Vision Nine: Boardmasters' founder Vision Nine receives £5m investment boost

Event operator Vision Nine plans to create new festivals, tours and shows after receiving £5 million in financing through the Government-backed Enterprise Investment Scheme.Vision Nine founded and operates Newquay music, surf and skate festival Boardmasters and also owns the NASS and The Freeze festival events, as well as promoting theatrical productions and touring shows.Its expansion is being led by MAMA Group co-founders Adam Driscoll and Philip Murphy, alongside Vision Nine Group directors Julian and Andrew Topham."This new funding will allow us to take our IP into international markets, as well as helping us to capitalise on the many opportunities that are available to us. We are aiming to deliver substantial growth in the next few years," said Driscoll. Co-CEO Julian Topham added: "Alongside our existing events we are developing new entertainment plans with significant opportunity for growth. We are aiming to launch two new ventures shortly that we believe will be groundbreaking formats."Investment and advisory group Ingenious led the funding initiative and has also been appointed as the company's advisor."Our live events team has invested over £100 million into the live sector on behalf of our clients," said Ingenious senior investment director Paul Bedford, who has joined the Vision Nine board as group finance director. "We are delighted to add our proven experience of structuring, promoting and managing investment opportunities across the entertainment industry."