A Bristol-based firm supplying pioneering analytical technology to the global pharmaceutical industry has been sold to a major US biotech group in a deal handled by a team from law firm Thrings. Optimal Industrial Automation and Technologies’ acquisition by Massachusetts-based Bruker Corporation opens up new markets for both firms. Founded...
Bristol-based handmade cake firm Cakesmiths has secured investment from mid-market private equity firm LDC to support the next stage of its rapid growth. Cakesmiths supplies its range of artisan cakes to independent customers across the UK through its direct-to-market online platform. It caters to a wide range of palates,...
The government has been urged to help Bristol businesses weather the storm of soaring energy, raw material and wage costs at a time when they are still being buffeted by the combined impact of Brexit and the pandemic. The plea has come from Business West, the regional business group...
Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement was trailed as delivering some hope for beleaguered businesses as the post-pandemic recovery is being threatened by global price hikes. Bristol business leaders and financial experts welcomed some of the measures – but voiced concern that they did not go far enough to ease...
Bristol-based engineering business Avon Group has made its third acquisition in less than two years as it consolidates its position as a major player in the UK’s industrial component manufacturing sector. The addition of Acousta Products means Avon is now made up of nine individual companies based around the UK...
University of Bristol spin-out companies generate higher average returns on investment than those of any other UK university, a new study has found. The University Spin-out Report revealed that over 20 years the average UK spin-out generates around double the original capital raised. But Bristol’s spin-outs average 285%, putting the...
Bristol tech start-up Zero Point Motion has raised £2.58m in a seed funding round to build a state-of-the-art lab in the city as it develops a new kind of navigation and motion-sensing microchip. The investment also means that Zero Point Motion founder and CEO Dr Ying Lia Li, pictured,...
Acquisition-hungry Bristol businesses can find out how software robotics could help revolutionise their financial reporting at an online event hosted by accountancy group Tilney Smith & Williamson next week. The webinar on Wednesday, March 23, will explain the benefits of robotic process automation (RPA) and Tilney Smith & Williamson’s...
The corporate finance team at regional accountancy firm Bishop Fleming, which has its largest office in Bristol, has advised the shareholders of a fire safety specialist business on its sale to one of Europe’s largest fire-protection engineering companies. The acquisition of Worcester-headquartered Compco Fire Systems adds £40m to Irish...
British military jet developer AERALIS, which hopes to supply the RAF with its next trainer aircraft, has opened a base in Bristol as it prepares to do battle with the giants of the UK defence sector. The firm said it chose the city for what it is calling its...
A major festival to be staged in Bristol this summer will give business leaders the opportunity to discuss key issues for the city ranging from the drive towards net zero to the reinvention of high streets with with government ministers and leading opposition politicians. The two-day Big Tent Festival...
Five innovative tech companies with founders from diverse ethnic backgrounds have been awarded a special bursary by tech incubator SETsquared Bristol. Now in its third year, the Breakthrough Bursary provides heavily subsidised membership to SETsquared Bristol’s pioneering incubation programme, including bespoke business support, mentoring, coaching and investment readiness training. ...
Bristol firms are being urged to prepare for new rules on food waste as the government sets about increasing recycling levels. Waste management company Grundon, which has a base in Bristol, says the new food waste guidelines, which are expected to be announced imminently, are part of a bigger...
