British Business Bank’s VC Catalyst Fund invests in Nauta

Nauta celebrates $70 million first close of fund backing highly capital efficient Series-A Software propositions.

London, Barcelona – Nauta Capital has completed the first close of its 2015 fund at $70 million, resulting in total assets under management (AUM) of $260 million. The final close is expected during the first half of 2016 with a total fund target ranging from $115 to 175 million.

Nauta Capital, which has offices in London, Barcelona and Boston, is one of the most active early stage venture investors in Europe. It backs entrepreneurs committed to creating global capital efficient software companies in large markets with limited previous technology impact. Areas of interest include B2B software, disruptive digital media and enabling technologies for mobile and the internet.

Nauta has led investments in 30+ companies including Scytl, Brandwatch, Fizzback, GreatCall, Eyeview Digital, Basekit, Rifiniti, ForceManager, Marfeel, Getapp, Incrowd, Privalia and Social Point.

The first close of the 2015 fund includes leading institutions in the UK and Continental Europe, as well as a number of large European and Latin American family offices. The VC Catalyst Fund, managed by the British Business Bank has also committed to the fund.

Nauta plans to lead approximately 25 investments in the next five years out of its new fund.

Carles Ferrer, General Partner, Nauta Capital, said:

“Our passion is backing great entrepreneurs that share our desire to produce world-leading capital efficient B2B software companies and become global disruptors. We target businesses operating in large markets where technology has had limited impact to date but show strong prospects of rapid and material change.

These companies can grow substantially with the right backing and Nauta has a great track record in responsible investment at the right stage in a company’s life, avoiding conflicts between entrepreneurs, teams and investors. Our companies use our initial funding to grow very rapidly and will accelerate investment only when appropriate. This aligns interests across the board and maximises returns at all sizes of exits”

Ken Cooper, Managing Director, Venture Capital Solutions, British Business Bank added:

“The Nauta team has a proven track record in nurturing disruptive tech companies in the UK. The British Business Bank investment will allow them to grow their UK operations and back more of this country’s promising technology businesses.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

About Nauta

Nauta Capital is a Venture Capital firm investing in early stage technology companies. Main areas of interest include B2B Software propositions, disruptive Digital Media companies, and enabling technologies for Mobile and the Internet. Nauta has $260 million under management and invests in Western Europe and the USA. Nauta has presence in London (UK), Boston, MA (USA), and Barcelona (Spain).

www.nautacapital.com

About VC Catalyst Fund

The investment is provided through British Business Bank Investments Limited’s VC Catalyst Fund. The Fund unlocks private sector investments in commercially-viable venture capital funds focussed on growth companies.

About The British Business Bank

British Business Bank Investments Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Business Bank. The British Business Bank makes finance markets for smaller businesses work better, enabling the sector to prosper, grow and build economic activity.
Its objectives are to:

• increase the supply of finance available to smaller businesses where markets don’t work well
• create a more diverse and vibrant finance market for smaller businesses, with a greater choice of options and providers
• build confidence in the market by increasing smaller businesses’ understanding of the options available to them
• achieve this whilst managing taxpayer resources efficiently and within a robust risk management framework.

British Business Bank plc is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government which is not authorised or regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The British Business Bank operates through a number of subsidiaries, including British Business Bank Investment Ltd, which makes investments on a commercial basis. British Business Bank plc and its subsidiary entities are not banking institutions and do not operate as such. More information can be found at www.british-business-bank.co.uk

Disclaimer

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to make an investment (the “Investment”) in Nauta Tech Invest IV (the “Fund”). No such offer or solicitation will be made prior to the delivery of a prospectus, a subscription agreement and/or other materials relating to the Fund. Before making an investment decision with respect to the Investment, potential investors are advised to carefully read all the offering materials relating to interests in the Fund. Further, potential investors are advised to consult with their tax, legal and financial advisors before consummating an Investment.

THE INTERESTS IN THE FUND WILL BE OFFERED IN THE UNITED STATES ONLY TO A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF INVESTORS WHO MUST ALL BE ACCREDITED INVESTORS which for natural persons are investors who meet certain minimum annual income or net worth thresholds. The interests will be offered in the United States in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and, as a result, the Fund will not be required to comply with specific disclosure requirements that apply to funds registered under the Securities Act. The FCA and the SEC have not passed upon the merits of, or given their approval to, the interests in the Fund, the terms of the offering, or the accuracy or completeness of any offering materials. The interests issued will be subject to legal restrictions on transfer and resale and future investors may not be able to resell their interests in the Fund. Therefore, all investors in the Fund must be able to bear the loss of their investment.