A selection of Europe’s fast growing enterprises that anounced fund raising plans this month

Belgium-based Escaux is a pioneer in voice over IP, with the industry’s first field-proven, open source-based enterprise communications solutions. Its business model is based on delivering the service and support for an enterprise-grade edition of the open source based code. Escaux is hoping to remove the barriers that have prevented rapid and pervasive deployment of enterprise voice over IP whilst also delivering freedom from vendor technology lock-ins. The company received its first venture round of €2m in late June and on the 9th of July Escaux's chief executive, Christophe Hendrix, informed Library House that the company will be looking to raise €5-10m in early 2009 in order to fund international expansion.

Ocutec is a UK-based medical device company that has invented an advanced material and manufacturing platform based on a new class of thermoplastic hydrogel polymers. These hydrogels have application in contact lenses, cutting costs to the equivalent of 5 cents per lens, allowing the company to exploit the $5bn contact lens market. The materials also have superior gas transport and controlled release properties, compared to conventional materials. In late June 2008, Dr Caroline Stretton, the company's quality director, revealed that the company was looking to close an investment round in July of €900k, with future plans to raise between €1.25m and €6m in 2009, to take the product into full production and for sales and marketing.

Established in 2000, the France based firm MCE-5 Development, develops engine blocks which should help facilitate the mass production of Variable Compression Ratio (VCR) engines. VCR engines are regarded as a key technology in enabling future combustion engines to substantially increase fuel efficiency, whilst maintaining power and performance. The company, which has raised a total of €27m from a mixture of private individuals and governmental institutions, is looking to close a final investment round this July of €3-4m. MCE-5 Development has also been nominated as a candidate for Library House’s European Cleantech 100, to be announced in early September.

A smaller enterprise, Diet Freedom, claims to be the UK’s first, one-stop online health and diet solution, offering a combination of member services, expertise and advice. The company places particular emphasis on encouraging customers to adopt a low GL (glycaemic load) diet. The website also offers a platform for the company to sell a new, natural syrup sweetener made from 100% fruit, called Sweet Freedom. The company received a €430k investment from Stargate Capital Investment Group in Q4 2007 and is now seeking in the order of €200k to market itself more widely.

Library House has been commissioned by Merrill DataSite to examine the awareness and knowledge of Virtual Data Rooms in the European VC and Institutional investor community. Merrill DataSite is the leading global provider of turnkey VDR solutions. Merrill DataSite has hosted virtual data rooms for thousands of clients and millions of visitors, representing transactions totalling multiple billions of dollars in asset value.


Library House has constructed a short survey aimed at privately held companies, investment firms, LPs and large corporations. The survey should take you no longer than 10 minutes to complete, but should supply an insight into Virtual Data Room usage.


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Please follow this link: VDR Survey

Silex Microsystems, the Sweden-based manufacturer of Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), has raised $25m (€16m) from new investors Northzone Ventures and Priveq Investment and existing investor, CapMan Group. Silex Microsystems develops Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) in chip form, for life science, telecoms, consumer electronics and industrial applications. The funding will be used to construct a new production line that will expand manufacturing capacity. The company states that it is ready to IPO, but cites the current market climate as the reason for continued development as a privately held company.

SuppreMol, the Germany-based biotechnology company, has raised £12.5m (€15.7m) from new investors MIG, BioMed Invest and Santo Holding, and existing investors Z-Cube, kfw Mittelstandsbank, Bayern Kapital and Max Plank Society. SuppreMol is developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The funding will be used to advance SuppreMol's lead product, SM101, to proof-of-concept in humans. SM101 is being developed to treat idopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a serious bleeding condition.

Monte Cristo Multimedia, the France-based developer of PC and console video games, has raised £3.6m (€4.5m) previous investor 360 Capital Partners and news investors, Arts Alliance and Innoven Partenaires. Monte Cristo Multimedia has developed and produced a catalogue of 30 games, including Wall Street Trader and the Fire Department series. The funding will be used to develop CITIES XL, a project that merges traditional video gaming with social networking and virtual worlds.

More companies' intelligence at www.libraryhouse.net

Kajaani Process Measurements, the Finland-based provider of measurement applications to the pulp and paper industry, has been acquired by Cardo for an undisclosed amount. Kajaani Process Measurements develops, manufactures and markets advanced equipment to the pulp and paper industry. The acquisition will enable Cardo to strengthen its position as a provider of measurement applications to the pulp and paper industry and to add products and skills to its on-line pulp measurement offerings. The acquisition will be realised at an enterprise value of approximately £3m (€3.8m) and is expected to have a marginally positive effect on Cardo's 2008 earnings.

Orgenium Laboratories, the Finland-based biotechnology company, has been acquired by Ani Biotech for an undisclosed amount. Orgenium Laboratories has developed two product lines: CliniKit ELISA for in vitro diagnosis of infectious diseases and AviBion research for quantitative determination of cytokines and growth factors. The acquisition will see the Orgenium brand, IPR, business and production activities transferred to Ani Biotech's facilities in Vantaa. Orgenium Laboratories will operate as a separate business unit of Ani Biotech.

More companies' intelligence at www.libraryhouse.net

Mirifice, the UK-based solution provider to the broadcasting industry, has appointed Keith Monserrat as chief executive. Prior to joining the company, Mr Monserrat held the position of group managing director for strategy, communications and policy at Virgin Media. Before that, Mr Monserrat held numerous senior executive positions at companies including Thus, Sigma Technology and Kingston Comminications. Mr Monserrat originally joined the Mirifice as a non-executive director in March 2008.

Concentrix Solar, the Germany-based concentrator power plant producer, has appointed Holger Janke as chief financial officer. Prior to joining the company, Mr Janke held the position of head of commercial services for the energy division of Lahmeyer International. Before that, Mr Janke held a variety of positions in the field of power plant construction, working for companies including ABB and ALSTOM.

Cordys, the Netherlands-based provider of business process management solutions, has appointed Mark De Simone as chief sales and business development officer. Prior to joining the company, Mr De Simone served as vice president, Middle East and Africa at Cisco Systems, a position he held since 2004. Mr De Simone held a number of senior positions at Cisco Systems including, vice president of market development, channels, alliances and corporate marketing at Cisco Systems EMEA, and vice president of technology solutions and corporate marketing. Before that, Mr De Simone held a variety of executive positions, working for companies including: Storm Telecommunications, AduroNet, two advanced services telecommunications operators in Europe, Lucent Technologies, 3COM-US Robotics and General Electric.

More companies' intelligence at www.libraryhouse.net

Boulders, the UK-based indoor climbing centre developer, has revealed to Library House that the company is currently considering raising additional funding. Mr Robert Lawrence, Boulders' chief executive, informed Library House that the company will open its first indoor climbing centre in Cardiff on 30th August 2008, and, depending on the success of its first centre, plans to raise further funding in order to open additional sites across the UK.

Kinamik, the Spain-based provider of secure data software for enterprises, has informed Library House that the company is currently looking for funding. Mr Christophe Primault, Kinamik's chief executive, revealed to Library House that the company is seeking €1m. Mr Primault went on to state that the company intends to raise an additional round of funding in Q2 2009, and will seek a further €2m.

More companies' intelligence at www.libraryhouse.net