Teesside University´s Launchpad working with Rivers Capital

May 17th 2016

Regional Fund Managers Rivers Capital Partners have re-located their Tees Valley-based operations. The move to the Victoria Building at Teesside University will better support the hub of ambitious start-ups and established SMEs based in and around the campus.

The driving force behind Teesside-based, high-impact start-up ventures, the Launchpad programme at Teesside University has created an entrepreneurial space that will fly the flag of enterprise and innovation.

Already a thriving ecosystem, Launchpad has created a space where people with big ideas and the drive to create a new business can meet, share and collaborate with like-minded start-up founders. Part of Launchpads offering allows businesses to connect with investors to access funding to grow their business. Rivers will be working closely with Launchpad to engage with more Teesside-based entrepreneurs to support their growth aspirations.

Hosting one-to-one Venture Investment sessions from the co-working space in the Victoria Building, the Rivers investment team will be on hand to discuss any matters relating to accessing funding for your business. If youre a growing enterprise looking for finance, alternative lending is now mainstream for SMEs.

Managers of the North East Angel Fund and the North East Microloan Fund, part of the Finance for Business North East programme, Rivers know what investors and lenders look for in a business. Their experiences as entrepreneurs mean they do things differently. Like you, they are interested in your success.

Jonathan Gold, Managing Director at Rivers said, "We are delighted to Teesside University, a natural fit for Rivers, with so many companies from our portfolio already working from this space.

"This university is a hotspot for entrepreneurship and enterprise. The team and I are looking forward to working alongside Launchpad to support the growth and innovation of more Teesside-based businesses."

Steve Dougan, Head of Graduate Enterprise at Teesside University said, "Teesside Launchpad exists to create the space and conditions within which innovation can thrive and investment is a key component of that strategy.

"Jonathan and his team at Rivers will add huge value to what is fast becoming a vibrant entrepreneurial community located in the heart of a confident and ambitious University with big plans for the future."