Leading private-equity firm joins the sponsors

May 7 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

IN the run-up to the final of the inaugural North East deal awards, one of the region’s leading private equity companies has joined the impressive list of sponsors.

NorthStar Equity Investors has stepped in to sponsor the Small/Mid-Size Deal of the Year for the awards, whose winners will be announced at a black-tie dinner next month.

Launched by The Journal and our sponsors earlier this year, the awards are designed to recognise the importance to the regional economy of business deals and the people who create them.

NorthStar Equity is a Newcastle- based fund management company that specialises in early-stage high- growth technology-based opportunities.

It manages two funds focused on SMEs in the region on behalf of One NorthEast and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF):

The £10m Proof of Concept Fund, targeted at the pre-seed stage of investment, supporting entrepreneurs with up to £90,000.

The £23m Co-Investment Fund, a venture capital fund investing in early- stage high-growth companies with equity funding of up to £1.5m.

To date this fund has backed 27 SMEs in the region and helped raise nearly £20m additional private sector funding.

A spokesman said: “Our investment team offers a unique combination of science, technology, commercial and venture capital skills and works closely with entrepreneurs at every stage of their company’s development to realise their full potential.

“NorthStar Equity is delighted to be sponsoring Small/Mid-Size Deal of the Year as we are passionate about promoting early-stage, entrepreneurial deals in the North East.”

The award categories are: Acquisition of the Year, Sale of the Year, MBO/MBI of the Year, Small/Mid-Size Company Deal of the Year, Emerging Dealmaker of the Year, Dealmaker of the Year and Deal of the Year.

The winners of these awards will be pitted against each other for the overall Deal of the Year prize.

The title sponsor for the awards is Watson Burton LLP and individual categories are sponsored by UBS Wealth Management, unw Chartered Accountants, Durham Business School and Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets.

The inaugural Journal Deal Awards will be announced at a black-tie dinner on Thursday, June 26, at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead.

To secure your place at the awards, contact Kirsty Tarn kirsty.tarn@ncjmedia.co.uk or by post to Kirsty Tarn, events manager, regional events and exhibitions, ncjMedia Ltd, Groat Market, Newcastle, NE1 1ED.

For further inquiries contact Kirsty Tarn on (0191) 201-6072.