Business Growth Fund

Optima Partners is a management consultancy specialising in marketing.

Research & Development Specialists specialise in working with businesses to help them identify & claim their Research & Development (R&D) tax credit / refund from HMRC.

Provider of training and consultancy services intended to serve the social care, health and education sectors. The company's self-serve software enables partners to understand local, regional and national trends or service issues on an actual and predictive basis and supports informed, proactive planning and delivery of vital services for vulnerable children, adults and families.

The company, which is based in InfoLab21 on the Lancaster University campus, will use the capital to expand its fleet of specialist vehicles and invest in research and development, creating a further 15 jobs for the region.

Desana Network Limited, founded in 2016 and based in Scotland, develops software that provides on-demand access to a global network of flexible workspaces. Originally known as Shoal Community Ltd, the company rebranded in January 2019 to better reflect its mission. As the nature of office space usage evolves, Desana addresses the inefficiencies of traditional office leases that often result in wasted resources. By offering a solution that enables companies to reduce reliance on inflexible office arrangements, Desana aims to enhance workforce efficiency and employee satisfaction, allowing individuals to work wherever and whenever they need.

AND Digital is a new way for digital delivery. With AND Digital there’s a certain buzz. It’s the buzz of brilliant, curious people set free to imagine the impossible. A hubbub of ‘what ifs?’, ‘why nots?’ and ‘let’s trys’ all working together to push boundaries and create the future of digital for some of the world’s leading brands. In a nutshell, we help our clients reach their digital aspirations. We do this in three ways; first we transform their digital delivery functions, second, we provide additional super-powered people into those teams and lastly, we upskill clients’ permanent team members with our one stop shop digital learning Academy. Simple. www.and.digital

AND Digital is a new way for digital delivery. With AND Digital there’s a certain buzz. It’s the buzz of brilliant, curious people set free to imagine the impossible. A hubbub of ‘what ifs?’, ‘why nots?’ and ‘let’s trys’ all working together to push boundaries and create the future of digital for some of the world’s leading brands. In a nutshell, we help our clients reach their digital aspirations. We do this in three ways; first we transform their digital delivery functions, second, we provide additional super-powered people into those teams and lastly, we upskill clients’ permanent team members with our one stop shop digital learning Academy. Simple. www.and.digital

BioCity Group is a business incubator that specializes in supporting the creation and development of life science companies, including those in the bioscience, pharmaceutical, med-tech, and healthcare sectors. Established in 2002 and based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, BioCity Group operates bioscience business centers, providing essential business support, laboratory facilities, and office spaces to emerging companies in these fields. As a subsidiary of BioCity Group Ltd, BioCity Nottingham Ltd plays a key role in fostering innovation and growth within the life sciences industry.

Paddle.com Market Limited offers a Revenue Delivery Platform tailored for Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies, facilitating growth in customer acquisition, renewals, and expansion. Founded in 2012 and based in London, the company provides a comprehensive solution that allows users to sell software while managing essential processes such as customer acquisition, free trial management, recurring billing, customer support, and compliance with international sales taxes. Paddle also functions as a reseller of software and digital content for developers, serving a diverse range of software and digital businesses, including those focused on desktop applications and subscription-based products. With a team of approximately 140 employees, Paddle supports over 2,000 software sellers across 245 countries and territories, positioning itself as a key player in the B2B SaaS market.

DevOpsGroup is a next-generation technology company. We empower Enterprise & Scale-up organisations to achieve more in the digital economy by modernising IT. Our experts simplify complex theory into practical advice and solutions, equipping your internal teams with modern technology, working-practices and knowledge enabling IT to exceed business expectations.

DevOpsGroup is a next-generation technology company. We empower Enterprise & Scale-up organisations to achieve more in the digital economy by modernising IT. Our experts simplify complex theory into practical advice and solutions, equipping your internal teams with modern technology, working-practices and knowledge enabling IT to exceed business expectations.

The company, which is based in InfoLab21 on the Lancaster University campus, will use the capital to expand its fleet of specialist vehicles and invest in research and development, creating a further 15 jobs for the region.

Paddle.com Market Limited offers a Revenue Delivery Platform tailored for Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies, facilitating growth in customer acquisition, renewals, and expansion. Founded in 2012 and based in London, the company provides a comprehensive solution that allows users to sell software while managing essential processes such as customer acquisition, free trial management, recurring billing, customer support, and compliance with international sales taxes. Paddle also functions as a reseller of software and digital content for developers, serving a diverse range of software and digital businesses, including those focused on desktop applications and subscription-based products. With a team of approximately 140 employees, Paddle supports over 2,000 software sellers across 245 countries and territories, positioning itself as a key player in the B2B SaaS market.

Direct Online Services Ltd began with a dream: to promote the beauty of solid wood products online, coupling the best in modern technology with sustainability, excellent quality, fast delivery and affordability.

Paddle.com Market Limited offers a Revenue Delivery Platform tailored for Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies, facilitating growth in customer acquisition, renewals, and expansion. Founded in 2012 and based in London, the company provides a comprehensive solution that allows users to sell software while managing essential processes such as customer acquisition, free trial management, recurring billing, customer support, and compliance with international sales taxes. Paddle also functions as a reseller of software and digital content for developers, serving a diverse range of software and digital businesses, including those focused on desktop applications and subscription-based products. With a team of approximately 140 employees, Paddle supports over 2,000 software sellers across 245 countries and territories, positioning itself as a key player in the B2B SaaS market.

BVG Group is a true multichannel retailer selling via online, B2B distribution, catalogues, off page, newspaper reader offers, marketplace and digital advertising. Each year the group distributes over 20 million catalogues and places over 3,700 pages in national newspapers and our online activities result in over 30 million visits to our websites a year.

BHR Group is an independent technology organisation providing engineering consultancy, industrial research and product development services based on its core expertise in fluids engineering. We apply our knowhow to develop or improve innovative designs, process and products for customers across many industrial sectors around the world.