Member Article

Lancashire Business Angels Give Investment Boost to GradTouch

A thriving online graduate jobsite is set for international expansion following capital investment support via Lancashire Business Angels, sponsored by Haworths Chartered Accountants.

GradTouch, the UK’s fastest growing jobs board for university leavers, successfully pitched to a ‘Dragons’ Den’ style panel of investors keen to back young, innovative companies in the region.

Based in Manchester, GradTouch was co-founded five years ago by Durham University graduates, Joe Twigg (29) and Zac Williams (27). The rapidly growing company now employs 27 staff and also runs TheDailyTouch.com, an engaging news platform offering entertainment and lifestyle content for 18-24 year olds.

GradTouch matches graduates to jobs with leading companies in the UK and focuses on enhancing the recruitment process with highly visual company mini-sites including video interviews of business leaders and graduates, office time lapses, and pictures that tell the organisation’s story, increasing the likelihood of a successful process for both employers and applicants.

Lancashire Business Angels was launched in association with Haworths Chartered Accountants in 2013 and is designed to bring investors and entrepreneurial high-growth North West businesses together. The network also points local companies in the direction of appropriate business support and advice initiatives to help grow individual companies and the region’s economy.

GradTouch co-founder, Joe Twigg said: “We have been ramping up over the last year and a half and during the last six months we have been out raising funds to continue this growth. GradTouch is the fastest growing service of its type in the UK, and we plan to invest in technological development to create a fantastic user experience for both employers and applicants. This will also facilitate growth across the business allowing us to scale up while maintaining that high level of service. This will also make International expansion a real possibility.

“Lancashire Business Angels is a great resource for businesses in the region. The varied backgrounds of those attending struck me; ranging from entrepreneurs in their early twenties to people who have the opportunity to leverage full scale careers in industry. It’s a great melting pot for anybody looking to promote themselves to investors and fellow young businesses alike. At each of the events, there were always at least 25 people in the room and the pitch process was well supported by the organisers and well received by the audience.”

Paul Spencer, director at Haworths Chartered Accountants, said: “GradTouch is a shining example of the innovative, high potential businesses we have in the region. The environment at our events puts companies looking for investment in front of a large audience of serious investors. It’s especially gratifying that the Lancashire Business Angels matchmaking service has benefited another innovative matchmaking service!”

The next Lancashire Business Angels event will be held at the Mercure Dunkenhalgh Blackburn Hotel on 4 October 2016. Businesses and investors can apply to take part by emailing David Roberts at david@mbs.gb.com, with entrepreneurs outlining the investment opportunity they wish to present.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Haworths Chartered Accountants .