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London's Seedrs named UK's most active investor in private companies

Crowdfunding platform Seedrs has cemented its position as the most active equity investment platform in the UK ahead of what founder Jeff Lynn is predicting to be a ‘record year’.

The London-based tech firm now accounts for 50% of the total UK equity crowdfunding market, while its closest rival Crowdcube currently sits at 40% market share, according to independent research by Beahurst which Seedrs themselves commissioned.

Furthermore, by the half-way point of this year the platform had funded 78 deals, including a £2.2m raise in challenger bank Tandem, marking a noticeable increase on the 55 deals that were funded in the same period in 2015.

It means Seedrs has now funded 380 deals since it was funded since its foundation in 2012.

Commenting on the research, Jeff Lynn said: “We are delighted to continue our lead as the most active equity investment platform in the UK and to have funded 78 deals in the first six months of 2016.

“The gap between Seedrs and the closest competitor is also increasing as Seedrs continues to take 50% market share of all UK equity crowdfunding activity. It is a great start to what looks set to be a record-breaking year.”

Defying the Brexit blues, the firm recently announced plans to expand its ‘pan-European vision’ with the opening of its Amsterdam office earlier this month as it looks to target the Benelux startup community.

Commenting on the fall-out from the EU referendum, Lynn added: “We haven’t seen a notable slowdown since the referendum in spite of fear mongering around the country.

“The UK is still attractive and safe for inward investment and will continue to be one of the number one destinations for entrepreneurs to set up a business with its favourable tax reliefs, streamlined business incorporation and simple transport abroad.”

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