Launched by a partnership of University of Plymouth, Plymouth City Council and Tamar Science Park, the Peninsula Growth Acceleration and Investment Network (GAIN) brings together the hard and soft infrastructure required to underpin a healthy business ecosystem throughout the Peninsula. Connecting people, ideas and money it catalyses action to create more businesses that are successful.

A radical new model, GAIN brings together a partnership of organisations and individuals throughout the peninsula to create critical mass in a dispersed economy, working to realise a step change in ambition and performance and eventually turning the peninsula itself into an incubator of new businesses.

A core objective of GAIN is to increase deal-flow and investment in the peninsula by making it much easier for investors to find good opportunities. We do this by bringing together opportunities in one highly visible place and working with businesses to address any issues reducing their attractiveness to investment.

The success of the Plymouth in attracting the America’s Cup to the City in September 2011 gives us an opportunity to bring a number of large and /or specialist venture capital firms to the Peninsula to expose them to some quality investment proposals. We will seek to dispel the perception that the Peninsula is primarily a holiday destination by showing serious investors a range of impressively innovative businesses and the vibrancy of the business community.

We are now seeking up to ten innovative businesses that need or are considering equity investments of around £1m in the next six-twelve months. Preferred sectors include marine, medical, renewable, e-commerce, digital/ICT, advanced technology/manufacturing or engineering, although we will consider related sectors. Generally, these firms will be seeking expansion capital although in renewables our investors will consider earlier stage investments including pre-revenue. We are seeking candidates throughout all of our networks in the Peninsula.

The process is as follows:

  • Notify me at gavin.wonnacott@plymouth.ac.uk of any firms that meet our guidelines and may be interested in investment by 29th June 2011
  • We will discuss with you the potential for your candidates
  • A panel consisting of TSP, UoP, PCC and private equity investors will short-list candidates by 15th July
  • Our investor panel will work with candidates to prepare them for the presentation day
  • Presentation to investors on 16 September in Plymouth

Dr Gavin Wonnacott, GAIN Director, 07855849913