UK Based Equity Crowdfunding Site FundTheGap has been Acquired by Small Cap Equity Financing Business Darwin Strategic Limited
In an increasingly competitive space, equity crowdfunding site FundTheGap announced that Darwin Strategic Limited had acquired their company. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed. Darwin Strategic is a company controlled by Henderson Volantis Capital who lists $1.5 Billion under management. Darwin seeks to invest in growth companies with value and solid fundamentals. FundTheGap was only founded in 2012 with their crowdfunding platform launching earlier this year.
Co-founder and CEO of Darwin Anand Sambasivan said: “FundTheGap has clear stated objectives, an outstanding platform and a high calibre management team. It stands out from the competition. We share the view that providing alternative funding options to the growth companies is crucial to the sustained growth of the global economy in the future. We think this is an exciting space in which to operate and in bringing FundTheGap into Darwin we intend to continue to contribute to it for years to come.”
Derek Uittenbroek, FundTheGap CEO stated, “We have worked hard on our proposition to ensure we are clearly differentiated from the competition and to establish a healthy pipeline of high quality investment opportunities from the outset. For Darwin to have recognised the potential of our business so early in its existence is extremely rewarding. This is a tremendously exciting opportunity for us to work closely with – and have the support of – an experienced and specialist team that is as focused as we are on helping growth companies to access capital”.
FundTheGap launched with the aim of introducing high standards of quality and professionalism to the fast-growing crowdfunding and online investment sector. In particular, it focused on helping companies with a solid business plan and strong management team looking to raise up to £2 million in equity from private investors. Having only launched six months ago, FundTheGap claimed a strong pipeline of investment opportunities.
Uittenbroek, previously a management consultant with Accenture, will be migrating to Darwin and continue to head up the crowdfunding operation. Ken Ford will continue as non-executive director a change from his role as non-executive Chairman. Two other co-founders Martin Sherwood and Christian Elmes will remain as shareholders in the business.
The United Kingdom has been a global leader in the equity crowdfunding world. Multiple platforms have launched to capture the wave of financial innovation. Much attention has been focused on leaders Crowdcube and Seedrs but other platforms are hoping to capture their share of the growing market.