Swansea-based technology firm Inngot has successfully secured a significant equity investment exceeding £1 million from Unilever Ventures, marking a major milestone for its innovative intellectual property (IP) platform. This substantial financial boost will fuel the company's ambitious marketing initiatives and expansion plans, aiming to revolutionise how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access finance.
Unlocking Hidden Value in Intellectual Property
Inngot has developed a sophisticated online platform dedicated to identifying and valuing intellectual property assets within businesses. This technology is already utilised and endorsed by several leading banking institutions across the United Kingdom. The core mission is to demonstrate to SMEs that their often-overlooked IP—such as patents, trademarks, and designs—can be leveraged as collateral to secure affordable debt financing.
Strategic Investment and Board Expansion
The investment from Unilever Ventures represents a powerful vote of confidence in Inngot's business model and growth potential. As part of this strategic partnership, John Coombs, the head of Unilever Ventures, will join Inngot's board of directors. He will be accompanied by the company's newly appointed chief financial officer, Andrew Frome, strengthening the leadership team as the firm prepares for its next phase of development.
The fresh capital will be strategically deployed to enhance market awareness, educating more business owners about the financial potential locked within their intellectual property. Furthermore, Inngot plans to establish new financing channels by partnering with additional lenders both within the UK and in international markets, broadening the availability of IP-backed loans.
Pioneering IP-Backed Finance with Major Banks
Inngot's platform is at the forefront of a growing movement to treat intellectual property as a mainstream asset class for securing business loans. For the past two years, the company has collaborated closely with NatWest to develop and operate a specialised IP-backed loan product aimed at scaling businesses.
The NatWest High Growth IP-Backed Loan
This innovative financial product targets companies based in England and Wales seeking loans starting from £250,000. A key advantage is that these loans generally do not require personal guarantees from directors. NatWest has confirmed it has already provided over £2 million through this scheme, with interest rates averaging less than 3% above the base rate. Inngot's online tools are integral to this process, providing the necessary valuation and validation reports that lenders rely upon.
Beyond NatWest, Inngot is actively engaged with several other UK banks, including HSBC, to develop similar lending products. The company also works with prestigious non-governmental organisations such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and various national development agencies, promoting the concept of 'bankable IP' as viable collateral for business growth.
Leadership Vision for the Intangible Asset Economy
Martin Brassell, chief executive and co-founder of Inngot, commented on the investment and the company's vision. "Innovation was needed to harness tangible assets to finance the industrial age. It's the same story in the information age – except that now, the most valuable assets are intangible," he stated.
Brassell added, "We are delighted to have secured this substantial vote of confidence in a challenging investment market, which will support our drive to raise awareness of IP finance and how we can help more growth businesses access it."
Company Background and Foundational Expertise
Inngot was established in 2007 by Martin Brassell and Professor Iwan Davies, a respected expert in finance law and former Vice-Chancellor of Bangor University. The company offers a suite of accessible and affordable online tools that enable businesses to:
- Systematically identify their intellectual property assets.
- Derive an indicative market value for these intangible assets.
- Generate standardised reports that communicate this value effectively to financial institutions.
These reports are becoming increasingly accepted by banks and other lenders as a valid form of collateral assessment within the loan application process. Headquartered in Swansea, Inngot also maintains an operational office in Abingdon, supporting its growing client base and partnerships across the country.
