KMP Digitata Receive £515k Investment for AeroParker

The North West Fund invests £515k in KMP Digitata airport pre-book parking system - AeroParker


KMP Digitata, the Stockport-based digital agency, has received a £515,000 investment from The North West Fund to commercialise its proprietary software AeroParker throughout the UK, continental Europe and the US.

AeroParker is trusted mobile and online software incorporating an industry-leading airport pre book and pay ecommerce system with proven results in generating real return on investment in increasing non-aeronautical revenue for airport clients since 2000.

Today AeroParker gives an airport a “Virtual Terminal” for passengers to buy more than just airport pre book parking before they fly. AeroParker allows cross selling of lounges, car parking, fast track security and many other products all in one seamless transaction.

AeroParker is already in use at five UK airports with further white label products being used by Monarch, Premier Inn and BMI Baby.

The funding, which is provided jointly by the European Regional Development Fund and the European Investment Bank, will allow KMP to step up marketing and customer acquisition plans for AeroParker, significantly grow its sales, development and support team in the North West and expand sales into Europe and the US whilst underpinning innovation and further development of the software.

The deal sees the KMP Digitata board extended. Joining current directors namely CEO Jon Keefe, Gerard Daring, Alan Daring and Rhodri Edwards will be Rod Hyde ex CEO of Hasgrove plc who joins as Non Executive Chair. Andrew Cornish ex Manchester Airports Group Managing Director and Darren Payne ex head of parking at Gatwick Airport also both join in non executive roles and bring extra industry and product expertise and experience.  

Jon Keefe CEO and co-founder of KMP Digitata said “This investment represents a step change for KMP. We are thrilled to secure the finance which will drive significant growth for KMP. Moreover the AeroParker product will create further opportunities to sell our specialist digital marketing services and expertise to airports in Europe and the US.”

Press contacts:

For The North West Fund please contact:

Lizzie Dibble

T: 01925 443 767   

M: 07841 204 374

E: lizzie.dibble@thenorthwestfund.co.uk 

 

For KMP Digitata please contact:

CEO: Jon Keefe

M: 0161 429 1497

E: jon.keefe@kmp.co.uk

W: www.aeroparker.co.uk

About KMP Digitata

KMP Digitata was co founded in 1991 by Jon Keefe the current CEO, as a traditional marketing consultancy.  Quickly realising the importance of the Internet, KMP has specialised in Digital Marketing since 1994 and has over 19 years experience serving corporate clients in:-

• Design & build of digital systems online and mobile
• Digital strategy development
• Digital marketing
• 24/7 facilities management.
• Software design and development

KMP developed AeroParker in 2000 as specialist software for increasing non aeronautical revenues for airports.

The North West Fund

The North West Fund is a substantial evergreen investment fund established to provide debt and equity funding (from £50,000 to £2 million) to small and medium sized enterprises based in, or relocating to, the North West of England. The North West Fund addresses an identified gap in the lending, venture capital and private equity markets. It is one of the largest public sector funds of its kind in Europe and the largest in the UK.

The North West Fund is financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) under the European Commission's Joint European Resources for Micro to Medium Enterprises Initiative – otherwise known as the JEREMIE programme.

The North West Fund is the umbrella name for the six funds that are available to businesses in the form of debt, equity and quasi-equity. These funds are managed by five fund managers under contract with North West Business Finance Limited (NWBF), which has been established to oversee the delivery of The North West Fund.  Initially, £150m has been allocated to the fund managers, as outlined below, with a further £5m to be allocated in due course:

 

Fund manager	Name of fund	Fund committed
Enterprise Ventures Ltd	Mezzanine	£15m
FW Capital Ltd	Loans Plus	£45m
Enterprise Ventures Ltd	Venture Capital	£30m
Spark Impact Ltd	Biomedical	£25m
CT Investment Partners LLP	Energy & Environmental	£20m
AXM Venture Capital Ltd	Digital & Creative	£15m
Funding to be allocated in due course		£5m
Total		£155m

 

Each fund manager has a mandate to invest their allocation into the specific product or sector they manage, until 31st December 2015. NWBF is a private, not for profit company, established to oversee the delivery of The North West Fund.

Between December 2010 and October 2013 The North West Fund has invested over £68m in more than 220 businesses. Further funding has also been earmarked to support these businesses as they grow and many more new investments are planned over 2013 and the years ahead to 2015.

For further information please visit www.thenorthwestfund.co.uk

European structure, JEREMIE

The JEREMIE initiative offers EU Member States, through their national or regional Managing Authorities, the opportunity to use part of their European Union (EU) Structural Funds to finance small and medium-sized enterprises by means of equity, loans or guarantees, through a revolving umbrella fund. The initiative was developed by the European Commission and the European Investment Fund, which is part of the European Investment Bank Group.

JEREMIE provides for a range of debt and equity financial tools to obtain the most appropriate allocation of funds according to national, regional or local requirements.

ERDF in the Northwest

ERDF is making a real difference to people and businesses in the North West. With €755 million to invest between 2007 and 2013, ERDF is enhancing the competitiveness of the region’s economy by supporting growth in enterprise and employment.

ERDF in the North West is managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government – for further information visit https://www.gov.uk/browse/business/funding-debt/european-regional-development-funding.

EIB

The EIB is the European Union’s long-term financing institution and, provides long-term finance for capital projects promoting European economic objectives. The EIB made its first loan in the UK in 1973 and since then has lent around €75bn for investment in the UK economy. In the years from 2004 to 2009, the EIB financed investment in the UK totalling some € 23.5bn - GBP 17.5 billion.