Calculus Capital invests £2.5m in Cambridge firm at centre of global multi-media content revolution
London, October 29. Private equity specialist Calculus Capital has invested £2.5m in a media technology business that provides multi-media content management systems to leading broadcasters and businesses around the world.
IPV, which is based in Cambridge’s hi-tech ‘Silicon Fen’ hub, develops software and services that speed up, simplify and efficiently co-ordinate hitherto complicated processes for managing and delivering media content through multiple platforms.
IPV’s software is used by blue chip names in the broadcasting world including CNN, Sony Entertainment and A+E New York, as well as by non-media businesses, such as U.S. retail giant Home Depot, for storing, managing, editing and disseminating content rapidly through multiple media channels.
Susan McDonald, Chairman of Calculus Capital, said: “IPV is a very exciting business that sits at the heart of a high growth, global sector. It provides market-leading software and technology solutions that help its customers improve their earnings, productivity, effectiveness and reach.
“Increasingly, media organisations are aiming to achieve a ‘Content Factory’ experience – streamlining the creative editorial process and the delivery of content to multiple platforms. IPV’s products help solve this problem, utilising sophisticated techniques for integrating social media analytics and importantly, managing metadata.
“IPV already has many established high profile technology partners and channels to market including OpenText and Adobe”, and importantly, the need for content management is moving beyond traditional broadcasting capabilities. From law courts where proceedings are recorded on video, to large retailers such as Home Depot providing promotional materials and training videos to staff, IPV’s technology is being used by an ever broader client base.”
Calculus’s investment will be used by IPV to fund its continuing global expansion, which has already seen it reach into markets in North America, Europe and the Pacific Rim.
David Cole, IPV’s Chief Executive and Chief Technical Officer, said: “Calculus Capital’s track record of helping established companies take the next step in their development is second-to-none.
“Calculus brings us the financial backing we need to accelerate our expansion, a huge amount of expertise and years of experience helping smaller businesses to grow. We know we will also benefit from this.”
Calculus’s investment in IPV is the second deal it has completed in the space of a few days. On Tuesday (October 27) Calculus announced a £3m investment in Mologic, a Bedford-based developer of diagnostic technologies and devices designed to help patients manage their own conditions.
John Glencross, Calculus Capital Chief Executive, said: “Deal flow continues to be very strong for us. There are a lot of good businesses out there that need funding to help them grow but are not getting it from traditional sources, such as banks. Private equity, directly and through investment vehicles such as EIS and VCTs, is playing an important role in providing much-needed capital to these companies and helping to support the UK economy.”