Fair Aim Capital, a newly established family-backed investment firm, has announced the launch of its £30 million fund. This fund is designed to acquire and transform UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by strategically implementing artificial intelligence (AI) and optimizing digital marketing.
This initiative addresses a notable gap in the UK market. Research from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicates that 68% of UK SMEs currently do not utilize artificial intelligence technologies, and 69% have no plans to implement such technologies in the next three months. This oversight is critical, considering that SMEs account for 99.8% of all UK businesses and employ 60% of private sector workers.
Fair Aim Capital will focus on profitable UK businesses generating between £1 million and £3 million in EBITDA. The firm aims to acquire majority stakes and collaborate closely with existing management teams to implement AI-driven operating models that accelerate revenue growth. The firm plans to invest in 3 to 5 assets over the next 3 to 4 years, positioning itself as a transformation partner rather than a traditional financial investor. The target exit horizon for these investments is projected to be 3 to 5 years.
The fund will focus on the business services and professional services sectors, where AI applications can yield immediate improvements in customer acquisition, customer experience, and operational efficiency.
KEY QUOTES:
“We’re witnessing a concerning divergence in the UK economy. Large enterprises are investing heavily in AI transformation and pulling ahead, whilst the backbone of our economy, SMEs that employ three in five workers, risk being permanently left behind. This isn’t about lacking ambition; it’s about lacking the capital, expertise, and bandwidth to execute meaningful change.”
“The window for transformation is closing rapidly. SMEs that act decisively in the next 12-18 months will establish competitive advantages that compound for years.”
Andrew Harkness, CEO of Fair Aim Capital
“AI transformation isn’t about replacing people, it’s about freeing talented teams to focus on creativity, strategy, and high-value client work that drives revenue acceleration. AI-enabled businesses will command premium valuations compared to traditional operations.”
Alan Lipschitz, Founder of Fair Aim Capital, who previously led marketing technology company Incubeta to global scale before its successful exit to Carlyle in 2023
