Edinburgh-based venture capital firm Par Equity is expanding its presence into Yorkshire, establishing new offices in both Leeds and Sheffield. This expansion is under the supervision of Giles Moore, who recently took on the role of regional development manager.
Par Equity, a specialist venture capital firm focused on the North of the UK, has injected nearly £160 million into 77 early-stage startups since its establishment in 2008. Among its recent investments are Partful, a Manchester-based 3D manufacturing modeling startup, and Fuuse, a Lancaster-headquartered company specializing in EV charging management software.
Moore brings a wealth of experience to the table, having been actively involved in Yorkshire’s startup and scaleup scene for more than ten years. He is well-acquainted with the challenges and opportunities that the region presents, having co-founded the antimicrobial coating company InfectProtect and managed NorthInvest’s investment program. He also served as the Chief Operations Officer for Campus Capital.
Moore emphasized the potential impact of Par Equity’s expansion into this underserved funding landscape. He noted that the region’s successes often go unnoticed externally, and he believes that Par Equity’s involvement can address the funding gap that still exists.
The Yorkshire region also sees the presence of other investors, such as YFM Equity Partners based in Leeds and Northern Gritstone, an investor focused on Northern England spinouts. This move by Par Equity reflects a strategic effort to tap into the promising opportunities within Yorkshire’s growing startup ecosystem.