SGM.L Regulatory News (SGM)

11 Feb 2008 07:01

Sigma Capital Group PLC11 February 2008 SGM11 February 2008 SIGMA CAPITAL GROUP PLC ("Sigma") Announces Sale of Two Portfolio Companies Sigma, the specialist asset manager, whose activities span venture capital fundmanagement, university IP commercialisation and property investment, is pleasedto announce the sale of two portfolio companies, Trisent Communcations Limited("Trisent") and Pentland Systems Limited ("Pentland"). Trisent provides mobile network operators with mobile phone location technologywhich does not rely on Global Positioning System. Trisent is an investee companyof Sigma Innovation Fund (East of Scotland). Established by Sigma in November2003, this venture capital fund invests in Scottish companies from fundsprovided by Bank of Scotland, the European Regional Development Fund, ScottishEnterprise Fife as well as Sigma itself. The entire share capital of Trisent hasbeen sold to Artilium plc, the AIM-quoted mobile telecommunications business,for £1.7 million in a combination of cash and shares at £1 each. Gordon Povey, Managing Director of Trisent said: "The original investment by Sigma in 2005 allowed us to spin-out Trisent andaccelerate the development of our Tri-Cell technology. We have been delightedwith our productive and supportive relationship with Sigma and now look forwardto the next stage of our development with Artilium." Pentland designs and produces high performance signal acquisition products forradar, communications and signal intelligence applications. Pentland is aninvestee company of Sigma Technology Venture Fund. Established by Sigma in April2002, the Sigma Technology Venture Fund invests in technology companiesthroughout the UK, from funds provided by Bank of Scotland, Scottish WidowsInvestment Partnership as well as Sigma. The business and assets of Pentlandhave been sold to two subsidiaries of Curtiss-Wright Corporation plc, the globalcomponents manufacturer, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, at asale price of $2.3 million in cash. Steve Dunn, Managing Director of Pentland said: "We were delighted to work with Sigma and their support was critical in the runup to this acquisition." Enquiries Company website: www.sigmacapital.co.uk Sigma Capital Group plc Mark Hogarth, Investment Director T: 0131 220 9444 Graham Barnet, Chief Executive Biddicks Katie Tzouliadis T: 020 7448 1000 Arbuthnot Securities Tom Griffiths/ Neil Kirton T: 020 7012 2000 About Sigma Capital Group plc Founded in 1997 and based in Edinburgh, Sigma Capital Group plc is anAIM-quoted, specialist asset management and advisory group. Sigma focuses onspecialist fund management, commercialisation of University IP and propertyinvestment. Sigma now manages (and is an investor) in four funds, the Sigma TechnologyVenture Fund, the Sigma Innovation Fund (East of Scotland), the SigmaSustainable Energies Fund and the Sigma Sustainable Energy Fund II. Sigma Innovation Fund (East of Scotland) The Sigma Innovation Fund invests in Scottish companies from funds provided byBank of Scotland, the European Regional Development Fund, Scottish EnterpriseFife and Sigma. The £6 million fund was established November 2003. It invests up to £300,000per investment, in high growth, innovative Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises(SMEs) with principle place of business in the East of Scotland and is able toprovide a mixture of debt and equity packages. The companies will generally beat early or development stage, and should also be able to demonstrate a capacityfor high growth and job creation. Sigma Technology Venture Fund The Sigma Technology Venture Fund invests in technology companies throughout theUK, from funds provided by Bank of Scotland, Scottish Widows InvestmentPartnership and Sigma. The £17 million fund was established in April 2002. It invests between £300,000and £2.5 million per investment, in high-growth, development stage companies andis able to provide a mixture of debt and equity packages. This fund is nowclosed to new investments. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange