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AI & Machine Learning

Software, media & technology is ubiquitous in the world of business, with many business operations now wholly reliant on some form of software or hardware. Companies operating in this space are incredibly varied in the nature of their operations, yet most still enjoy higher transaction multiples when compared to other sectors.

AI & Machine Learning

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry has seen incredible growth in recent years, with an increasing number of businesses and governments alike investing in AI technology. This growth has been fuelled by advances in machine learning, big-data analysis, and cloud computing, enabling AI to be applied across a wide range of industries, from healthcare and finance to retail, media and transportation. More recent developments in consumer-facing, prompt-based language and image generators have seen valuations for these pioneering companies skyrocket.

Despite the many opportunities offered by AI, the industry still faces significant challenges in the form of inaccurate data and training biases. What data is used to train these complex language models? What biases are present in its results? How much trust should we place in these systems? These are all complex questions that will require complex solutions, many of which we don’t yet have the answer to.

With a healthily sceptical eye, however, the promise of AI remains clear to see. Companies with innovative products are seeing massive first-mover advantages as

valuations for the sector scale to new heights. As the promise of this technology becomes fully realised, expect this industry to see growth on an unprecedented scale, with smaller businesses sought out by the giants where they have proven themselves in their particular niche.

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We were delighted with the debt advisory support we received from Polestar. We were looking for flexible banking facilities to support the growth of People Value and Polestar lead the identification of several banking partners and supported us in tailoring the facilities

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“I was very pleased with the advice, guidance and support provided by the team. They were very effective at finding the right buyer, and negotiating a successful sale. However, in retrospect it was equally important that they were enjoyable to work with, making the experience considerably less stressful than it potentially could have been.”

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Recent Transactions

Sustainability
Exit

Advised fast-growing ESG consultancy and software provider on partial exit and development capital with funding from Bridges (impact investor), MSCI and Farview

Software, Media & Technology
Exit

Sale of e-commerce specialist to US-based Malouf

Software, Media & Technology
Strategic Support

Assisted management in its buyout of overseas shareholder

Software, Media & Technology
Exit

Sale of Double First, a leading education Management Information System for private and international schools, to Australia's Education Horizons Group

Software, Media & Technology
Exit

Sale of the UK's first independent licensed telecoms provider, Du Pre, to Southern Communications, backed by Livingbridge (private equity)

Software, Media & Technology
MBO

MBO of GTK, a semiconductor business, backed by Yorkshire Fund Managers

Software, Media & Technology
MBO

Vendor initiated MBO of high-technology cables manufacturer funded by Lloyds Bank Plc

Software, Media & Technology
Exit

Disposal of IT support and distribution business to Denmark's EET Group

Software, Media & Technology
Exit

Advised vendor on sale to Danwood Ltd - a key feature of this transaction was the value attributed to the in-house software

Software, Media & Technology
MBO

Partial exit and MBO of international analytics and data science consulting business, funded by Mobeus Private Equity

Software, Media & Technology
Equity

Investment in Australia-based CFD business by Mustard Systems

Software, Media & Technology
Exit

Sale of eDrive Engineering Services Limited to US tech buyer

Software, Media & Technology
Equity

Advised BGF on its growth capital investment into this fast-growing secure payment business

Software, Media & Technology
Debt Advisory

Debt advisory to board of AIM-listed international travel group in its negotiations with Barclays

Software, Media & Technology
MBO

Advised management on its MBO of flow meter business, with funding from Natwest Bank

Software, Media & Technology
Exit

Sale of gaming business to Sweden’s Boss Media and International Game Technology Plc

Software, Media & Technology
Debt Advisory

Debt advisory services for International expansion of chatbot, automated virtual assistant software

Software, Media & Technology
MBO

Sold to a consortium of international investors lead by Westbridge Private Equity

Software, Media & Technology
Exit

Sale of telecoms and infrastructure business to Nine Telecom - now owned by LDC-backed Onecom

Software, Media & Technology
Equity

Capital raising for technology business from high-net-worth individuals

Software, Media & Technology
Equity

Assistance with Dental Medical Plan's development of online practitioner training

Software, Media & Technology
Equity

Advised on AIM fundraise for call centre software provider

Software, Media & Technology
Exit

Disposal advisory services to ETC Communications, an IT consulting services company, on its disposal to listed business software solutions provider Touchstone Group

Software, Media & Technology
M&A

Advised on acquisition of D Ford Associates, a specialist CCTV and thermal imaging security business

Software, Media & Technology
M&A

Advised on Acquisition of Overtis Solutions, a security software and hardware business, out of Overtis Group