Startup Insight

Angel Investor Network In UK

Jan 6, 2025 | By Team SR

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 is also known as angel groups are an important source of funding for startup entrepreneurs. They can work alongside or even replace traditional venture capital firms. According to the UK Business Angels Association (UKBAA), the UK has the most active and advanced angel networks in Europe, with 15,000 angel investors across the country.

The Angel Investor Network in the UK is made up of individual investors who give money to early-stage startups in exchange for ownership or loans that can turn into shares. These investors not only provide funding but also offer advice, guidance and useful business connections to help companies grow.

Groups like the UK Business Angels Association (UKBAA) and other regional networks help connect entrepreneurs with investors looking for growing businesses. Angel investors in the UK are important for startups, as they help bridge the gap between early funding and later investment, especially in areas like technology, healthcare, and fintech.

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 Year1994
Investment Rounds256
Companies190 
HeadquartersUnited Kingdom
Websitehttps://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 Year2001
Investment Rounds203
Companies129
HeadquartersUnited Kingdom
Websitehttps://cambridgeangels.com/

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 Year1992
Investment Rounds187
Companies34
HeadquartersUnited Kingdom
Websitehttp://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 Year2004
Investment Rounds189
Companies134
HeadquartersUnited Kingdom
Websitehttp://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 Year1994
Investment Rounds195
Companies106
HeadquartersUnited Kingdom
Websitehttps://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 Year2015
Investment Rounds136
Companies66
HeadquartersUnited Kingdom
Websitehttp://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 Year2010
Investment Rounds178
Companies45
HeadquartersUnited Kingdom
Websitehttps://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 Year2009
Investment Rounds100
Companies33
HeadquartersUnited Kingdom
Websitehttp://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 Year2012
Investment Rounds157
Companies169
HeadquartersUnited Kingdom
Websitehttp://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 Year2004
Investment Rounds118
Companies37
HeadquartersUnited Kingdom
Websitehttp://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.

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