has helped almost 2,300 SMEs to create 1,600 jobs and turn over more than £200 million. And 45% of those SMEs are based outside of London, with three-quarters of them already expanding overseas.
And the SMEs themselves – the Growth Champion finalists in these awards – demonstrate how investment can be put to excellent use. Over the last five years, these Awards have showcased businesses based all around the UK, with 59% of them already expanding overseas, having created over 11,000 jobs. And this year alone these companies will turn over £808 million.
Meet 2019’s Winners, Runners Up and Ones to Watch:
Industry Champion
Emma Jones MBE – Enterprise Nation
Exit of the Year | Sponsored by RW Blears
Winner: Parkwalk
Runner up: Mercia Asset Management
One to watch: Jenson Funding Partners
Most Impactful Investment | Sponsored by Bates Wells
Winner: Puma Private Equity
Runner up: Amberside Capital
One to watch: Vala Capital
Industry Game Changer | Sponsored by MICAP
Winner: SeedLegals
Runner up: GrowthInvest
One to watch: Grant Thornton
Best Investment Platform – Funds | Sponsored by Adempi Associates
Winner: Wealth Club
Runner up: Kuber
One to watch: GrowthInvest
Best Investment Platform – Companies | Sponsored by Adempi Associates
Winner: 24Haymarket
Runner up: Seedrs
One to watch: Crowdcube
Financial Adviser of the Year
Winner: Adrian Murphy (Murphy Wealth)
Runner up: Jonothan McColgan (Combined Financial Strategies)
One to watch: David Stamp (Independent Financial Solutions
Wealth Manager of the Year | Sponsored by Kin Capital
Winner: Ascot Wealth Management
Runner up: Amicus Wealth
One to watch: Tavistock Wealth
Best SEIS Investment Manager | Sponsored by Aston Lark
Winner: Deepbridge Capital
Runner up: Startup Funding Club
One to watch: RLC Ventures
Best AIM Portfolio Service | Sponsored by Crowe U.K. LLP
Winner: Guinness Asset Management
Runner up: Thorntons Investments
One to watch: Progeny Asset Management
Best BR Investment Manager – Listed | Sponsored by Exact Libris
Winner: TIME Investments
Runner up: Puma Investments
One to watch: Blankstone Sington
Best BR Investment Manager – UnListed | Sponsored by Exact Libris
Winner: Triple Point
Runner up: Foresight Group
One to watch: Puma Investments
Best EIS Investment Manager | Sponsored by Mainspring Fund Services
Winner: MMC Ventures
Runner up: Parkwalk
One to watch: Deepbridge Capital
Best VCT Investment Manager
Winner: Octopus Investments
Runner up: Albion Capital
One to watch: Maven
Mindful Investor of the Year
Winner: Connect Ventures
Team of the Year
Winner: Octopus Investments
Runner up: TIME Investments
One to watch: Forward Partners
Industry Rising Star
Winner: EMV Capital
Runner up: Vala Capital
One to watch: Exo Investing
Growth Champion of the Year
Winner: Gousto
Runner up: Airsorted
One to watch: Privitar
Growth Investor of the Year | Sponsored by Beahurst
Winner: Parkwalk
Runner up: Beringea
One to watch: Augmentum
“We launched the Growth Investor Awards five years ago to celebrate the inspiring individuals and leading organisations whose talents and commitment help growing businesses to power Britain’s economic growth,” says Guy Tolhurst, Managing Director of Intelligent Partnership, the organiser of these long-standing awards.
He adds: “Since then these awards have become a landmark event in the growth investment industry, celebrating the vibrant ecosystem around the entrepreneurial teams that drive innovation all around the UK. It’s so important to continue showcasing growth investment. Because supporting early-stage businesses has a real-world effect. It inspires optimism in growing teams, creates jobs, boosts regional economies, and drives innovation.”