The Virtual Technology Cluster Group has partnered with blockchain-based investment marketplace technology Funderbeam to help high-growth SMEs raise capital.
VTC, which is paid by sponsors to run centres which help multinationals attract emerging and disruptive innovators, will also raise its own capital on the Estonia-based platform as it seeks to open further specialist clusters.
The first two of these are the Leidos VTC 鈥� which has a cyber security focus and is sponsored by Unilever, Dell EMC and PA Consulting 鈥� and the Deloitte Healthcare Virtual Technology Cluster.
Members ranging from university projects through to start-ups, SMEs and public companies have access to 鈥渟cale-up support and commercial mentoring鈥� and do not have to pay membership fees, while no money is taken from the smaller firm鈥檚 bottom line.
The first step in a long-term partnership with Funderbeam now gives members the opportunity to raise investment from a growing global investor base 鈥� a 鈥渂orderless liquid marketplace鈥�.
鈥淥ur new model is going to allow us to create real value 鈥� for growth companies, for blue chips, for UK PLC, for our investors, and for us,鈥� said VTC Group CEO Auriol Stevens.
鈥淏y connecting small companies with corporate opportunities, we have a unique insight into their businesses and we are going to use this to stimulate growth.
鈥淲e are very excited to be raising capital on Funderbeam鈥檚 innovative platform 鈥� a perfect demonstration of how technology is changing every aspect of business.
鈥淲ith the growing adoption of our cluster methodology and new governmental contracts, 2017 will be a very busy year.鈥�
London-based VTC has also agreed a pilot scheme with a global pharmaceutical company to find innovative technology-enabled solutions to fast-track innovation from its supply chain.