Technis – globalising UK technology companies - 18/02/2010

In this fortnight's issue:

• New approach to globalising UK tech companies
• Slicethepie and Kerrang! Radio partnership first for UK
• UK mobile software start-up to power world's first augmented reality travel guides
• Intamac Systems closes £2m funding round
• ENTREPRENEUR - Polly Gowers, CEO of Everyclick

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Technis – globalising UK technology companies

Against the background of a weak economic recovery and an ongoing debate about the relative value of the service economy and declining manufacturing base of the UK economy, it is undeniable that a thriving technology sector is a key driver for success if the UK is to return to substantial growth.

And, as any citizen of Entrepreneur Country would no doubt agree, it is clear the UK has no shortage of start-ups that go on to be profitable technology companies. But for every Autonomy and Monitise there is, despite the best efforts of the entrepreneurs behind them, a host that, although profitable, remain small. They do not go on to become major global competitors, or do so only as part of a larger and better resourced parent rather than consolidating the market themselves.

Investors and entrepreneurs Bernard Hulme and Jack Kaye believe that a major reason for this is that financial and managerial support tailored to the particular conditions and opportunities that entrepreneurs encounter in the technology markets is in very short supply in this country. Some new thinking and approaches are required if we are to increase the number of companies that go on to make it big.

They are taking a very active approach - using PLUS-quoted Technis to fund a vehicle to deliver to the management teams of profitable and nearly profitable niche technology firms not just the working capital but management expertise, synergies and incentives that many lack but need to have in order that they may grow and increase their company’s value.

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Kerrang! Radio and Slicethepie join forces to promote the best new music

In a first for UK radio, Bauer Media’s Kerrang! Radio today announced a strategic partnership with global music filter and fan financing engine, Slicethepie.

From today, any artist or band seeking regional or national airplay on Kerrang Radio can upload their tracks on www.kerrangradio.co.uk, where Kerrang Radio listeners will get paid to review and rate the tracks from these undiscovered artists. Kerrang’s producers and presenters will then hand pick from the top rated artists, choosing which will get exposure across key specialist shows.

For radio this is a first, leveraging the power of the audience, through the web, to accurately identify the best new music for playlisting. The deal, originated and brokered by Slicethepie advisors Ariadne Capital, also underlines the radio station’s role as a digital pioneer and as a leading supporter of new music.

Commenting on the partnership, Alex Baker, presenter of Kerrang’s unsigned show, said: “We’re really excited to be working with Slicethepie, it’s a great tie up for us, Kerrang is all about the music that our listeners want to hear. Not only that, but we’ve been supporting unsigned music since we launched and this is an exciting expansion to one of our most credible shows.”

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Yuza Mobile to bring top travel guide books 'to life'

In another first for UK tech companies, mobile software start-up Yuza Mobile is partnering with upscale guidebook brand The Hedonist's Guide to deliver world's augmented reality guide books via the iPhone.

The Hedonist's Guide will use Yuza Mobile's SKAN Private Label service across its full range of 25 city guide books, enabling users to find the best a city has to offer with real time augmented reality directions and concise reviews on locations - a must for any one exploring a city.

As well as using augmented reality, the iPhone apps will contain music playlists drawing inspiration from artists and sounds with strong links to those cities. Jodie Harsh, Judge Jules, Carl Cox, Tiesto , Edward Sharp, Fedde Le Grand, Joey Negro and Erick Morillo are all contributing playlists. Users will also be able to create 'must-do' favourites lists and scribble notes.

Tremayne Carew Pole, CEO of The Hedonist's Guide, said: " Hg2 is extremely excited about being at the cutting-edge of technology and harnessing the power of the iPhone and augmented reality to bring our dynamic, city guide content to a global audience. We understand the need for immediacy and portability of content and our partnership with Yuza Mobile has allowed us to bring the most advanced mobile guides to market."

The apps will be available on a city-by-city basis, with a number of bundle deals for true globe trotters.

Intamac Systems attracts £2m investment from Seraphim and Chandos

UK-based Intamac Systems, a platform provider for next generation networked and connected home services, has closed a £2m funding round led by Seraphim Capital alongside Chandos Fund.

Intamac's web-based platform enables a broad range of new products and interactive services which allow consumers to remotely monitor and control their home environment.

Commenting on the deal, Kevin Meagher, founder and CEO of Intamac said: “This funding gives us an excellent basis to further grow our business, developing innovative and integrated solutions for home security, energy management, video, social care and remote control.”

As advisors to Intamac from 2003 to 2006, Ariadne Capital brought to the company £500k of investment from its network of private investors - successful serial entrepreneurs looking to invest in the next generation of high growth companies. Mark Blandford, founder of Sportingbet, Peter Wakeham, founder of WILINK and Nigel Burton, former CFO of Advanced Power were among the investors. Listed in the 2009 Deloitte Technology Fast 50 as one of the fastest growing tech companies in the UK, Intamac’s technology has already been deployed on three continents. In partnership with D-Link, one of the world’s leading CE product manufacturers, the two companies have developed a new range of IP based, low cost, self install products and services for telcos and utilities looking to deploy new offerings as part of their respective quad play and Smart Grid strategies.

James Bruegger, Investment Director at Seraphim Capital, said: “As broadband has become commoditised, telcos around the world are now desperate to find new products and services to try and shore up declining revenues and combat churn... We believe Intamac’s home monitoring and energy management products could be the killer apps that telcos have been looking for.”

ENTREPRENEUR - Polly Gowers, Everyclick

Polly Gowers is a self-confessed adrenalin junkie. She admits she owns a ‘busy’ desk and gets off on “having many plates spinning in the air”.

Her life so far has been a stream of one success after another and she is not scared to put all on the line for ideas that she is passionate about. After all, she remortgaged her house to start up Everyclick.com.

She was already a successful entrepreneur at the time, but found it hard to get backing for her philanthropic business brainwave.

For ten years her business involved competing at international equestrian events and selling horses, many of which ended up at the Olympics. “I got tired of selling my best friends and, even though it sounds odd, I decided to get a job as a salesperson,” explains Gowers.

A career in search marketing began. But it only took her nine months to realise the revenue from search engines could be put to better use. She then hit upon the idea for Everyclick. Launched in June 2005 with her friend, Julia Felton, the idea that sparked a search revolution was a simple one.

“I found it exciting that charities could benefit from something that we all do every day and with no one putting their hands in their pockets,” she says.

Read the interview here