Launch of IQ Capital Partners

Cambridge based fund managers and venture capital investors Nigel Brown, Ed Stacey, Max Bautin and Kerry Baldwin, have created IQ Capital Partners as one of the UK’s premier venture capital managers to deliver their distinctive approach to investing in successful emergent and rapidly developing UK companies.
IQCP is an independent and integrated early stage technology venture capital business, which manages the recently established IQ Capital Fund I, as well as two seed funds with total funds under management of £35 million.
IQCP completed an MBO of NW Brown Group’s early stage investing activities, including the GEIF, one of the UK’s premier business angel networks. The new company will be distinguished by its unique relationships with “IQ Angels”, private investors with strong industry expertise, who can dedicate significant time, investment and expertise in support investments alongside IQCP.
The IQCP team will continue to provide funding from £0.1 million upwards – predominantly to early stage technology businesses – with the capacity to make available up to £3 million per investee. The current portfolio includes Shortfuze, Spikes Cavell, OnRelay and 25 seed investments
The GEIF investor forum, in its 11th year, is one of the UK’s largest Business Angel Network and provides a vibrant opportunity to UK seed companies and investors.
Commenting on the launch, Nigel Brown, Chairman of IQCP said: “Helping early stage companies have been the main focus of my work for more than a decade and I am delighted to be able to continue this with the IQ Capital team. We have been working together for several years and have many venture capital successes behind us. I have made the decision to step back and take a more active role in this new business, which I feel has the perfect blend of experience, energy and opportunity. I am looking forward to building a VC business which can really service nascent technology businesses whilst delivering excellent returns to investors.”
Max Bautin, a founder partner of IQCP, revealed: “It has been an excellent opportunity for Ed, Kerry, Nigel and I to bring all our expertise together to create a successful venture capital house with a distinct focus and investment philosophy. Between us we share experience of helping well over 50 technology companies grow through early and later stages of their development. A key element in this is investing and working alongside ‘IQ Angels’, who we know from experience make a huge difference in helping the investments by utilising their sector specific experience and contacts. The team members have been making and delivering strong returns since 1998 and we are determined to help more UK start ups develop into successful global leaders and demonstrate the high potential of European early stage technology investing.”
IQCP is a member of the BVCA and is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority