JPIN launches partnership with GC Angels to grow Manchester network
Leading global startup investment bank, JPIN, has announced a new strategic partnership with GC Angels to provide a direct partner in the North West Region for matters of deal flow and investment opportunities. This collaboration will assist in strengthening the Manchester–India pathway through innovation and investment, while simultaneously improving economic growth and boosting employment within the UK.
It has been apparent over the past year that the UK has significantly benefited from trade deals with India, with the trade and investment relationship between both economies already worth over £24 billion and supporting over half a million jobs across the UK. Now, research from Deloitte shows that the value of trade between India and the North West has hit over £1 billion, compared to £887 million in 2015. Between 2017 and 2020, India was the third most active investor in opportunities in Greater Manchester – right behind Germany and the US.
Outside of London, Manchester is the fastest growing city in the UK, with a brand new digital infrastructure that has reinvented itself into the ‘digital city’ of the UK. Through an emphasis on technology and the digital market, this has subsequently provided an ideal environment for Indian startups to thrive in. This is seen through Tech Mahindra and 42Gears – both Indian companies having successfully transitioned into Manchester and joining L&T Technology Services Ltd to form an emerging cluster of tech companies. In addition, startup activity in Manchester has attracted investments from the likes of Amazon, Google and Jaguar Land Rover, especially for businesses focusing on cyber security, big data and IoT – demonstrating that the Manchester–India partnership ultimately has the ability to produce valuable opportunities for businesses looking to expand.
Gaurav Singh, founder of JPIN, comments: “The UK is full of investors looking for startup investment opportunities and a chance to back the next unicorn or decacorn; this extends well beyond London, which is why this collaboration is so key. It will also allow an increased number of startups and investors to participate in the UK-India growth story as well as open up new regional markets in the UK for the Indian startups.”
“Early-stage businesses can often struggle with getting adequate support, resources, and funding. At JPIN, we are always looking to back the next generation of decacorns ($10Bn+ valuation) that are looking to change the world, and we are excited to be collaborating with GC Angels, the leading investor for early-stage businesses in Manchester, as this move further solidifies rapidly expanding investment corridor between the UK and India.”
Nayan Gala, founder of JPIN, comments: “India is one of the world’s largest economies and presents huge potential as a key partner for trade and investment for the UK. India is a 21st-century powerhouse and creating a strong UK-India pathway of innovation and investment will help to fuel economic recovery in a post-Brexit, post-Covid UK. In the last year, we have seen the value of the UK and India’s cross-collaboration through the investment corridor, and our collaboration with GC Angels will only help strengthen this by providing startups in the North West with a timely injection of resources and funds that can assist with business growth.”
Jessica Jackson, head of investment at GC Angels, comments: “At GC Angels, we are excited for this strategic collaboration with JPIN, who have already made a name for themselves as the largest startup investment bank for the emerging markets between the UK and India. Our mission at GC Angels has always been to increase enablement and market access for early-stage businesses by providing them with the appropriate support and resources and working with JPIN will provide a stronger investment pathway between startups in the North West and India – one of the leading startup ecosystems in the world.”
Shehla Hasan, executive director at the Manchester India Partnership, comments: “2022 is a watershed year in the UK-India relationship as both countries have kickstarted negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement. The new partnership between GCA and JPIN only underscores the fact that there is immense potential for the two countries to work together. India and the UK are ideal partners in the start-up ecosystem. India has shown phenomenal growth in the number of start-ups adding 45 new unicorns in 2021 alone. This demonstrates the scale of potential this partnership will work on. I wish the partners the very best and the Manchester India Partnership will be more than happy to support collaborations related to deal flow and investment opportunities.”
