What We’re Up To This Summer
It’s been a whirlwind start to summer here at Angels Den. In early May we celebrated our third birthday which gave us a chance to reflect on everything that’s happened in that time. It’s amazing to think that in just three years Angels Den has introduced a new model for business investment and changed the landscape for small business funding forever.
We hope you find the contents of this newsletter informative and interesting. Here’s a snapshot of what’s following:
- Read the stories of brilliant businesses funded through Angels Den in record time
- Tips for perfecting your pitch to potential investors
- Find out if your business is right for Angel funding
- Hear about the launch of Angels Lounge encouraging more women to invest in businesses like yours
- Notes from some of our great Partners who are offering bespoke services to you
- An international expansion into Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia
- Dates in for the rest of 2010, book your place on a Funding Clinic or SpeedFunding event today
Read the mouth watering story of how they did it here.
Another business, KPI Community, had already secured major contracts with Government departments so in depth due diligence was required. Read here how they secured investment through Angels Den in just 12 weeks.
Find out how these businesses and many more prepared brilliant pitches, by clicking here and reading our top five tips on how to pitch for success.
We regularly see 50 businesses a month in our Funding Clinics. These give us an opportunity to learn more about a business, discuss the ins and outs of raising Angel finance and go through the proposal that will be put to Angels. For the majority of businesses it’s a case of getting investment ready, finalising business plans and committing to raising finance but on frequent occasions two key points arise. Firstly, quite a few startups at proof of concept stage are looking to raise too much money too early. This presents a risky proposition for the Angel who is unlikely to part with serious sums for an idea and if they do, will then demand more equity in the business as a result. Secondly, we see businesses that are not scalable. In order to attract Angel funding the business plan has to indicate high growth and major scale to achieve this.
Click here to find out dates and contact details for Funding Clinics in your area and see if your business is right for Angel funding.
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British Library Business & IP Centre In May Angels Den formed a great partnership with the British Library Business & IP Centre. This organisation can help you start, run and grow your business and through the relationship with Angels Den you can get free membership to the Business Library and IP Centre and free research hours. Click here for more details
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Shell LiveWire & Shell Springboard The UK’s biggest online community for young entrepreneurs (aged 16-30) is accepting applications from eco entrepreneurs for eight £40,000 awards which will be awarded in 2011. Apply online www.shellspringboard.org by 5 November 2010. |
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Virgin Media Pioneers
Virgin Media have partnered with Enterprise UK to create an online community connecting young entrepreneurial talent to a network of peer support, entrepreneurial contacts and expert business advice.Click here for more details |
The launch of Angels Den in Asia has meant even more Angels registering with us to find their next investment. Not only is this good news for entrepreneurs in Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia, it’s also great news for UK businesses looking for international investment. These international Angels aren’t afraid to travel and we’ve seen many of them at SpeedFunding events in the UK over the last couple of months.Click here for more information on Angels Den Asia.
That’s it from us for now. If you need to get your business funded, why not come along to one of our Funding Clinics to get free advice on becoming investment ready.
Click here to see dates and who to contact.
Forthcoming SpeedFunding Events
| London
– Thursday 9th September - Wednesday 6th October - Wednesday 3rd November - Wednesday 1st December |
| North
– Tuesday 5th October – Newcastle - Thursday 7th October – Leeds - Tuesday 16th November – Newcastle - Thursday 18th November – Leeds - Tuesday 14th December – Newcastle – Thursday 16th December – Leeds |
| Scotland
– Thursday 26th August - Thursday 30th September - Thursday 28th October - Thursday 25th November |
| Asia, Hong Kong
- October 2010, dates tbc |
