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2:30 PM 19th October 2020
business

Tech Sector Boosted As Private Equity Firm Launches In Leeds

 
Ricky DeLandro
Ricky DeLandro
A private equity firm is making Leeds its global headquarters and seeking to invest in advanced technology companies across the region and further afield.

Apater Capital has moved to the Gilbanks offices on One Park Row to support its expansion. The private equity firm specialises in funding start-up and early-stage businesses using advanced technology ranging from artificial intelligence (AI) to social commerce, data science to 3D Printing.

It is expanding its head office in Leeds and seeking to create 15 new jobs ranging from senior corporate finance roles to marketing and administration.

Roger Marsh OBE, DL, Chair of Leeds City Region Partnership (the LEP) and NP11 said: “It’s great to welcome Apater Capital’s new HQ to Leeds City Region, the UK’s Digital Heartland. This addition to our tech ecosystem further demonstrates that we retain the confidence of new investors. It also confirms our ambition to build a sustainable economic recovery based on our sector strengths and capabilities as the right course of action.”

Apater Capital is fundraising for its flagship £50m Industry Disrupting Innovation (IDI) Fund. The IDI fund targets the acquisition of meaningful interests in exciting technology companies with high levels of growth and potential for over 250% returns.

Commenting on the move Ricky DeLandro, senior managing partner at Apater Capital said: “Although we have offices opposite Google in Kings Cross London and a presence in Central Bristol, Yorkshire embodies the real can-do attitude that we look for in both our employees and the companies we invest in. We have moved our HQ to One Park Row, Leeds, to facilitate our continued expansion and are very proud of our new home. It immediately sets the right tone for our investors and target companies alike, so we gladly join the wide range of leading professional firms in the building, which ideally can support our growth.”

One Park Row is situated in the heart of the professional and financial district of Leeds City Centre. It provides fully managed private offices that were designed by award-winning interior design consultancy SpaceInvaders.

Alex Duckett, managing director of Gilbanks, said: “It is a real coup for us to attract Apater Capital to One Park Row. They are a hugely exciting and ambitious company who will be a great fit for our community of professional services and technology-led companies.”

Mr DeLandro concluded: “Our goal is to support the companies that will drive the fourth industrial revolution and in doing so, create jobs and wealth across the region. Leeds is central to our plans, and we are already attracting talented leaders to the business.”