Royal Bank Ventures and Amadeus Capital Partners have each invested in early-stage high technology companies despite the dramatic downturn in demand for technology products over the last two years.

Royal Bank Ventures, the technology venture capital fund of Royal Bank of Scotland's equity finance unit, has led a £5m (€8m) funding round in Aspects Software, a UK company that writes software systems for mobile phone Sim cards and smart cards. The capital is intended to help Aspects Software extend its international growth, building on its existing base of 220 customers in 33 countries.