First Derivatives launched on to Aim after raising its minimum target of £1m through a Merchant Place-sponsored offer at 50p. The company had hoped to glean anything up to £2m from investors. It has now decided to keep the offer open until at least 31 March. County Down-based First Derivatives specialises in providing bespoke software solutions primarily to US-based software houses and European banks. Although no specific customers are named, they are described as being 'generally blue-chip' and to include 'several of the largest investment banks in Germany, the Netherlands, France, Sweden, Austria and the UK'. Impressively, the company - founded in 1996 by managing director and 71%-shareholder Brian Conlon - has succeeded in growing pre-tax profits for the last three years. It is an achievement that recently netted it Ireland's first Deloitte & Touche Fast 50 Award. Latest figures for the six months to August showed a £284,426 profit on £740,454 turnover. Definitely one to keep an eye on.