Linc in publishing tie-up to boost investment research

BUSINESS angel body Linc Scotland has signed a licensing deal with Edinburgh House Publishing (EHP) to run the firm's Young Company Finance (YCF) magazine north of the Border.

Jonathan Harris, editor of YCF, will join Linc's board in the new post of director of research and communications.

A spokesman for Linc said that no money had changed hands as part of the deal. Instead, it will provide administrative support to Harris in publishing the magazine and running its annual conference, while Harris will offer market research to business angels.

David Grahame, chief executive of Linc, said: "Jonathan will lead valuable research work and intelligence gathering to improve the chances of our investors and companies securing good deals by enhancing our understanding of the way that big corporates and higher-level investors are behaving.

"YCF's input will greatly enhance the support we provide to young companies while at the same time retaining the editorial independence of which it is justly proud."

The licensing agreement has been signed by LS Ventures, a new subsidiary established by Linc to look at other opportunities in the wider early-stage investment sector.

Harris added: "This is a fantastic opportunity to bring a wider perspective to Linc and to introduce a research capability that will assist its members and companies to make successful deals in the future.

"The partnership will also be of considerable benefit to YCF through the guidance and additional administrative resource of Linc, allowing it to expand its research into early stage company finance."

Figures released last month showed that business angels in Scotland pumped a record 23.9 million into 104 early-stage companies last year, compared with the 19.4m given to 75 firms in 2009. Members of Linc provided 12.5m of last year's total.