THE Southampton office of investment capital firm 3i has committed more than £50 million of funds in the last 12 months.

"Despite the uncertain economic conditions over the last 12 months, we have had an exceptional year, with near record levels of investment,'' said Southampton director Clive Moody. "The South Coast market has remained active and 3i has continued to see a large proportion of those companies looking to attract external funding."

Mr Moody said that figures confirm that the office committed investment (including co-investment funds) totalling £51.6 million in 26 independent businesses, bringing the value of its managed port-folio to £201.5 million in 119 businesses.

Investment highlights during the year included the £38.3 million institutional buy-out at Eurotel Telecom Group, where in addition to providing funding, 3i also helped source the management team by introducing three new managers, as well as the chairman and non-executive director.

The company also increased its focus on technology, with committed investment of £23 million (including co-investment funds) in ten companies during the year.

Examples include the £1 million investment in EQOS Systems, to sup-port the development of the company's Internet software; and the £2 million investment by a consortium of investors in Southampton-based Multicosm, the hypermedia software company.

In the UK and internationally, 3i invested £1,146.6 million, including £309.7 million of co-investment funds, in 654 firms in the 12 months to 31 March 1999. Of this, £291.2 million (including co-investment funds) was invested in 240 technology busi-nesses.

3i's portfolio at 31 March 1999 consisted of investments in over 3,000 businesses, with a combined valuation of £4,557 million.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.