Client profile: Imaginet

Business

Nigel Roberts and his partners founded Imaginet in 1995, working from a bedroom in Newport. The web solutions company now employs 22 people.

Funding needs

Nigel found that as a software company that didn’t make anything, or have tangible assets such as machinery, banks were reluctant to lend the money needed to help the business grow. An independent valuation of the company’s registered trade mark was made.Within days a verbal indicative of £60,000 was given. A final value of £68,000 was agreed on the trade mark a few weeks later. This asset was then used as loan security.

Result

Nigel accessed funds from his pension with a SSAS, using the intellectual property from his business. He has since accessed the funds two further times.

Going Forward

Imaginet continues to expand and in 2013 won the Online Retail Award for Agency of the Year. Nigel’s most recent use of pension-led funding enabled him to secure a £60,000 matched- funding grant from the Welsh Assembly’s Digital Development Fund. The money will be used to help the company adapt its services for use by mobile devices.

2021 Update

Imaginet has establised a niche position for itself in the transport sector. Initially focussed on building Smartcard portals for private operators and transport authorities. Imaginet have now expanded our offerings to include highly functional transport apps which include journey planning, ticket buying and live travel updates.

“Pension-led funding has helped to secure the stability of the business and support research and development. Sometimes project slippages impact cash flow and having access to funds to ensure that lean periods are covered makes it easier to stick with predetermined plans and goals.”

“Imaginet has received additional funding and has found the process to be as easy as with previous loans. The SASS has always been to most reliable way to obtain funding for the business whilst at the same time adding value to the pension fund.” Nigel said.