KPMG Acceleris, a venture capital advisory joint venture between KPMG UK and Acceleris, has taken space at No.1 Circle Square in the heart of Manchester’s innovation district.
KPMG Acceleris delivers a range of fundraising and advisory services for entrepreneurs in the UK and internationally, with a particular focus on businesses in technology, life sciences and ESG-related sectors. The firm provides access for entrepreneurs to an active pool of investors to support investments of £1 million to £30m+.
The new space at Bruntwood SciTech No.1 Circle Square has been specifically designed to accommodate high growth digital and tech businesses. It comes after KPMG Acceleris secured approval of the joint venture from the Financial Conduct Authority, formally completing the formation of the new entity.
The JV is eyeing further national expansion as it grows its team of venture capital professionals. It recently hired Sarah Abrahams as a Partner to its London office to specialise in fundraising for high-growth businesses seeking pre-seed to Series A finance (£500k-£20m).
KPMG Acceleris employs 18 staff and operates from offices in Wigan, Manchester, Cambridge and London and is considering expanding its value-enhancing services in this market, including financial modelling, education, and the use of technology.
“Since forming KPMG Acceleris, we’ve been committed to expanding into a new dedicated space for this unique partnership,” said Jonathan Boyers, executive chair of corporate finance at KPMG UK and director of KPMG Acceleris.
“We’re thrilled with the new space at No.1 Circle Square – it is well connected, in the heart of the tech community and gives a great environment to further expand our team and service offering.
“There is incredible demand for early-stage enterprise funding and interest from investors to get into the sector. KPMG Acceleris has a really important role to play in matching that demand and supporting the UK’s vibrant tech ecosystem with the advice they need to realise their funding goals and, crucially, transition through their growth lifecycle and beyond.”
Josh Whiteley, head of commercial at Bruntwood SciTech, added: “KPMG’s Acceleris team joins an extensive network of world-leading innovators at Circle Square, which has quickly established itself as a key driver for the innovation district, city and the wider region’s burgeoning tech cluster.
“With an established community of tech and digital entrepreneurs in our Tech Incubator, through to global leading businesses all based in the same neighbourhood, Acceleris will be connected with and physically located alongside the types of companies they are looking to work with.
“We are delighted that they have selected Circle Square, and look forward to seeing them work alongside Northern Gristone and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult to support businesses to scale both here and in the wider Bruntwood SciTech portfolio in Manchester.”