Sponsors

Berenberg Bank

PREMIUM SPONSOR: Berenberg Bank

Berenberg is the world's second oldest bank, founded in 1590. Headquartered in Hamburg, we have been servicing clients for over 420 years. We have a unique ownership structure, being family and privately owned and led by three managing partners who have unlimited liability which extends for a further five years after their retirement. Such a structure allows for long-term, entrepreneurial thinking aligned to our clients.

Today, Berenberg is a modern and full service private, investment and corporate bank with an integrated approach to private and institutional clients. Berenberg is regarded a quality leader in Germany and was awarded the Best Private Bank in Germany by World Finance in 2011.

We are financially strong with a core capital ratio of 15.1% and assets under management of some €26bn. Our 1,000 employees operate in 18 locations across 8 countries; Germany, France, the UK, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Austria, China and the US.

Kemp Little LLP

GOLD SPONSOR: Kemp Little

Kemp Little is a leading law firm specialising in technology and digital media.  We are ranked in the top tier for IT by the leading legal directories and praised for our high client service and commercial awareness.  Our knowledge and specialist expertise goes deeper than most other firms and this sets us apart.  We work with dynamic and innovative businesses which value us for our pragmatic, responsive and cost-effective advice.   

We work with companies in the Sunday Times Tech Track 100, FTSE 100 plus fast-growing innovative businesses maximising the benefits of technology.  We have an enviable client list to rival those of the largest UK law firms. From global technology giants, such as Thomson Reuters, Google and Microsoft to fast-growing businesses including Spotify and Fortune Cookie, our clients value the way we work with them as much as our expertise.

We also help many organisations that increasing rely on technology to deliver their services or produce their products such as those within the professional services, financial services, retail, travel and healthcare sectors. Our understanding of and experience in these sectors coupled with our technology focus makes us the first port of call for many leading players in these areas.

Acton Capital Partners

GOLD SPONSOR: Acton Capital Partners

Acton Capital Partners is an independent, owner-managed venture capital firm with a clear sector and stage focus: specializing in consumer-facing businesses enabled by Internet and mobile technology, Acton targets late and growth stage companies. The Germany-based venture capital firm invests globally, with a firm focus on Europe. Having managed more than 40 investments since 1999 - e.g. AbeBooks, Glasses Direct, HolidayCheck and zooplus, the Acton team brings a wealth of expertise to the companies which it backs.

For more information visit the Acton Capital Partners website.

TA Associates

GOLD SPONSOR: TA Associates

Founded in 1968, TA Associates is one of the largest and most experienced global middle-market growth private equity firms. The firm has invested in more than 425 companies around the world and has raised $18 billion in capital. With offices in Boston, Menlo Park, London, Mumbai and Hong Kong, TA Associates leads buyouts and minority recapitalizations of profitable growth companies in the technology, financial services, business services, healthcare and consumer industries. More information about TA Associates can be found at www.ta.com.

SEP

AWARD SPONSOR: Scottish Equity Partners

SEP is a leading UK venture capital company focused on investment for innovation and growth. SEP invests throughout the UK and Ireland in the technology and media sectors, typically taking significant minority stakes in companies at or close to profitability  and exhibiting strong revenue growth. The current SEP portfolio comprises over 30 high growth companies including Skyscanner, Matches, Media Ingenuity and WAYN. SEP has invested in over 150 companies, resulting in numerous high value exits and establishing a number of global technology leaders.

London Stock Exchange

AWARD SPONSOR: London Stock Exchange

London Stock Exchange Group is Europe's leading diversified exchange business, incorporating Borsa Italiana and the London Stock Exchange. With over 500 member firms trading and more than 3,000 companies quoted across its markets, the Group operates the largest and most liquid equity marketplace in Europe.

The London Stock Exchange itself is the world's most international exchange with more than 600 overseas companies from over 70 countries. These figures include international companies quoted on the AIM, the London Stock Exchange's growth market, and the world's most successful market for small and medium sized enterprises with over 1,200 companies.

VIVENDI

AWARD SPONSOR: VIVENDI

Vivendi is at the hearts of the worlds of content, platforms and networks. Vivendi combines the world leader in video games (Activision Blizzard), the world leader in music (Universal Music Group), the French leader in alternative telecoms (SFR), the Moroccan leader in telecoms (Maroc Telecom), the leading alternative broadband operator in Brazil (GVT) and the French leader in pay-TV (Canal+ Group). In 2012, Vivendi achieved revenues of €29 billion and adjusted net income of €2.55 billion. The Group has over 58,000 employees. www.vivendi.com

Northzone

PATRON SPONSOR: Northzone

Northzone is a technology investment partnership. With four offices and nine investment professionals across the Nordics and most recently the UK, Northzone’s focus is on disruptive companies in attractive markets. Since its inception in 1996, Northzone has invested in some 75 companies, injecting some 200 years of collective operational and investment experience into businesses that truly make a difference. Notable investments include Lastminute.com, Pricerunner, Spotify, Nextgentel, Funcom, Stepstone, Nimsoft, EPiServer, Avito and Mamut.

CREANDUM

PATRON SPONSOR: CREANDUM

Creandum is the leading Nordic venture capital firm investing in innovative and fast-growing technology companies within the consumer internet, software, and hardware sectors. The firm has over €250M under management and has invested in over 20 companies including being first institutional investor in companies such as Spotify, Wrapp, Cint, Edgeware, iZettle, Videoplaza, and 13th Lab.

EDBI

PATRON SPONSOR: EDBI

EDBI is a leading strategic investment firm headquartered in Singapore with a worldwide presence investing to drive growth opportunities within the knowledge and innovation-intensive sectors of Internet & Digital Media, Biomedical Sciences, Clean Technologies, as well as key industries in Singapore. As a value adding investor, EDBI creates sustainable and synergistic partnerships with its portfolio companies, leveraging on its extensive networks and experience to facilitate the companies’ growth in Asia and the world, through their operations in Singapore.
http://www.edbi.com.

OLSWANG

PATRON SPONSOR: OLSWANG

Olswang is an International law firm and leader in the technology and digital media sectors. With a reputation for changing the face of business, we differentiate ourselves through delivering insight, innovation and influence to help our clients grow in the TMT sectors.
Established over 30 years ago, our firm has significantly grown to over 700 people, including more than 100 partners, across Asia-Pacific, Continental Europe and the UK. Our growth and enviable client list has resulted in Olswang becoming the law firm of choice for leading entrepreneurs and innovators.  Olswang's distinct passion for technology and digital media has cemented Olswang's commanding reputation in these sectors.
Olswang's leading and award winningTMT lawyers are among the brightest and most commercially minded the profession has to offer, evidenced by the close, trusted relationships they inspire.
www.olswang.com
We deliver insight, innovation and influence to help our clients grow

Ballou PR

PR SPONSOR: BALLOU PR

Founded in 2001, Ballou PR is a European public relations agency that works with high-growth technology companies.  With offices in London, Paris and Berlin, Ballou PR provides strategic business-to-business and business-to-consumer public relations services that enable clients to reach influencers, customers and even competitors, to generate word-of-mouth buzz that drives sales and increases valuations. Please visit www.balloupr.com for more information.