British Business Bank has backed automated software firm JECO in the first investment through the Regional Angels Programme’s new co-investment platform.
West Yorkshire-based JECO, which develops automated toolsets designed for video game software developers and digital creatives, has secured a £960,000 investment led by Games Angels and featuring participation from British Business Bank.
The round marks the first deal from the £7m co-investment platform launched by British Business Bank, funded by its Regional Angels Programme and managed by Haatch.
“We are delighted to make this first co-investment with the Games Angels as part of the Regional Angels Programme,” said Mark Barry, senior investment director at British Business Bank.
“The investment into JECO aligns with our programme goals to strengthen the UK’s regional economy and, leverage investment potential into innovating entrepreneurs in key sectors.”
The Regional Angels Programme launched by British Business Bank in 2019 with the objective of addressing regional imbalances in access to early-stage equity finance. In April this year the bank selected venture capital group Haatch to manage a new co-investment fund.
“JECO was born out of the belief that if developers are given frictionless ways to improve and enhance their development processes, they can find quicker, cost effective routes to market, and can also start to play an important role in addressing wider environmental issues that may impact our industry in the future,” said JECO co-founder and chief executive Emily Bailey.
“Simon and I are incredibly grateful to all our investors for supporting us in our mission; to support developers in making positive behavioural changes through the power of technology.”