Beringea invests in leading primary research firm CognoLink

London, 3 December 2012 - International growth capital investor Beringea has provided an undisclosed amount of equity funding to CognoLink, a leading primary research firm. CognoLink specialises in providing expert network services, facilitating consultations between its clients and industry specialists who can deliver vital insights to support key investment decisions. The investment will be used to accelerate the company’s international expansion and to further develop new streams of business, with a focus on delivering innovative primary research solutions to investors.

Beringea’s investment was arranged by Stuart Veale, Managing Partner, who has joined the board of CognoLink. The funding has been provided by three of the Venture Capital Trusts managed by Beringea: ProVen VCT, ProVen Growth & Income VCT and ProVen Health VCT.

Commenting on the deal, Stuart Veale said “The use of expert networks and primary research to support investment decisions only started in the 1990’s but has now become embedded in the research processes of asset managers and consultancy firms, with a total market size this year approaching $500 million. CognoLink has established itself as one of the leading players in the sector and is very well positioned to continue its exceptional rate of expansion, supported by this investment from Beringea. I am looking forward to working with CognoLink’s management team during this exciting period”.

Emmanuel Tahar, Chief Executive, CognoLink, said “CognoLink has seen fantastic growth over the last five years, and this injection of capital from Beringea will allow us to execute on new initiatives, cementing our position as a leading provider of primary research. With a successful track record backing companies in the information services sector, Beringea will be an invaluable partner as we expand our global footprint and develop our platform of services.”

About CognoLink

CognoLink is a leading primary research firm focused on facilitating consultations between investors and leading industry specialists worldwide. With headquarters in London, and offices in Shanghai, New York, Hong Kong and New Delhi, its expert network is far-reaching and continually growing. Its clients are top business leaders, mostly active in financial investment and strategy consulting, who seek to develop insights and gather critical, sometimes niche information regarding investment decisions in international markets. For more information visit www.cognolink.com.

About Beringea

Beringea is an international growth capital firm with offices in London and Michigan, U.S.A, which invests in high growth companies. Beringea’s London office manages a number of funds, including the ProVen VCTs.

About the Proven VCTs

The ProVen VCTs (ProVen VCT, ProVen Growth & Income VCT, Proven Health VCT and ProVen Planned Exit VCT) are funds raised under the government’s Venture Capital Trust scheme for supporting UK SMEs. The original Ordinary share issues of ProVen VCT and ProVen Growth & Income VCT have generated higher Total Returns to investors than any other VCT share issues in their respective launch years, according to www.taxefficientreview.com.