BGF, the leading growth capital investor in the UK and Ireland, invested £489 million in 2024, adding 47 new companies to its portfolio, which now includes 360 businesses. Despite a challenging mergers and acquisitions environment, several firms within BGF’s portfolio achieved significant exits, highlighting the effectiveness of BGF’s investment strategy. Notable exits included engineering consultancy Hydrock, design automation firm DriveWorks, and education recruitment provider Operam Education, yielding money multiples of 6x, 2.8x, and 2.5x, respectively.

BGF typically acquires minority equity stakes, providing entrepreneurs with essential funding to support growth and prepare for future exits. CEO Andy Gregory expressed satisfaction with the new cohort of companies that are contributing to growth, job creation, and innovation across the UK and Ireland. Since its establishment, BGF has invested over £4 billion, aiding more than 600 ambitious small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

In 2024, BGF’s investments spanned various sectors and regions, demonstrating its commitment to regional development. Recent investments included companies like Elite Dynamics in the North West, Skewb in the Midlands, and Woodland Kitchens in Northern Ireland, among others across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. BGF is also focusing on critical global issues such as sustainability and life sciences, with investments in companies like Sunswap, Puraffinity, and Wobble Genomics.

Additionally, BGF collaborated with other investors to contribute £25 million to the Invest in Women Taskforce, which has raised £250 million to support female entrepreneurs and women-led businesses in the UK.

Looking forward to 2025, Gregory reaffirmed BGF‘s commitment to fostering business success and enhancing local economies. He emphasized the organization’s goal of driving growth and supporting value creation for businesses and shareholders, while also contributing to sustainable economic growth.

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