A Fundamental Success
This year ACF celebrates its third birthday and so to mark the occasion let’s take a look at the achievements of the fund since it was launched in 2003.
The Fund has received over 560 enquiries from creative businesses and from these we have received 209 business plans which have been assessed by the Investment Managers. To date, the Fund has already made 30 investments in 28 businesses and has invested £2.332 million, making it the largest Fund of its kind in the West Midlands. This number is also set to rise to over 50 investments by the end of 2008.
The Fund’s investments have covered the length and breadth of the creative industries, from film production and animation companies, orchestras to software companies, from television to new media businesses and to the less ‘traditional’ creative businesses such as Touchline Pro, a design company who have designed and produced a portable dug-out for sports fields.
The range of investments has also spanned the West Midlands, with businesses located in areas including, Birmingham, Coventry, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and the Black Country.
ACF has also contributed to strengthening the creative industries in West Midlands, creating 132 new jobs and safeguarding 145 jobs and investing in 11 start-ups and in 17 expanding businesses.
Essentially, ACF’s involvement has provided the financial and business support for many companies to take their business to the next level.
