Venture Capital

Venture capital is ever more talked about these days, and there are ever more financial instruments available supposedly to help the growing business. But why is it that so many doors seem firmly closed when one wants to raise finance to start a publishing business. Is it publishing they don't like? Is it you they don't like? Is it your idea they are not so keen on?

John Brown was asked some years ago at a Total Publishing seminar 'How do you start a magazine in a country where one can't raise venture capital? And he said that, among other options, one could seek to license a successful foreign title as the start up costs would be much less, but then ended by asking what country that was, as it couldn't be Britain, because it was awash with money, and perhaps it was simply that the idea just wasn't very good.

If you ask a French banker, you may hear them say that to begin, you have to offer the banker a truffle. And even that presupposes that all bankers have the same tastes, which is definitely not the case.

The St James Partnership has provided the entire external funding for ventures in the past; acted also as one of a number of investors sourced by the entrepreneur; sourced investors for a fee; and co-invested with investors we have sourced. We are also perfectly content to provide a cost-effective advisory appraisal of startup, early stage, buyout and buyin funding ideas. Our sector expertise in sub £100m independent publishing businesses is unrivalled; our endorsement is a powerful aid to funding success; and our criticisms - always constructive, courteous and frank - are surely worth taking on board.

Many fortunes have been made in publishing; many have enriched themselves in every way but financial! It is not for the faint-hearted. And the publishing scene seems ever more crowded - but there will be the seeds of fortunes established this year, and why should not yours be one of them?

We look forward to hearing from you. All information will be treated in the greatest confidence.