Forward Partners Group PLC (LON:FWD) made a healthy start to life on AIM with shares in the venture capital firm trading at 110p compared to a 100p list price.
Tech investor Draper Esprit was a cornerstone backer taking £2mln of a placing ahead of the listing with fund manager Blackrock subscribing for £15mln.
In total, the placing was for 35mln new shares with 1.7mln additional shares sold through the Primary Bid platform.
Forward is focused on early-stage technology businesses and the money will be used for new investments and to support Forward Advances, the group's revenue-based financing business.
The portfolio comprises 46 businesses that are leveraging eCommerce, marketplace and applied artificial intelligence technology.