The Bristol office of financial and professional services firm Smith & Williamson has advised Bright Network, the platform that connects employers with graduates, on its £3.5m fundraising. 
The investment from Maven Capital Partners will support smart matching technology capabilities and enhancing sales and marketing resources at London-based Bright Network.
The firm uses media data and analytics to reach, find and recruit high-calibre students and young professionals for client organisations such as Goldman Sachs, EY, Dyson, P&G and the Armed Forces. It has around 280,000 graduate or student members.
Iain Lownes, partner and corporate finance director at Smith & Williamson, was lead adviser on the transaction, supported by Roland Brook and Paul Stagg.
He said: “Bright Network marries the need of employers seeking the very best and most diverse pool of talent with the need of students and young professionals to develop exciting careers and showcase their talents.
“The business is already a success story, but this fundraising will enable it to continue its growth by investing in its people and platform infrastructure.
“Smith & Williamson has a strong focus on working with technology businesses and I was delighted to work with the Bright Network team to help them towards delivering the next step of their important strategy.” 
Bright Network CEO James Uffindell added: “Having the right advisers on board is critical and Smith & Williamson has done a wonderful job of securing the next stage of our growth plan.
“Today, in these challenging times, pooling expertise and working in partnership is more important than ever.”
Maven originally invested in Bright Network two years ago, alongside existing and angel investors. The latest funding also includes investment from private equity firm Seneca Partners.
