Startup Insight

Angel Investor Network In Uk

Jun 29, 2024 | By Team SR

Angel networks, often called angel groups, are a major funding source for startup entrepreneurs. They complement or can replace traditional venture capital firms. According to the UK Business Angels Association (UKBAA), the UK boasts the most advanced network of the most active angel networks in all of Europe, with 15,000 angel investors spread around the country.

SUMMARY

Angel networks, often called angel groups, are a major funding source for startup entrepreneurs.
The UK Angel Investment Network has experienced amazing development and dynamism.

Angel networks, often called angel groups, are a major funding source for startup entrepreneurs. They complement or can replace traditional venture capital firms. According to the UK Business Angels Association (UKBAA), the UK boasts the most advanced network of the most active angel networks in all of Europe, with 15,000 angel investors spread around the country.

Top of the UK's most active angel networks are in London or Edinburgh, but Glasgow, Cambridge, Oxford, and Bristol are also angel investor hotspots. The majority of most active angel networks in the UK look over national possibilities, but most choose local support.

Oxfordshire Investment Opportunity Network (OION)

Oxford Investment Opportunity Network (OION) was one of the UK's initial business angel networks, founded in 1994. The company connects high-net-worth, savvy investors and institutional investors with startups seeking business development funding.

OION, one of the oldest and largest UK angel investment networks, resides at Oxford Innovation Finance. OION connects investors with carefully selected investment possibilities from Oxford and around the country through quarterly Showcase events.

Founding Year	1994
Investment Rounds	256
Companies	190
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Website	https://www.oxfordinnovationfinance.co.uk/

Cambridge Angels

Although they invest nationwide, Cambridge Angels primarily focuses on opportunities in Cambridge. They are a collaborative Cambridge-based group, actively mentoring and investing in innovative teams and their ideas.

Most of its members are accomplished entrepreneurs who invest in a variety of start-up and scale-up enterprises, focusing on deep-tech and healthcare tools and solutions. Cambridge Angels prioritizes cleantech and biotech. It typically invests £150k–£1.5mn.

Founding Year	2001
Investment Rounds	203
Companies	129
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Website	https://cambridgeangels.com/

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Startup Insight

Top 10 Profitable Unicorn Startups in Europe

Startup Rise EU

Oct 2, 2023

Startup Insight

Top 10 Defence Tech Startups in Europe

Startup Rise EU

Oct 2, 2023

Startup Insight

Best Small Business Ideas in UK 2024

Team SR

Jun 30, 2024

Archangels

Archangels is Europe's oldest and most continually running business angel network. Their members make investments in creative early-stage startups.

They specialize in IP-rich technology and life sciences, including everything from bionics and biopharmaceuticals to software development. Currently included in the portfolio are ZoneFox, NCTech, Optoscribe, Reactec, and CALCiViS.

Founding Year	1992
Investment Rounds	187
Companies	34
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Website	http://www.archangelsonline.com/

Envestors

Envestors foster partnerships that propel expansion by uniting knowledgeable investors, business owners, and the networks that assist them from many regions, communities, and industries into a unified marketplace.

Since their inception in 2004, they have assisted over 200 rapidly expanding companies in raising over £100 million. The Financial Conduct Authority authorizes and governs Envestors, a UK Home Office-endorsed organization.

Founding Year	2004
Investment Rounds	189
Companies	134
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Website	http://www.envestors.co.uk/

Minerva Business Angel Network

Minerva, part of Warwick University Science Park, is a Business Angel network comprising 10 Midlands, London, and Northwest investment groups.

Minerva Business Angel Network, the 2nd most active network, 2nd most active in the Green Scaleup economy, and best Midlands angel investor network in the UK by deal volume. Minerva targets high-growth digital firms for non-profit.

Founding Year	1994
Investment Rounds	195
Companies	106
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Website	https://minerva.uk.net/

Equity Gap

Equity Gap, an Edinburgh angel investment network, connects investors with entrepreneurs seeking early-stage business finance.

Captains of industry, business executives, professors, and entrepreneurs from Scotland and abroad, many of whom are ex-pats or former residents, are Equity Gap members and eager to promote early-stage enterprises in Scotland.

With Scottish Enterprise match funding, Equity Gap invests £100,000 to £500,000 in early or seed investments. However, it often coinvests with other business angel syndicates, SE, VCs, and the Scottish National Investment Bank in larger scale-up possibilities across Scotland's many sectors.

Founding Year	2015
Investment Rounds	136
Companies	66
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Website	http://www.equitygap.co.uk/

Wealth Club

Wealth Club is the UK's foremost non-advisory investment broker for high-net-worth individuals making tax-efficient investments.

The goal is to offer more appealing and advanced investment alternatives than conventional investment platforms and financial advisers: VCT, EIS or SEIS investments, inheritance tax portfolios, commercial property investments, and single-company equity and bond agreements.

The majority of Wealth Club's directors and employees are former Hargreaves Lansdown employees with broad experience in researching investment opportunities and presenting them to clients in a clear and balanced way.

Founding Year	2010
Investment Rounds	178
Companies	45
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Website	https://www.wealthclub.co.uk/

Kelvin Capital

Glasgow-based investment syndicate Kelvin Capital partners with Scottish Enterprise Co-Investment Fund. It invests in post-revenue high-growth tech startups up to £1m.

Kelvin Capital emphasizes supporting portfolio company growth outside of the investing process. Additionally, they invest in enterprises seeking expansion funds. Most of these companies make £1 million or more.

Founding Year	2009
Investment Rounds	100
Companies	33
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Website	http://www.kelvincapital.com/

24Haymarket

London-based 24Haymarket is a sector-agnostic angel network with more than 100 private investors. The network targets board seats and an involved post-investment approach for its portfolio companies.

They have 3,000+ years of entrepreneurial, investment, and operational expertise. They focus on investing in companies that have demonstrated initial commercial traction.

Founding Year	2012
Investment Rounds	157
Companies	169
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Website	http://www.24haymarket.com/

TRI Capital

Scotland-based TRI Capital is an experienced company angel network. It works in partnership with Scottish Enterprise to support early stage companies from start up through to Series A and beyond.

TRI Capital invests in early-stage companies but is open to other growth stages. IT, biomedical, optoelectronics, engineering, and textiles are its key areas of interest.

Founding Year	2004
Investment Rounds	118
Companies	37
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Website	http://www.tricapital.co.uk/

Conclusion

The UK Angel Investment Network has experienced amazing development and dynamism. Just this list alone demonstrates a robust ecosystem of support for fledgling companies, with networks leveraging their combined knowledge and capital to contribute significantly to the development of creative ideas and their subsequent success.

Active Angel Networks EU Startups