Written question asked by Julie Kirkbride (Conservative) on Monday, 1 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 March 2010. It was answered by Pat McFadden (Labour) on Friday, 5 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

UK Innovation Investment Fund

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills when he expects the first funding to be disbursed from the UK innovation investment fund.

Answer: The UK Innovation Investment Fund brings together public and private sector finance to back the best of British Innovation. The fund has appointed two managers, Hermes Private Equity and the European Investment Fund. There is a total pool of capital of £325 million. £200 million will be invested through the EIF's UK Future Technologies Fund in areas such as ICT, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. £125 million through the Hermes Environmental Innovation Fund will specialise in cleantech and low carbon. We expect these two funds to begin investing over the next few months.

Secondary information