Intoduction
If you are the owner of or the creative force behind one or more of the 4,000 UK patents granted every year to private individuals, there is a 95% chance that commercialising the product, process or service (the product) has proved to be a very frustrating activity.
Challenger Investments Limited, (Challenger or the Company) in conjunction with its operations manager / gatekeeper, ACM Catalyst Limited (ACM), provides originators and new businesses with the essential ingredients comprehensive intensive management support and finance to accelerate the successful commercialisation of novel products.
The Company currently concentrates on two geographical regions, West Central Scotland and the greater Manchester area. Approaches from outside these areas are, however, always welcome.
Preferred characteristics
Prior to contacting Challenger / ACM, all innovators are encouraged to assess themselves and their product against the following criteria:
Regardless of background, all innovators should willingly accept that achieving their commercial objectives will be significantly enhanced by working with experienced managers with relevant expertise.
The novel product is or can be protected by formal Intellectual Property rights or by robust Black Art.
The product has reached basic working prototype stage or will clearly achieve that status.
The product is capable of being developed into a family of product derivatives or will be sellable across multiple sectors / markets.
Evidence should be available to show that there is international demand for the product.
The product should not be targeted at an existing market where commodity pricing dominates.
It is important to note that initial sales are not a prerequisite to securing support.
Product sectors.
Fundamentally, as a very broad range of products is of interest to Challenger and its members, it is more appropriate to identify those that are less likely to attract investment from the members. Those more likely to be excluded are:
Long term biotechnology and pharmaceutical projects
Property development
Software sold to consumers
Retail
Hotels, pubs and clubs
Nursing and residential homes
Next steps
On behalf of Challenger, all approaches should be directed to ACM Catalyst Limited contact details are given below. Initially, a summary of the product's key strengths, weaknesses, market potential, customer interest and patent position should be provided rather than a formal business plan. Acting as the assessing gatekeeper for the members of Challenger, ACM provides periodic reports on all approaches to the directors of Challenger. Approved summaries are then circulated to the investing members of Challenger and levels of investment interest are established. Only those product opportunities likely to receive meaningful investment are developed further.
Investment
Virtually all investments made by the members will be for ordinary shares. The investment range is expected to be in the range £100,000 - £300,000 but larger or smaller amounts will be considered when appropriate. It must be noted that all investment decisions are taken independently by each individual member of the Challenger angel syndicate.
Directors
The directors of both Challenger and ACM Catalyst each have, on average, over 25 years direct experience of high growth companies. Additionally, through the application of intensive project management, corporate venturing techniques and appropriate financial management, the directors and managers of ACM Catalyst have achieved success rates in excess of 70% by number and between 28% per annum compound and 200% per annum compound in terms of company valuation increases.
Regulation
Challenger Investments Limited is a company limited by guarantee. It acts solely as the focal point for the members who are independent business angels. Challenger operates in accordance with the regulations enacted under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA).
Additional contacts for information
Carswell Securities Limited, an independent Scottish company based in Glasgow, provides a wide range of bespoke corporate services. The company prides itself on the quality of its customer service and the pedigree of the underlying team. Their clients include individuals, trusts, charities through to institutions and corporates.
Contact: Dennis McGuinness
Tel: 0141 202 0730
