Guinness Ventures is one of the largest and most-trusted managers of EIS qualifying investments, with over 3,000 investors and over £255m invested across the Guinness EIS and Guinness AIM EIS portfolios. Guinness Ventures forms part of Guinness Global Investors, the London-based specialist fund management company, established in 2003.
Puma Growth Partners led the Series A financing with backing from several returning investors and angels.
"We couldn't be happier to be partnering with Puma on this opportunity. We have the team, the tech, the market size and therefore the opportunity to build a $bn business helping brands launch and scale in the world's largest ecommerce market. We needed an investor who matched YASO's ambitions, and we have found that in Puma. We are also delighted with the other co-investors, including the Seed investors, both VCs and Angels, who have been there since day 1, who backed us again in this round. We can't wait to take YASO to the next level!"
Guinness Ventures led the Series B round alongside participants including Scottish Enterprise, Growthdeck, and Virgin Money.
"This investment accelerates our mission to delivergame improvement technology to 60 million golfers around the world. Throughout 2024 we plan to invest in infrastructure across the USA to support our retail and distribution partners. Golfers globally love our GPS, rangefinder and shot tracking technology, having sold products in 160 different countries worldwide in 2023. Golf has experienced a huge change in the past 5 years, people of all ages and demographics love the sport. With Shot Scope golfers can improve quickly and enjoy the game they love even more."
The funding round was led by 24Haymarket to support product development in the skills sector.
"The company has performed very strongly since we first invested in 2019 and we are delighted to be able to invest again at this juncture. Our view is that vocational training has a very important role to play in upskilling/ reskilling the workforce to bridge the UK’s skills gap. Aptem has established itself as a key player in this market; we look forward to watching the team grow the customer base and further develop Aptem’s functionality to deliver the next phase of growth!"
The follow-on investment will support international expansion and product development.
"We’re thrilled that Downing Ventures has decided to back us in our next chapter. The Downing team offers a lot more than just funding and their expertise in the sector will provide a value-add that will really accelerate our service. With this new funding, we’ll be able to lean into our goal of internationalising and developing our products and communities."
The capital will support team expansion and product development as demand for corporate ESG solutions grows.
"The last few years have been incredibly tough for local communities and businesses alike. For Neighbourly to have been able to grow a technology solution that’s enabled organisations to have a positive impact at a local level during this time signals a changing world in which being a successful business is being one that is a force for good."
