Minerva, one of the UK’s largest business angel networks, has joined forces with Sci-Tech Daresbury to encourage North West entrepreneurs and investors to support the region’s start-up companies as angel investors.
While a total of £1.8bn was invested in 2017 through the Enterprise Investment Scheme, which provides individuals with tax incentives to invest in start-ups and growth-orientated companies, the vast majority of this sum stays in London and the South East.
Minerva and Sci-Tech Daresbury, the leading science and innovation campus, hope to promote angel investment within the North West business community and to prevent the flight of capital and expertise to London and the South.
The partnership will launch with an event on 6th February at The Innovation Centre at Sci-Tech Daresbury, where three local start-ups will pitch to a panel of angels.
Alex Toft, head of Minerva, said: “We’re looking forward to bringing our tried-and-tested angel investment model to the North West.
“Angel investment is a way for successful and experienced business people to give something back by supporting up-and-coming companies.
“Minerva angels don’t only bring financial backing, they bring a wealth of experience and the ability to open doors and make connections.
“Working together, Minerva and Sci-Tech Daresbury will promote the opportunities available for investors, especially those willing to get involved with like-minded people, and seek to expand the funding opportunities available to start-up businesses in the North West.”
John Downes, group managing director of Langtree and chair of the Sci-Tech Daresbury joint venture company said: “Bringing business together is the very essence of Sci-Tech Daresbury and having Minerva business angels network choose the campus for this event is a reflection of our collaborative spirit.
“Minerva will have access to an exciting community of start-up and growing businesses, while companies on our campus and in our close network will have another route to secure funding to help their business prosper and move to the next level.”