{"id":49018,"date":"2014-10-21T10:45:02","date_gmt":"2014-10-21T10:45:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=822cc08a79aa2eda190f9e64412e089c"},"modified":"2014-10-21T10:45:02","modified_gmt":"2014-10-21T10:45:02","slug":"news-story-growthshowcase-connects-investors-and-businesses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=49018","title":{"rendered":"News story: GrowthShowcase connects investors and businesses"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A new online service launched today will connect government-supported innovative businesses with potential investors.<\/p>\n

GrowthShowcase<\/a> features small and medium sized businesses (SME<\/abbr>) supported by Innovate UK and GrowthAccelerator that are looking for further investment. Around 45 SMEs feature on the site, with more to follow.<\/p>\n

Small businesses play a crucial role in the UK economy. Through GrowthShowcase SMEs can reach the investment community and boost their growth potential.<\/p>\n

One such business is Oxford Space Systems<\/a>. Oxford Space Systems won funding from Innovate UK through a Launchpad competition. Mike Lawton, founder and CEO, said:<\/p>\n

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We\u2019re featured on GrowthShowcase to raise our profile in the investment community. We hope to connect with potential collaborators and customers.<\/p>\n

With previous support from Innovate UK, Oxford Space Systems secured venture capital seed funding. This has resulted in a whirlwind first year which saw us win product developments contracts in the UK and overseas.<\/p>\n

I hope GrowthShowcase will lead to interest from potential investors for our next investment. We want to seize exciting opportunities for our innovative technology.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

High-profile investors and partners<\/h3>\n

Another company featured on GrowthShowcase is Whisk.com<\/a>. Whisk.com was first pitched to Lord Sugar on the BBC\u2019s \u2018The Apprentice\u2019 TV programme a couple of years ago, by founder and CEO Nick Holzherr. <\/p>\n

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\"Founder<\/div>
Founder and CEO of Whisk.com, Nick Holzherr, whose idea was pitched to Lord Sugar on the BBC’s ‘The Apprentice’<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Whisk.com won an Innovate UK Smart<\/a> award to develop their digital tech further. Whisk also received coaching to develop its sales force capability. <\/p>\n

Whisk.com has already raised over $2 million from investors. The company now wants to use GrowthShowcase to raise further finance to boost its growth. Nick said:<\/p>\n

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GrowthShowcase is well designed and simple to use, yet comprehensive in functionality.<\/p>\n

Innovate UK works with high-profile investors and partners. So it will be valuable to us to be part of GrowthShowcase.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Innovate UK launched GrowthShowcase in partnership with GrowthAccelerator with the aim of bringing together:<\/p>\n