Colman Equity gives green light to Northern Ireland's first Seed EIS Fund

Inviting investors to join the fund, they have also confirmed that it will become the main funder behind NI’s only private equity backed start-up accelerator programme, StartPlanetNI. It will also look to fund other NI based high growth startups and companies that wish to relocate back to NI.

The SEIS/EIS investment vehicle is particularly suited to knowledge economy companies and will allow already successful entrepreneurs and investors to invest in startups in a tax efficient manner.

‘We are delighted to bring forward this new fund targeting early stage but high growth potential startups,” said Diane Roberts.

“We are now inviting interested investors who have themselves strong entrepreneurial experience to join with us to support the new startup revolution that is happening in Belfast.

“We are firmly of the belief that the best investors for early stage companies are other entrepreneurs – who not only bring investment, but critical understanding and experience of what it means to build a business.

“In our experience, this type of ‘smart investment’ can be the difference between succeeding and failing and is a critical ingredient to building a successful startup scene in Northern Ireland.”

Damien Callaghan Senior Director, Business Development Intel Corporation added: “From my time as an investor with Intel Capital I have watched Belfast and Northern Ireland develop a vibrant entrepreneurial environment with the potential to become a leading tech start-up hub within Europe.

“Whilst I have always been impressed by the local entrepreneurs I believe that the relative lack of startup funding is hampering the region from reaching its full potential. However, this funding gap is a real opportunity for the investor community both locally and internationally and I believe that Colman Equity’s SEIS Fund will become a key contributor in the local ecosystem, helping exciting new startups to succeed on the world stage.”