You might have heard this phrase before, and research shows that is absolutely true. We use the phrase ‘always a grade A team with a grade B product and never the other way around’.
We’ve had businesses pitch with us where the investors have said “I don’t care what they do, they are investible”, and invest because they believe in the founders and their team. There are of course multiple factors that go into an investment decision, but the ‘people’ factor is one of the strongest.
“In the UK only 1 in 3 entrepreneurs are female. Their businesses are only 44% of the size of male led businesses in terms of their contribution to the economy, and they receive less than 1% of venture capital.”
At this year’s Future Forward event as part of the UK Business Angels Investment Summit we heard from Alison Rose, CEO Natwest Group, who provided some statistics from The Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship report
She outlined the key areas of focus which emerged from their review, these are:
Increase funding towards female entrepreneurs
Provide greater family care support
Make entrepreneurship more accessible for women by increasing support locally through relatable and accessible mentors and networks
Since the report findings the Investing in Women Code has been introduced, which is a commitment to support female entrepreneurship in the UK. Improving access to advice, resources and finance needed to run a business, of which there are now 66 signatories – we are proud to be one of those signatures.
We hope to see the statistics change in the years to come.
“This year I will…” quickly became “Next year I will…” for a lot of companies who have been affected by COVID-19. For some businesses it was even “If we survive this year…”.
We have seen some incredible transformations within businesses during this time, to not only survive, but to thrive.
The UK Business Angels Report 2020 stated that over half of UK business angels have continued to invest during COVID-19. We have supported many businesses with their funding raise this year, and are pleased to say investments have continued as usual in our groups.
If you’re considering your funding options to excel your growth plans in 2021, we would be delighted to hear from you.
If we’ve learnt anything from 2020 it’s to expect the unexpected!
We are delighted that Sentry SL Ltd have secured their investment along with two excellent angels who will support the team on their journey. A huge congratulations to Steve Roberts and his team, it was a pleasure working with them.
Sentry SL Ltd have developed a technology solution that a) prevents the subsequent use of stolen equipment, and b) by using in-built tracking technology enables the effective tracking of stolen equipment which significantly increases the chance of recovery. When combined, these provide a significant anti-theft deterrent. Although other anti-theft devices already exist, Sentry SL Ltd have developed a solution that can be provided at a much lower price point that significantly widens the target market for its application.
Sentry SL Ltd technology can be sold retrospectively and fitted to individual pieces of equipment post sale, and in bulk to larger equipment manufacturers enabling them to become an OEM.
Longer term the technology can be readily applied to a wide variety of other sectors affected by the risks of theft.
Angelgroups Martin Avison said, “Seldom does a business opportunity cross our desk with such a clear and easy to understand value proposition. Sentry SL Ltd manufacture a tracker and immobiliser technology for small to medium size capital equipment, mainly in the construction sector. Not only are we delighted to have funded the business, but we have also provided them with two excellent angels to support the team on their journey”.
Stephen Roberts, Founder said, “Having approached other investment groups with no success we are so please that we used angelgroups. Their help to steer us through the process was superb and resulted in our joint success. My thanks to Martin and the team for all the support in making the deal happen”.
It’s been nearly a year since we recorded a podcast with Nick Bramley as part of his Impact Sessions, where we talk all things ‘funding’ related.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the funding landscape we would be delighted for you to give it a listen.
A huge congratulations to the founders of My Bespoke Room, who were two of the best founders we have worked with. We are delighted to have helped them secure their investment and wish them every success in what promises to be an exciting future for them and their wider team.
My Bespoke Room is a technology company changing the world of Interior Design. They are the world’s first double sided platform for both consumers and Interior Designers. They offer a professional and affordable design service, that’s time efficient and delivered conveniently online. Designers can also use the platform to set-up, run and grow their own business.
My Bespoke Room’s mission is to revolutionise the world of Interior Design through the provision of a world class tech solution that allows consumers and designers to transact seamlessly with one another through one platform.
Angelgroups Martin Avison said, “We were delighted to work with the founders of this Bournemouth based tech company. Not only have they identified a significant opportunity in the interior design sector, they have systematically gone about securing a significant footprint in it and even growing it through Covid. I am confident that this business will continue to grow and become a dominant player within this sector. A credit to both Laura and Diana, the founders of My Bespoke Room. We were delighted to help them secure their investment and provide experienced investors to provide counsel on their journey.”.
Diana Greenhalgh, Co-Founder said, “We found Martin and the team at angelgroups to be highly professional and personable. The calibre of the angels was incredibly high, and we’re delighted to welcome some very experienced investors in the next chapter of our growth journey.”
Over half of UK business angels have continued to invest during COVID-19 reveals new UK Business Angel Report 2020 by the British Business Bank.
The report, which was released last week, shows how angel investment continues to play a huge role in the funding of businesses during the pandemic. The report is a fascinating insight in to the current activity of business angels in the UK.
Some great news to start the week…another business funded!
We are thrilled that Co-Space have secured their funding. A huge congratulations to the founders Alistair Thomas and William Stokes, who not only delivered some fantastic pitches, but managed to secure their funding during an extremely uncertain time.
Co-Space creates engaging, practical co-working spaces in regional towns and cities in the UK.
Co-Space offers a range of flexible office spaces ranging from hot-desking and dedicated desks, spaces for 2+ up to 60+ person dedicated office units, in an inspiring and all-inclusive environment.
Co-Space’s objective is to: “Provide great spaces for people to get on working – and enjoy the space they do it in”
Angelgroups Martin Avison said, “It is hard to imagine a business whose offering could be more timely. Covid 19 has seen a sea change in the way people are working and considering their medium to long term office requirements. Today, everything is still uncertain and what people are looking for is flexibility as to how they work and manage their business and people. Co Space are providing this solution in a very cost-effective way. It is great to see two fantastic founders, supported by one of our angels provide such a considered solution when business needs it most. We wish them every success.”.
Alistair Thomas, Joint Founder Co-Space, “William and I are extremely grateful to the opportunity given to us by angelgroups to pitch to, and accept investment from genuine and high caliber angel investors. We were given thorough guidance and instructions throughout the process which was well organised and highly enjoyable. All in all, a great way to get in front of real investors”.
Our new Manchester Angel Group has officially launched!
Yesterday we ran our first event for the region, where we had 3 fantastic businesses pitching to a new group of Angels. There was some fantastic feedback for the businesses such as: “great opportunity with clever tech”, “strong concept in a dedicated sport” and “big thumbs up”.
A big thank you to our partners in the region for their help in pulling the group together, we are already looking forward to the next event.
Next week is the launch of our new Manchester Angel Group, which we are really looking forward to getting up and running.
We have 3 businesses who will be pitching at the first event, all very different but all with high growth potential and a fantastic founding team. The events will be held online for the time being, but with the view to have physical events again as and when the current COVID situation allows.
A big thank you to our partners in the region: Weightmans, BDO and Brown Shipley for their support in the creation of the group. We are thrilled to be working together.
As part of Leeds Digital Festival here are two great sessions that we’d recommend you attend. They are both hosted by one of our Angel Investors, Phil Fraser;
5 Step Business Strategy Plan – Interactive Session
Wed 23rd Sept 10.00am
A LIVE interactive strategy session enabling attendees to build a FULLY ACTIONABLE bespoke business strategy plan for their own business. Plus live Q&A session.
This LIVE Business strategy planning session with Phil Fraser will be fully interactive. By the end of the session you will have the structure of a FULLY ACTIONABLE bespoke strategy plan for your business.
WARNING this will not be a ‘sit back and listen’ session! Phil will walk you through his FFS (Fraser Five Step) business strategy planning tool, along with a full Q&A session at the end of the webinar.
You’ll leave the session with a fully actionable bespoke business strategy for your business, not just a few notes, cliched quotes or vague notions that you often get from similar webinars.
The session will cover everything from your targets and the way through to measurable deliverables, and everything between…… all in less than an hour.If you are serious about developing your business, this is a ‘must attend’ session.
Hear from FOUR digital entrepreneurs about their experience in The Den!
How do you get on to the show?
What’s it like when the lift opens and you are stood there…….?
What happens ‘behind the scenes’?
What’s it like to successfully get Dragon investment? And what’s it like to be rejected?
And what happens after the credits roll?
PLUS you’ll get the opportunity to ask the entrepreneurs your questions in a live Q&A at the end of the webinar. You’ll be fascinated by their true life tales!
