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Silicon Valley Bank extends reach to technology SMEs

Representatives from Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) visited the Sci-Tech Daresbury campus as it extends its reach across the UK.

SVB, which was founded in Silicon Valley in the U.S where it lends to venture capital and private equity firms, is focused on technology companies, life science and clean tech industries.

After starting up in the UK eight years ago, the bank just received full banking licenses from the Financial Services Authority (FSA), and has started to roll out services up and down the country, and in Ireland.

Sci-Tech Daresbury is one of two National Science and Innovation Campuses, where SVB representatives attended a seminar which aimed to raise awareness of the bank’s offering to high-tech SME customers on site.

SVB’s head of origination, Oscar Jazdowski, led the seminar and explained how SMEs in the UK could make use of the bank.

He said: “As a sector-focused organisation, we are highly specialised in our approach, fast-paced, and consider our deep expertise, dedication to the innovation space and unrivalled network of relationship contacts around the world to be clear differentiators.

“We are really excited to host our first event in the north west and hope that it helps to further cement our relationships within the region.”

Business Development Manager at Sci-Tech Daresbury, John Leake, commented: “This event provided companies based on site and in our wider network with a really valuable opportunity to meet with key representatives from Silicon Valley Bank.

“In contrast to many traditional banking organisations, SVB is keen to work with high-risk high-quality SMEs and help them to develop.

“It’s encouraging that the bank has decided to broaden its base across the UK regions and that it recognises the importance of the North West as a centre for innovation, business and technology.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .