Venture capital award ceremony at London Hilton provides welcome relief from finance doom and gloom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) November 10, 2008 -- The Investor AllStars Venture Capital Awards held at the Hilton, Park Lane on Wednesday, 24th of September, provided a much needed reason to celebrate given the current economic climate. Hosted by BBC news presenter Emily Maitlis, the evening saw the biggest players in the VC industry come together to honour this year’s top achievers. For more information call 0845 3700 303 or visit www.orchardgrowth.com

Co sponsored by Orchard Growth Partners, the Awards recognise Europe’s leading investors and risk takers. Labeled the “Oscars” of the European venture capital community, each year more than 600 investment professionals from across Europe attend the awards ceremony. The standard of entries for each award was of the highest quality and the competition was fierce.

Ash Mehta, Chief Executive of Orchard Growth Partners was delighted to present the ‘Equity Gap Fund’ of the year to ‘Hightech Gerunderfonds’. The judges were looking for exceptional ability to source and manage unique deal flows, special skill in structuring, negotiating and making investments, involvement in supporting local small business initiatives and the ability to work together with other seed funds, private investors and follow-on investors.

It was a successful, upbeat evening and the prevailing mood amongst investors continues to be one of optimism and confidence. The keynote speaker Denis Payre, Co founder, President and CEO for Kiala NV and Co Founder of Business Objectives and Croissance Plus, spoke about the ongoing need for capital in a growth business and encouraged entrepreneurs to not get too hung up about their equity stake but to focus on continuing to grow their businesses.

Commenting on the event Ash Mehta, Chief Executive of Orchard Growth Partners noted;
“Clearly there is still money to be invested and great potential for entrepreneurs to access venture capital funding but companies need to articulate a clear and compelling investor proposition with sound strategy and financials that will appeal to investors. Also, at a time of economic downturn entrepreneurs need to ensure more than ever that they keep their eye on the ball and are not distracted by the venture capital fundraising process more than they need to be”.

About Orchard Growth partners

Orchard Growth Partners provides companies across the UK with financial director services, whenever and wherever growing businesses need it. Orchard Growth specialises in providing interim and part time FDs for growth businesses, providing top level financial expertise without the usual costs and complications of employing a full time finance director. Orchard Growth’s finance directors have both financial and commercial acumen, and are experts in strategic business planning and business growth consulting.

Orchard Growth Partners also provides extensive help to growing businesses that are seeking venture capital funding, or other types of small business fund raising.

equity gap fund     European venture capital     part time fds     part time finance director     VC industry