British taxpayers get stake in psychedelic medicine, whisky and footballers' investor - The Guardian

1 year ago 55

British taxpayers person go shareholders successful a further 53 companies backed by a authorities rescue backing scheme, including a institution that makes c antagonistic play products, a steadfast producing nutrient cultivated straight from cells without the usage of animals, and a “holistic” whisky distiller.

The British Business Bank’s Future Fund was acceptable up by Rishi Sunak erstwhile helium was chancellor. It was established during the tallness of the Covid pandemic to enactment startups and innovative firms done the crisis, and has fixed 1,190 companies backing worthy £1.14bn successful total.

About fractional of those firms person present had those loans converted to equity aft they raised third-party backing that astatine slightest matched that from the government. This means taxpayers present person equity stakes successful 515 companies, an summation of 53 companies successful the 4th quarter.

The latest information reveals stakes successful companies including Sanitary Owl Ltd, a certified B Corp that makes toxin-free c antagonistic play products nether the marque Dame, and Roslin Technologies, an Edinburgh-based steadfast that produces nutrient produced straight from cells without the usage of animals.

Also connected the database is The Lakes Distillery, who practise holistic whisky making, and Cred Investments, which helps nonrecreational footballers accelerate their savings and investments.

Taxpayers besides person a stock successful Sheep Included, a London-based covering marque that makes carbon-negative knitwear, and Beckley Psytech, which develops psychedelic medicines for patients with psychiatric disorders.

Other companies that taxpayers present person a portion of see Edgify, which has developed AI exertion for self-checkouts, Methera Global, which provides superfast broadband utilizing satellites, and Solar Options for Schools, which helps marque schools much sustainable by installing star panels.

Previous information releases person revealed taxpayers person stakes successful companies ranging from the sex-party readying steadfast Killing Kittens, and a medical cannabis farm, to a yoghurt-bar business.

The latest database besides shows that 83 firms that received convertible loans from the Future Fund person gone into medication oregon are present insolvent.

Ken Cooper, managing manager of Venture Solutions astatine British Business Bank, said: “The Future Fund was created to guarantee a travel of capital, astatine the tallness of the pandemic, to companies that would different person been incapable to entree authorities enactment schemes, portion ensuring semipermanent worth for the UK taxpayer.

“We are pleased to spot truthful galore of those companies present going connected to rise further backstage assemblage capital, which volition let the Future Fund to payment from their continued growth.”

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