What is Development Capital?
Development Capital is an Irish development and growth capital fund manager, founded back in 2013 by Andrew Bourg and Sinead Heaney. They focus on providing development and growth capital ranging from €2 million to €12 million to Irish SMEs. These are businesses with serious growth potential, especially those targeting export markets that need that extra funding boost to unlock or speed up their expansion. It’s not just about the money — it’s about partnering with management teams to help them realize their full growth potential.
Main Benefits and Key Figures
Here’s a quick snapshot of what makes Development Capital stand out:
- Founded in 2013 by Andrew Bourg and Sinead Heaney
- Development Capital Fund I: €75 million fund active from 2014 to 2019
- Invested in 9 Irish SME companies during that period
- Investment range: €2 million to €12 million per deal
- Typical investment term: 5 years
- Focus on minority stakes, allowing management teams to retain control
- Flexible investment structures: equity, quasi-equity, or debt
More Than Just Funding
Development Capital isn’t your typical investor. They bring a wealth of experience and market knowledge to the table, supporting SMEs beyond just the financial injection. Their approach is hands-on, working closely with management teams to maximize growth potential. Whether it’s organic growth, expanding production capacity, or even bolt-on acquisitions, they’re there to help navigate the journey. They also back management buyouts (MBOs), management buy-ins (MBIs), and shareholder restructurings, including partial or full exits. It’s all about partnership and shared success.
Flexible Investment Structures
One of the standout features of Development Capital is their flexibility. They understand that every business and growth opportunity is unique. So, they tailor their investment instruments to fit the specific needs of each company. Whether it’s equity, quasi-equity, or debt, they adapt to what works best. This flexibility means they can support a wide range of growth strategies and business models, making them a versatile partner for Irish SMEs looking to scale.
Supporting Ambitious Growth Strategies
Development Capital backs ambitious SME management teams who have identified significant growth opportunities but need funding to accelerate or unlock them. Beyond capital, they bring collective knowledge, experience, and ongoing support to help maximize growth potential. Their portfolio companies benefit from this active partnership, which helps turn growth plans into reality. Examples of supported strategies include organic growth, production capacity expansion, bolt-on acquisitions, MBOs/MBIs, and shareholder restructurings.
Development Capital’s Commitment to Responsible Investing
- Integrates ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) considerations into every investment stage
- Conducts ESG diligence before investing to identify potential risks and management actions
- Ongoing engagement with portfolio companies to manage ESG issues and share best practices
- Registered Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) with sustainability disclosures under EU SFDR regulations
- Belief that responsible investing drives value for portfolio companies and investors alike
Where to Find Development Capital
Development Capital is based in Dublin, Ireland, at Block 3, Miesian Plaza, Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. For those interested in learning more or getting in touch, they can be reached via email at information@developmentcapital.ie. As a registered AIFM under the European Union regulations, they maintain transparency and compliance with all relevant investment and sustainability standards.
