Midven Venture Capital Invests £50,000 In Student Services Start-Up UNI2

Midven Invests in Uni2

Investment to Expand Uni2’s Offering to UK Students

Birmingham, UK – 3 June 2014Uni2, a lifestyle business that encompasses every part of a university student’s experience, has received investment funding from venture capital firm Midven and private investors.

As well as publishing Uni2 Know magazine containing news, views and advice for students, Uni2 operate a student discount card, events and excursions, and lettings for the student market, which also incorporates cleaning and cooking services.

The investment, made through Midven’s Early Advantage fund, enabled Uni2 to open an office in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and will support the roll out of the Uni2 app, further developing the company’s reach throughout the West Midlands and beyond. Midven’s Aanisah Begg said that the UK student market has huge potential, with over 2.7 million higher education students with an annual spend of more than £15.5 billion.

Uni2 is a driving force for the student market, providing quality services and products to students. With unparalleled access to UK students, Uni2 has developed a portfolio of complementary brands comprising of:

  • Uni2 Know -a popular, controversial, sexy and innovative publication produced by students for students.
  • Uni2 Rent – a student letting agency offering competitive management services to landlords and providing students with a revolutionary approach to student lets. Via ‘Mum On Call,’ the service offers contents insurance, cleaning services, and cooked meals delivered to their door.
  • Uni2 Study -providing full concierge service to overseas students studying in the UK.
  • Uni2 Party -an exciting and highly-experienced events company, organising and hosting weekly events and party destinations throughout Europe.

Simon Jacobs, director of Uni2, commented that the company’s management team has a solid background in the educational sector and were strongly connected to their core audience.

Jacobs said, “In addition to the venture capital backing, Midven also brings advice and experience to help us grow the organisation to the next level.  We have already undertaken a number of changes as a result of this relationship and have a clear vision of where we want to get to, how we’re going to get there and we now have the funding in place to be able to do so.”

Midven’s Aanisah Begg said: “Uni2 has a young and passionate management team, which is very attuned to its core student audience, and they are operating in an exciting and growing sector with a great deal of untapped potential.”

About Uni2

Simon Jacobs founded Uni2 Know magazine in 2012 whilst still at university. Seeing the gap in the market for an innovative, student-oriented magazine, he recruited hard-working, talented and dedicated students to edit, write and design the publication. The first issue launched in March 2012 and since then Uni2 has developed into a large student lifestyle company with various offerings including student lettings, a savings card, events and excursions. For more information, please visit http://www.uni-2.co.uk or follow @ Uni2_Tweet on Twitter.

About Midven

Midven is the leading Midlands-based provider of venture capital funding to early-stage and established businesses. The Birmingham-based venture capital firm currently manages five funds representing a total of £74m under management. Midven’s £8m Early Advantage fund provides investment for small, high-growth businesses at start-up and early-stage in the West Midlands.

The Midven team has established a reputation for delivering solid commercial experience and creative business solutions to help their portfolio companies achieve exceptional outcomes.  For more information, please visit www.midven.co.uk or follow @Midven on Twitter.