E N D
1. North West Business Finance Fund and Loan Management Services
3. Introduction David Read – Head of Business Finance NWDA
4. NW Region Largest region outside of the South East
Home to 247,000 businesses and a strong regional economy
Moving from traditional industries to new priority sectors:
Biomedical
Energy and Environmental Technologies
Advanced Engineering and Material
Food and Drink
Digital and Creative Industries
Business and Professional Services
Large SME base, suffering from lack of funding options caused, in part, by the credit crunch
Large academic and commercial research presence with an active “spin-out” culture
5. North West Operational Programme (NWOP) NWDA has been allocated €755 million from ERDF to spend in the Northwest between 2007 and 2013
The NWOP has four priority areas for funding of which the VCLF delivers under Priorities 1 and 2
The NWOP aims by December 2015 to:
create 26,700 additional net jobs
create 2500 businesses
improve the region's annual Gross Value Added by £1.17bn
25% reduction in additional carbon dioxide emissions
VCLF plays a significant part in achieving these outputs
6. VCLF Investment Framework Programme requires 40% in the Merseyside phasing-in area and 60% in the rest of North West.
Priority 1 Stimulating Enterprise and Supporting Growth in Target and Markets:
Action Area 1.1 - Developing high value new enterprise
Action Area 1.2 - Developing higher added-value activity in target regional sectors
Priority 2 Stimulating Enterprise & Supporting Successful Businesses:
Action Area 2.1 - Exploiting the science and R&D base of the region
Action Area 2.2 - Encouraging innovation to improve productivity in all companies
7. JEREMIE JEREMIE - Joint European REsources for MIcro to medium Enterprises
European Commission and European Investment Bank (EIB) initiative
EIB provide the private match funding
EIF to act as an advisor to NWBF / EIB
8. JESSICA JESSICA - Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas
£100m for development of Regional Strategic Sites through loan, equity and guarantee.
Returns to be invested in an ‘evergreen’ legacy fund
Funding via Urban Development Funds (UDFs)
UDF procurement notice to be issued at the end of March
Opportunity to partner with public sector as EIB require UDFs to be FSA regulated
9. VCLF approvals All central government approvals
BIS CPRG approval – Economic case
CLG stage 1 and 2 Approval – ERDF investment
Secretary of state approval - 5 2 c private company
BIS approval to regional JEREMIE funds
Compliance with Solutions for Business
EIB Board approval in principle of €102m loan
ERDF and private sector funding totalling £184m was drawn down at the end of November 2009
10. NW Business Finance LtdDavid Read – Director, NWBF
11. Objectives of NWBF To create a lasting Evergreen legacy fund for the region after the end of the ERDF programme in 2015
To establish a major, single branded region-wide VCLF in the North West, operating alongside other forms of SME support
Improve the survival of new businesses and assist the development of key sectors in the region
To provide a range of debt and equity finance that SMEs require to grow and generate additional wealth
12. Holding Fund NWBF is a newly established company limited by guarantee
5 members, NWDA plus four private sector individuals
Fund of funds, NWBF, will oversee the administration of the funds and will contract with fund managers for them to run, via limited partnership structures
NWBF Board will be advised by an Investment Advisory Panel, made up of people including those with proven VC experience, either as providers or users
Allocation of funding between the VCLF will be decided by the NWBF Board
Additional follow-on funding available from the recycling of existing ERDF and NWDA backed funds after December 2015
13. Structure – Holding Fund model
14. VCLF Structure Funding model – co-finance/co-investment
NWBF Board to provide strategic guidance for the company and fund manager
Clear distinction in the roles and responsibilities of holding fund and fund managers
Meet requirements of ERDF grant funding and JEREMIE programme
Strategic alignment with the wider business support network to support deal flow i.e. BLNW Access to Finance service
15. NWBF Board Up to 10 Board directors
Responsibilities:
Agree, review and monitor the delivery of the Holding Fund Investment Strategy
Decide on the appointment of fund managers, based on the procurement, IAP and EIF’s/EIB’s recommendations
Review the performance of individual funds against their agreed Business Plans
Review the Holding Fund’s financial standing and sign off the annual audited accounts
Ensure compliance with the ERDF funding agreements
Ensure the proper and efficient conduct of the Holding Fund
16. Investment Advisory Panel Panel is made up of:
5 independent members to be appointed
Board Director - NWBF
Managing Director - NWBF
Observers: EIF/EIB and BIS representative
Responsibilities to advise the Board on:
Structuring of Investment policies and Investment Funds
Maintaining and updating NWBF Business plan over the fund lifetime
Portfolio management - maintaining overview of Funds performance
Contractual arrangements with individual Fund Managers
Reviewing fund manager reports and reporting on portfolio to stakeholders
17. Funding outputs Jobs created and Safeguarded 14,000
Businesses supported financially 800
Private sector Leverage £92.4m
Private match funding (EIB) £92.4m
Increase in GVA £300m
Businesses Created 200
Business Start up support 300
18. Investment Timescales Biggest public VCLF in the Europe benefited as a result of the fluctuation in exchange rates
Challenging investment profile to achieve the ERDF requirements, however the economic climate shows a significant demand to support businesses in the recovery
A possible investment profile of the overall VCLF up to end of 2015 is:
2010 - £15.8m
2011 - £33m
2012 - £34m
2013 - £34m
2014 - £34m
2015 - £34m
Total - £184.8m
19. Invitation to Tender Format and DocumentationRachel Laver - NWDA
20. Format Of ITT Four Volumes
1 – Instructions
2 – Selection Criteria
3 – Award criteria
4 – Legal Documentation
21. Volume 2 Selection Criteria Tells us about your organisation
Request accounts
Adherence to Equal Opportunities
FSA Authorisation as a Fund Manager
Environmental/Sustainability policy
Questions 1-10 are pass/fail or Information Only
Question 11 Technical Ability and Experience – weighted questions to be scored
50% Pass mark
22. Volume 3, Section 1Service Delivery and Approach 11 questions. Questions 2-11 weighted and scored
How you propose to deliver each lot tendering for
No of words correlates to weighting of question.
Stage 1 score is not carried forward
85% of total score.
23. Volume 3, Section 2Pricing Schedule Excel Workbook
15% of Tender Score
10% for financial and economic outputs
3% Lowest price will receive maximum score
2% for the most advantageous hurdle rate
Instructions for completion are on front Sheet
Three worksheets to complete:
Data Entry
Fund manager P&L
Fund Manager Staff Costs
Only pricing models completed using the workbook will be accepted
24. Format of Submission Clearly mark which Lot tendering for
Answer all questions
Adhere to word Limits
Clearly reference all attachments
Submit 3 hard copies and 1 cd Rom
Tenders to be submitted 12 noon 5th March
25. What you need to submit Appendix F Checklist
Volume 2 completed
Volume 3 completed with attachments
Pricing schedule
Procurement certificates
Volume 4 nothing to be returned. Please confirm agreement subject to contract, terms and conditions
26. Process for assessment of tenders Stage 1 Selection criteria review – 50% required to progress to stage 2
Stage 2 Award
Approach and service delivery 85%
Pricing Schedule 15%
Validation and Interviews
Tender scoring and moderation
Appointment to Framework
Mini competition following appointment to panel
27. Timetable Clarifications up to 24th February
Tenders due By noon 5th March
Validation Visits 22nd March – 9th April
Interviews 12th - 16th April
Framework Agreements signed 13th May
Mini Competition End of May
Award of Funds Mid June
28. Structure of FundsDavid Read - NWDA
29. NW approach to developing VCLF Evaluation of Current VCLFs
Considered VCLF models and approaches and whether still appropriate and fit for purpose
Assessed the financial performance of the VCLFs against targets
Assessed the effectiveness of the management and governance of the VCLFs
Assessed the emerging outcomes and impacts achieved by the VCLF’s and value for money
Reviewed recommendations from:
Regeneris Study of ERDF VCLFs (June 2007)
European Commission ‘Comparative Study of VCLFs
Key learning points have been included in the development of the NW VCLF
Market testing with Fund Managers from across the UK
30. Funds Initial allocation of funds will be as follows:
Fund size range
Development Capital Fund £45m - £125m
Expansion capital
Venture Capital Fund £30m - £100m
Early Stage; Proof of concept, start and seed
Loan Fund £35m - £50m
Loans of £50k - £250k
Priority Sectors Growth Fund £45m - £125m
Sector focused
31. Funds The Board have provided an indicative value for each fund
The IAP will provide advice and the Board will decide the value of the initial awards
Initially likely around £155m will be allocated following this procurement
Balance of funds will be retained enabling flexibility to respond to market conditions
32. Investment and Returns Investment period ends 31/12/15
All realisations prioritised for EIB loan repayment
After EIB repaid surplus realisation will be transferred to legacy fund for future re-allocation
Evergreen funding model to run in perpetuity for the benefit of the NW region
33. Framework AgreementMartin Vincent – Mace & Jones
34. Framework Agreement Purpose:
To create a formal panel of service providers
To establish the “rules” of the panel and membership
35. Framework Agreement Panel membership:
No guarantee of any / any level of business / opportunity
Tenders submitted and accepted will potentially bind tenderers for the term of the framework
36. Framework Agreement Rules:
Funds allocated by NWBF Board
Mini-competition process
Builds on tender
Responsive
“Award” is an opportunity to enter into the Limited Partnership Agreement
37. Legal AgreementsPatricia Grinyer – Mace & Jones
38. Limited Partnership Agreement and Management Agreement
Structure for the funds is Limited Partnership - although an exception may be made for the loan fund (Lot 3)
Limited Partnership not Limited Liability Partnership
General Partner vs. Limited Partner
Parties –
1. General Partner 2. NWBF 3. Carried Interest Partner
“Consent” – NWBF consent
Management Agreement - Partnership (acting through the General Partner) appoints the Manager
39. General Provisions of the Limited Partnership Agreement The Limited Partnership Agreement sets out -
The Terms and Conditions of the Investment Loan
The Terms and Conditions of the Management Project Loan
Operation and Management of Partnership
Removal of the General Partner
Distributions of the Partnership
Obligations of NWBF’s Funders
40. Investment Loan Made available from NWBF to the Partnership
Manager to provide requisite notices
Must be invested in the Investment Loan Commitment Period
May be increased by Consent - voluntary or imposed increases/decreases
General Partner’s responsibility to ensure it makes investments which are in accordance with Investment Policy and the Manager shall be liable for losses/costs incurred as result of breach
Investment Project Approval Request confirmation
41. Management Project Loan This is the General Partner’s share (i.e. a prior call on profits) The GP receives the GPS in the first instance by drawing down in full from the MPL
Advanced quarterly
First payment on the Closing Date
Manager must provide the Management Project Loan Drawdown Notice
Must have provided quarterly report
42. Operation and Management of the Partnership Through the General Partner – the Partnership will appoint the Manager on the terms of the Management Agreement
Management Agreement cannot be amended without Consent
Cost of appointing the Manager is borne by the General Partner
Manager must be FSA regulated (NB only applies to Lots 1, 2 and 4)
Manager has responsibility for ensuring they have adequate staff, insurance etc.
General Partner vests various powers to the Fund Manager
43. Operation and Management of the Partnership (2) Management Agreement sets out the obligations – mirrors Limited Partnership Agreement
Removal of General Partner shall cause the Manager to cease to be a manager of the Partnership
Can charge an arrangement fee and monitoring fee to the SME
Fund Manager tenders will be attached to the LPA as it forms the basis on which bidders are appointed
44. Operation and Management of the Partnership (3) Reporting Requirements (quarterly and annually)
Agree and prepare Annual Budgets and Marketing Plan
Removal of General Partner either
by Consent without cause (GP shall be entitled to retain a fraction of the General Partners Share)
by Consent with cause (negligence/wilful default/breach of conditions/bankruptcy/insolvency/failure to provide information when required…)
Conflict of Interest policy
Payments of Fees/Expenses
Dispute Resolution
45. Allocation of Debts/Liabilities and Obligations of the Partnership All capital receipts applied in reduction of the Investment Loan and Management Project Loan
Allocation of Profit
to pay General Partner’s Share (this is in effect a prior call on profits and will be paid to the General partner by way of a Management Project Loan)
then to NWBF solely – until all to NWBF until the reallocation point (i.e. the later of (1) the occurrence of the Investment Loan, Management Project Loan, EIB Loans (of NWBF) are repaid in full and (2) liquidation of the partnership)
46. Allocation of Debts/Liabilities and Obligations of the Partnership (2) Following the reallocation point, payments to be made to Carried Interest Partner
25% of the Preferred Return; thereafter
80/20 Holding Fund/Carried Interest Partner
47. Obligations of Funders General Partner/Manager must comply with the requirements of the funders to NWBF
Investments must be in accordance with the IOG’s and GBER. Must avoid EIB Restricted Sectors and ERDF Sensitive Sectors
Bank Accounts – split of public and private sector monies on the downstream funds
Warranties (for both General Partner and the Manager)
Reporting Requirements
Providing Security
Block on payments of Management Project Loan and Investment Loan – Consultation Events/Review Events/Events of Default
48. Investment Criteria Clive Brook – Amberley Advisory
49. Clarification to IOG’s State Aid investment size limitations
State Aid sector limitations
EIB sector limitations
ERDF sector limitations
Share acquisitions
Undertakings in difficulty
50. State Aid investment size limitations
51. State Aid investment size limitations (2)
52. State Aid investment size limitations (3)
53. State Aid sector limitations GBER gives no ruling on businesses whose turnover is only partially to customers in a restricted sector
UK Government recently obtained a retrospective State Aid approval for EIS and VCT schemes
These contained a rule that no more than 20% of a business’s turnover could be to a restricted sector, if this business was to be EIS/VCT compliant
BIS consider it reasonable to conclude that a similar 20% rule might sensibly be applied to Risk Capital initiatives such as JEREMIE
However, this is a “risk based” approach, there is no regulatory concession
54. EIB Sector Limitations EIB loan agreement gives no ruling on businesses where turnover is only partially to customers in a restricted sector.
Verbal indications (which we are trying to get in writing) are that it is only businesses with turnover solely in a restricted sector which would be caught.
Examples:- OK Restricted
Aero Engines component mfg, some engines
used on military planes. v
Motor vehicle component mfg, some cars sold
by OEM to police forces. v
Mobile phone decoder, used by police forces
and other security agencies v
55. ERDF Sector Limitations Still awaiting further information from ERDF
Will provide information on website
56. Share acquisitions “Banned” under ERDF and EIB
Assets and liability acquisitions not banned
EIB willing to allow share purchases where present owner is retiring
ERDF
still awaiting further information
Less of an issue than EIB due to type of sector
57. Undertakings in Difficulty Defined in GBER Chapter 1, Clause 7
Businesses under 3 years old have to be fulfilling the criteria for being the subject of collective insolvency proceedings, to be barred from taking state-aided risk capital
Businesses over 3 years old alternatively have to have lost 50% of their capital (share capital, reserves and shareholder loans) AND that 25% has been lost in the preceding 12 months
Note: consider carefully the investment structure on start-ups and early stage investments
58. Panel – Questions & Answers
59. Timetable Clarifications up to 24th February
Tenders due By noon 5th March
Validation Visits 22nd March – 9th April
Interviews 12th - 16th April
Framework Agreements signed 13th May
Mini Competition End of May
Award of Funds Mid June