Portfolio
Ventures in which shareholder
or stakeholder positions are held
Novo works closely with each venture in our portfolio, whether we are an equity holder in the business or not. Our hands-on support combines the practical know-how of running organisations and developing teams from the ground up alongside an extensive track record in corporate and venture finance.
Our mission is to provide an end-to-end support framework for each venture we work with. We achieve this through becoming a growth partner to the organisation, working alongside management to drive growth and build long-term value for all shareholders.
Novo Training aims to provide young people with an opportunity to gain the requisite skills to help them achieve their career aspirations or progress into further learning.
The team are passionate and proud about their track record in supporting 16-24 year olds, many from disadvantaged or troubled backgrounds, in breaking through ‘glass ceilings’ by helping learners to realise what they are capable of, and how to build their futures.
Often the positive outcomes of our programmes go beyond the career or educational ambitions of our learners, they can also help to build solid foundations in their personal as well as professional lives.
Established in 2011, 3Spirit was developed from grass roots front line practice to support Care organisations and Care professionals in tackling the key staffing based challenges faced by the sector.
The team is made up of dedicated and passionate group of professionals from a range of backgrounds including occupational therapy, social work and nursing who are each committed to raising quality and safety standards within the wider Care sector. The expertise and experience of the ‘3Spirit family’ is further enhanced by our network of specialist trainers across the UK which enable us to provide a wider depth of targeted programmes, delivered regionally/on site where required.
Pavilion Training, founded in 2016 in the North West, is a training provider focused on supporting young people in developing their employability skills and securing full-time employment and apprenticeships. Pavilion in Matrix accredited and has a stellar track record in delivering cross-sector traineeship programmes.
Novo acquired Pavilion (100% shareholding) in 2022 to support our growth and build our reach within the employability skills sector.
Founded in 2016 by Novo directors Taj Heer and Talon Golding, Bright Minds Daycare was a leading independent nursery group in the Midlands, focused on the development, learning and individuality of aspiring young minds through their formative early years.
Novo Ventures supported the business in becoming one of the most highly rated (through parent reviews on daynurseries.co.uk) nursery groups in the region.
The group of 4 large nurseries was successfully sold to N Family Club in 2021.
Iek has 25 years’ experience in the investment banking industry, working in London, Singapore, New York and Los Angeles, and is the Director of Strand Ventures, a division of Strand Hanson – one of London’s most well established advisory boutiques. Iek has a extensive range of sector and transaction experience having previously worked for Silverwind Securities, Libertas Capital and various equity capital market roles including at HSBC and Merrill Lynch. His expertise spans all entry points of equity (private and public), debt and hybrid capital structures coupled with detailed insights in organisational growth and development.
Taj is a commercially focused, practical MBA; having a 25 year track record of growth, turnaround, and financing whilst operating as an executive in VC/PE environments, coupled with advisor and funding lead for multiple EIS ventures across energy, renewables, biotech and technology platforms. Taj has also led and been directly involved in trade sales and IPOs for PE owned businesses. Alongside Talon, Taj founded, co-managed and exited an award-winning multi-million pound nursery group in the West Midlands, Bright Minds Daycare, which was backed by Guinness Asset Management (EIS Fund).
Talon is an experienced VC/PE executive and entrepreneur with a focus on capital raising and implementing targeted growth strategies for early stage enterprise. Talon has raised over £50m in early stage equity finance and has 15 years’ VC/PE experience, coupled with hands-on strategic and operational venture development expertise. Prior to co-founding Novo, Talon worked at Mercia Fund Management as Head of Sales & IR, being responsible for the launch and investor-side operations of all EIS funds. After the successful exit of Bright Minds, Taj and Talon further created a training provider group (organic and acquisition) which sits in the portfolio.
Joe brings over a decade of experience in strategic leadership within the FE sector. In 2019, Joe won a silver award as National Business Person of the Year at the SME Business Awards at Wembley Stadium and won Business Person of the Year at the Blackmore Vale Awards on the south coast. He sits as a secondary school governor with a focus on careers, on the board of WESPA (World Elite Sports Performance Academy), delivering world-class performance training to young athletes, along with various NED roles within the FE sector.
Combining FTSE100 financial services experience and years working for a leading venture development consultancy, Will is well versed in the art of stakeholder communication and harbours a thorough appreciation of the requirements and rationale behind investor decision making.
Operating primarily on the founder side of the fundraising process, Will has assisted over 30 early stage ventures (ranging from pre-seed to Series C) with their respective funding rounds and supported numerous more regarding their commercial strategy and investor readiness. Furthermore, Will has built an extensive network of UK and international HNW and institutional investors, working across venture transactions from £100k up to £10m. This combined experience and network ensure Will is perfectly positioned to support Novo’s clients in the role of Venture Director.
Will comments “It is too often we see founders and startups being advised by individuals that haven’t been through the process themselves so I’m excited to join a firm that prides itself on a strong entrepreneurial backbone.”
“Operating on the apex of innovation and funding, I’m looking forwards to playing a pivotal role in the facilitation of capital for some of the West Midlands most exciting companies”.
Georgia is a skilled Marketing Manager with over five years’ experience in various B2B and B2C sectors including early years, technology, accountancy, legal and retail. She holds a 2:1 in BA Advertising and Digital Marketing; her expertise consists of strategic marketing plans, social media management, Google Ads and paid social campaigns, content creation and website optimisation. Georgia implements innovative marketing and branding strategies that increase sales, drive brand awareness, and solidify customer relationships across both the Group and our venture clients.
Simon joined Novo to support our accounts team across the portfolio and is currently completing his Level 4 Apprenticeship in Finance & Accounting with Novo. Simon currently holds an AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Accounting.
Kayla is ambitious and goal oriented. With her passion for helping others and her determination to make a difference, Kayla has joined Novo to help inspire individuals and get them on to the right track into reaching their ultimate goals. Kayla is currently undertaking a level 4 sales executive lead apprenticeship and wishes to continuously further her skills and experience alongside the team.
Novo Ventures Limited. Company No: 09924740. Registered address: 16-17 Newhall Hill, Birmingham, B1 3JH
