Healthtech programme helps generate £5m of private equity deals
A programme aimed at stimulating investment in healthcare technologies in Yorkshire has helped generate more than £5m of private equity deals.
The Investing in Health programme, managed by Grant Thornton, is marking the end of a successful two years of supporting healthcare technology companies in the region to become investment ready.
The programme has engaged over 100 companies since it was launched in February 2009 and nearly 70 individuals have been supported through skills development including mentoring, peer learning and presentation techniques.
And crucially, helping to stimulate investment in Yorkshire companies, has helped create and safeguard jobs in the region.
Lisa Ward, manager of the Investing in Health programme at Grant Thornton, expects the statistics to improve over the next few months. She said: “The effects of the recession has resulted in many private equity providers focusing on value creation and preservation of existing portfolio companies, with very few new investments made over the last 18 months, however we are hopeful that we will see an increase in activity in 2011. This is exemplified by the number of our programme companies who are due to close an investment round later this year.
Lisa continued: “We hope that the programme will leave a lasting legacy for the region through its established investor and peer network. Healthcare technology companies face another challenging couple of years ahead and so having a strong network of contacts and support will be crucial to the growth of the sector in the region.”
The Investing in Health programme formed part of Yorkshire Forward’s strategy to support the development of the healthcare technologies industry in the region.
