AngelBourse Private Equity and ibd join forces
to make SMEs’ lives a little easier

July 2004
- minor update January 2006

AngelBourse Private Equity, the innovative fund raising service for SMEs, has appointed ibd, the UK’s fastest growing network of small business advisors, as an Approved Intermediary. ibd’s team of experienced business managers can now offer their SME clients access to funding from one of the largest investor pools in Europe and AngelBourse Private Equity can offer prospective and current clients the very best available business advice to develop their companies.

This is good news for small business owners, for whom raising capital has always been one of the most challenging aspects of growing a business.

AngelBourse Private Equity is helping to make their lives a little easier by bridging the “equity gap”; linking experienced, risk-aware investors with ambitious, early stage businesses seeking funding in the region of £100k-£2m. Over 1,500 sophisticated and high net worth investors are registered with AngelBourse Private Equity specifically to receive investment opportunities, and the company has access to 20% of UK millionaires.

ibd already offer SMEs full service support, ranging from preparing a business plan, to breaking into new markets and complying with the latest legislation. ibd business advisers are available to assist companies in all aspects of improving and developing their business. Their Approved Intermediary status will enable them to enhance this service and share in the success of their clients. Terry Forrester, Managing Director of ibd Ltd states, “We are delighted to expand the services we offer to our present and future clients by becoming an Associated Intermediary of AngelBourse Private Equity. Our association with AngelBourse Private Equity will appeal to a large number of our current and prospective clients who are not aware of the excellent service provided by AngelBourse Private Equity. This association gives the SME an opportunity to look at alternative ways of funding expansion with a company that really understands the needs of small and medium sized companies. ibd will continue to offer the very best in business advice at affordable prices to our current and prospective clients but can now offer an enhanced service with a professional and highly respected associate. Anyone wishing to contact ibd should initially speak to Richard Olsen, Project Manager for AngelBourse Private Equity. Richard can be contacted on 01780 754017 or Richard.olsen@ibd-uk.com”

As ibd’s client companies grow they can also benefit from the AngelBourse Private Equity market, a regulated trading facility and investor relations service, fused into one low-cost package. This service is the perfect first step for a company considering a listing on the senior markets in one to five years’ time.

SMEs quoting their company on AngelBourse Private Equity receive most of the advantages associated with a listing on OFEX, AIM or the LSE, such as valuing and trading shares, developing investor relations, and providing an exit strategy for investors and directors, but at a fraction of the cost.

Currently only 0.3% of UK businesses are listed on an exchange, and SMEs in particular tend to be put off by the associated regulatory burden and prohibitive costs involved (upwards of £250,000 for a listing on OFEX or AIM).

- ENDS -

NOTES:

Regulated by the FSA, AngelBourse Private Equity provides an online platform where investors can view and research companies, participate in direct equity investments or buy and sell shares on the AngelBourse Private Equity Trading Facility of unquoted companies. JP Jenkins Limited (JPJL) run the trading platform, a firm which specialises in trading in unlisted and unquoted securities, and is a member of both the London Stock Exchange and OFEX.

For more information on AngelBourse,contact Guy Saxton on 020 7382 4382
or email: info@angelbourse.com
or visit the AngelBourse web site at:www.angelbourse.co.uk

ibd has been established to provide a powerful and innovative full-service support organisation for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). We are focused on the highest standards of quality, customer service and, above all, continuous support for our members and clients.

For more information on ibd, contact Richard Olsen on 01780 754 017
or email: richard.olsen@ibd-uk.com
or visit the ibd web site at: www.ibd-uk.com