SEGF invested in companies at any stage of development, from Seed to Management Buy Out, and across a broad range of sectors. Although the amounts invested were relatively small, companies needed to demonstrate an ability to become cash-generative without further rounds of non-SEGF funding.

SEGF is supported by the former Department of Trade and Industry (DTi), now BERR and therefore conforms to their investment criteria for Regional Venture Capital Funds. Investee companies had to therefore:

• Be classed as an SME This means that companies at the time of investment had to have fewer than 250 employees, a turnover of less than €40m and an annual balance sheet of less than €25m.

• Be unquoted on any exchange

• Principally operate in the South East of England as defined by the DTi The exclusive area of operation is as follows:

• Not fall into any DTi restricted sectors SEGF can invest in most sectors, however there are a few restricted sectors such as banking, insurance, agriculture and property development amongst others.  Companies interested in applying to SEGF may contact the fund directly to determine whether or not they fall within a restricted sector.

• Have not previously received funding from a recognized institutional venture capital fund  We may invest either after or alongside angels, angel networks, corporate venturers and certain seed funds. We may also invest alongside other venture capital funds in certain circumstances during subsequent funding rounds.