Award-winning not-for-profit investment platform NorthInvest has announced the launch of a new Angel Investor Hub in collaboration with the UK Business Angels Association.
The Leeds Angel Hub will be based in Platform, Bruntwood’s recently launched building in the city, which has been designed to bring together creatively minded businesses and drive collaboration and innovation.
Located above Leeds railway station, the hub will offer free co-working and education for investor members as well as hosting entrepreneurs, business leaders and academics for networking and the sharing of ideas.
Released at NorthInvest’s Leeds Healthtech Investment Summit, the Angel Hub will be based in Platform’s lounge which provides access to co-working hot desks, meeting areas, training workshops for new and would-be investors, event spaces plus access to market intelligence and a network of local entrepreneurs.
Run in partnership with NorthInvest, which seeks to build a stronger and more connected tech investor and start-up community across the North of England, it will be a focal point for the early-stage investor community in the Leeds city region, sharing good practice and invigorating the local investment ecosystem.
Helen Oldham, founding board director for NorthInvest said: “We’re very excited to be working with the UKBAA and Platform to provide a focal point for early stage investment activity in the Wider Leeds Region, helping to grow the northern economy.
“The NorthInvest Angel Hub will be a vibrant, collaborative and educational space where investors and start-ups can come together, progress opportunities and share thinking.
“Our key strategic areas of opportunity in Fintech, Healthtech, Media, Cyber and Tech for Good will all benefit from having a meeting point in a central, well-designed environment surrounded by like-minded people.
“We enjoy working with innovative, ambitious people in the North who want to change the world for the better and the Angel Hub will accelerate our opportunity to do just that.”
Jenny Tooth OBE, chief executive of UK Business Angels Association said: “Our recent research has shown that much of the current angel investment is based in London and the South East.
“So we are delighted to be partnering with NorthInvest to establish this new Angel Hub in Leeds to enable the development of a vibrant angel investment community in the region to back innovating entrepreneurs.
“We will be supporting NorthInvest with their activities, including access to training and skills for new investors, as well as encouraging more women to engage in angel investing.”
Craig Burrow, regional director for Bruntwood in Leeds, said: “Bringing businesses together is the very essence of Platform and the Angel Hub really embodies this spirit.
“Members of the hub will be able to take full advantage of the comprehensive range of facilities here at Platform and access an exciting community of start-up and growing businesses.
“We look forward to welcoming the hub and supporting how its members can involve themselves with the Platform community and our ethos of collaboration.”