Our international network ICFG during Covid-19 – Stronger together

Being part of an international network is key for an M&A advisory firm in “normal” times, but it is even more important nowadays, when a global pandemic hits the world.

Our international network ICFG is positioned at three different stages of the Covid-19 crisis, with Partners located across the globe from China to the USA, and a dense presence across the whole of Europe including pandemic epicentre in Europe, Italy.

Our ideally located global offices, currently all at varying stages of the Covid-19 journey, ensure we have the specific knowledge needed to steer our clients through the requirements and regulations within their local market.  In the short term our clients can rely on our debt advisory capacity and multi-country strategic insight, to help them find the right, immediate solution for their business during the Covid-19 pandemic, without losing a global perspective.

Each week we mobilise an “around the world” perspective to identify an emerging set of best practices aimed at overcoming this sharp curve, from a pragmatic and hands-on perspective. We share insights on the M&A market in each country as well as investment opportunities and measures taken by governments to help local and international businesses.

Our team of M&A professionals are currently assisting a number of clients through the Covid-19 crisis and preparing for a brighter future.

Beyond short term measures, we remain committed to long term value for our clients.  We will actively look at the underlying value trends that a major assets repricing, combined with a major consumer practices triggered by this confinement period will induce, in terms of strategy focus and assets allocation.

Our international network ICFG during Covid-19 – Stronger together

Being part of an international network is key for an M&A advisory firm in “normal” times, but it is even more important nowadays, when a global pandemic hits the world.

Our international network ICFG is positioned at three different stages of the Covid-19 crisis, with Partners located across the globe from China to the USA, and a dense presence across the whole of Europe including pandemic epicentre in Europe, Italy.

Our ideally located global offices, currently all at varying stages of the Covid-19 journey, ensure we have the specific knowledge needed to steer our clients through the requirements and regulations within their local market.  In the short term our clients can rely on our debt advisory capacity and multi-country strategic insight, to help them find the right, immediate solution for their business during the Covid-19 pandemic, without losing a global perspective.

Each week we mobilise an “around the world” perspective to identify an emerging set of best practices aimed at overcoming this sharp curve, from a pragmatic and hands-on perspective. We share insights on the M&A market in each country as well as investment opportunities and measures taken by governments to help local and international businesses.

Our team of M&A professionals are currently assisting a number of clients through the Covid-19 crisis and preparing for a brighter future.

Beyond short term measures, we remain committed to long term value for our clients.  We will actively look at the underlying value trends that a major assets repricing, combined with a major consumer practices triggered by this confinement period will induce, in terms of strategy focus and assets allocation.

New COVID-19 funding scheme for start-ups

The Government earlier this week announced the launch of the Future Fund, a new £250m funding scheme to support innovative companies facing financing difficulties following the COVID-19 outbreak.

The new scheme, delivered in partnership with the British Business Bank, will allow innovative companies access to convertible loans and will initially be open until September 2020.

If you do require assistance in navigating through the Future Fund scheme and your options, we would be delighted either to provide limited ad-hoc guidance without requiring any commitment from you or alternatively we would be delighted to support you in a more formal capacity.

Future Fund Scheme Highlights

Further details on the Future Fund scheme are still to be released by the Government but the known key features include:

  • The Government will make unsecured bridge funding available alongside other private third party matched investment. The loan with constitute a maximum of 50% of the bridge funding being provided to the company, with the remaining amount provided by matched investors;
  • The scheme covers facilities between £125,000 and £5 million;
  • To be eligible, a business must be an unlisted UK registered company that has raised at least £250,000 in aggregate from private third party investors in previous funding rounds in the last five years;
  • The Government shall receive a minimum of 8% p.a interest to be paid on maturity of the loan and the loan will mature after a maximum of 36 months;
  • The bridge funding should be used solely for working capital purposes and shall not be used by the company to repay any borrowings, make any dividends or bonus payments to staff, management, shareholders or consultants;
  • The bridge funding will automatically convert into equity on the company’s next qualifying funding round at a minimum conversion discount of 20% to the price set by that funding round with a company repayment right in respect of the accrued interest; and
  • A qualifying round is one where the company raises equity funding equal at least to the aggregate amount of the bridge funding. On a non-qualifying round, the bridge funding shall convert into equity at the discount price to the round (at the election of the holders of a majority or the principal amount held by the matched investors).

How we can help

We would welcome the opportunity of supporting your business during these difficult times either in securing a COVID-19 loan under the Future Fund scheme or assisting more generally in planning and responding to the current crisis to ensure business continuity. We are currently assisting a number of clients in securing additional borrowings including situations where we have stepped into existing loan application processes to expedite, enhance delivery or increase the lending quantum.

Please do not hesitate to contact us.

New COVID-19 funding scheme for start-ups

The Government earlier this week announced the launch of the Future Fund, a new £250m funding scheme to support innovative companies facing financing difficulties following the COVID-19 outbreak.

The new scheme, delivered in partnership with the British Business Bank, will allow innovative companies access to convertible loans and will initially be open until September 2020.

If you do require assistance in navigating through the Future Fund scheme and your options, we would be delighted either to provide limited ad-hoc guidance without requiring any commitment from you or alternatively we would be delighted to support you in a more formal capacity.

Future Fund Scheme Highlights

Further details on the Future Fund scheme are still to be released by the Government but the known key features include:

  • The Government will make unsecured bridge funding available alongside other private third party matched investment. The loan with constitute a maximum of 50% of the bridge funding being provided to the company, with the remaining amount provided by matched investors;
  • The scheme covers facilities between £125,000 and £5 million;
  • To be eligible, a business must be an unlisted UK registered company that has raised at least £250,000 in aggregate from private third party investors in previous funding rounds in the last five years;
  • The Government shall receive a minimum of 8% p.a interest to be paid on maturity of the loan and the loan will mature after a maximum of 36 months;
  • The bridge funding should be used solely for working capital purposes and shall not be used by the company to repay any borrowings, make any dividends or bonus payments to staff, management, shareholders or consultants;
  • The bridge funding will automatically convert into equity on the company’s next qualifying funding round at a minimum conversion discount of 20% to the price set by that funding round with a company repayment right in respect of the accrued interest; and
  • A qualifying round is one where the company raises equity funding equal at least to the aggregate amount of the bridge funding. On a non-qualifying round, the bridge funding shall convert into equity at the discount price to the round (at the election of the holders of a majority or the principal amount held by the matched investors).

How we can help

We would welcome the opportunity of supporting your business during these difficult times either in securing a COVID-19 loan under the Future Fund scheme or assisting more generally in planning and responding to the current crisis to ensure business continuity. We are currently assisting a number of clients in securing additional borrowings including situations where we have stepped into existing loan application processes to expedite, enhance delivery or increase the lending quantum.

Please do not hesitate to contact us.