19th February 2019

Leicestershire HR software firm secures £250k MEIF investment

A Leicestershire company responsible for developing the first multi-channel online and offline HR software platform has secured £250,000 investment from the MEIF Proof of Concept & Early Stage Fund, managed by Mercia and part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund

Through its platform, StaffCircle helps its clients improve communication and feedback between employees in different location, providing them with easy access to training, tasks and contacts within the company. The equity investment is to allow the company to create five new jobs, add further software features and launch a sales and marketing campaign.

StaffCircle’s software breaches the ‘digital divide’ between office-based staff and those working at home or on site - who often miss out on official communications - by operating across multiple channels which do not rely on employees having access to the internet or email. The company has already agreed deals with a number of software resellers

StaffCircle was founded in March 2017 by Mark Seemann, an expert in communications and business workflow systems, who has previously built and sold three successful software businesses.

Mark Seemann, the CEO, said: “Poor communications causes low morale and productivity, but is common within companies that have employees working from multiple sites. StaffCircle allows communications to flow through any device in any location, helping to empower and engage staff. This funding will allow us to further enhance the product and build our client base.”

David Baker, Investment Associate with Mercia Fund Managers, said: “With the growing trend for remote working, Mark and his team have created a unique platform that solves a real problem for employers. This investment will help them to establish StaffCircle’s position within the UK market with a view to overseas expansion in the long term.”

Ken Cooper, MD at the British Business Bank, added:

“ The Midlands Engine Investment Fund is there to support innovative growing companies like StaffCircle. The fund has money to deploy and our managers are actively looking for Midlands companies to support.”

Kevin Harris, Chair of the Leicester and Leicestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said:

"Leicestershire is a hub of technological advancement, and StaffCircle is a great example of the kind of innovation we seek to encourage at the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP). I'm very pleased that StaffCircle has secured funding from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund, which will help secure its growth over the coming years."

Mike Jackson and Charlotte Cannell of Browne Jacobson in Birmingham provided legal advice to Mercia on the deal.

The Midlands Engine Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.