Technology

Among technology businesses there is increasing demand for our quality specialist services such as Tax, Forensic Services and Valuation. Backed by our international network we can work on a global scale. Through this network we are working with an increasing number of overseas companies investing in the UK. Many are coming from the US, which has allowed us to increase our expertise in areas such as US GAAP, Sarbanes-Oxley and Section 404. We’ve also stepped up our secondment program, focusing on our US firm to strengthen our international links.

We have relevant services for technology businesses of all sizes. For example we have helped many entrepreneurial businesses make the journey to their first listing. We recently acted for Eleksen, who produce conductive smart fabric, as reporting accountants during a reverse takeover into an AIM cash shell called Bora Communications. We have the resources to meet the needs of larger listed clients such as Dicom Group Plc, and Parity, whom appointed us as auditors following the high quality of our tax work.

Taking IP2IPO from IPO to IP Group

IP2IPO was a great idea that’s just kept on growing. It was formed to invest in spin-out companies from universities – bringing new technologies into the commercial world and helping academia to capitalise on its intellectual property. The idea was to fund fledgling companies privately and help them float on AIM to raise public funding.

“We’ve worked with them for a couple of years,” says Partner Stuart Lisle, “since winning their audit and tax work. As they’ve grown, we’ve provided a wider range of services on a national scale.” The company was itself AIM-listed – and last year we helped it step up to a full Stock Exchange listing, changing its name to IP Group in the process.

“Because we’re helping smaller companies to raise funding and grow, it’s important to be seen as well run and well advised ourselves,” says Will Turner of IP Group.

“Our relationship with BDO gives us access to a tremendous breadth of resources and expertise – which we’re using as we grow and broaden our own activities. Importantly, the firm has a refreshingly open, hands-on culture that mirrors the entrepreneurial people in our own organisation and those we support.”