Wealth & Finance July 2017

Wealth & Finance International 36 The Realm of Investment ngel Capital Group’s experienced management team are established leaders in the development of new angel-led early stage investment initiatives. At the same time, they can leverage nearly 30 years of investment experience through their London Business Angels network. From their headquarters in central London, they work both nationally and internationally, providing access to leading-edge services designed to improve investment readiness, facilitate access to early stage invest- ment and create opportunities for the development of new early stage co-investment funds, with a key focus on the angel investment market. The firm’s Investment Director, Alexander Sleigh explains to us more about the businesses that come under the Angel Capital Group umbrel- la, as the interview launches. “Angel Capital Group is composed of two businesses. Angel Capital Ventures is uniquely able to address equity gap funding, bringing extensive experience in structuring and building early stage Venture Capital and co-investment funds, with a key focus on leveraging the angel market. “London Business Angels is one of longest established, most respected and successful Business Angel Investment Networks in the UK. Since 1982, LBA has been connecting high growth small and medium sized enterprises with equity finance through our exclusive network of experi- enced business angel investors. “Angel Capital Group works nationally and internationally, providing access to leading-edge services designed to improve investment readi- ness, facilitate access to early stage investment, and create opportuni- ties for the development of new early stage co-investment funds, with a key focus on the angel investment market. The Angel Capital Institute provides a repository of information and news related to Angel Capital Group’s wide ranging activities and experiences.” Angel Capital Ventures Angel Capital Ventures is uniquely able to address equity gap funding, Alexander tells us. Indeed, the team have extensive experience in struc- turing and building early stage Venture Capital funds, with a key focus on leveraging the angel market. “Whilst at GLE, the team launched the UK’s first government backed £5 million Early Growth Angel Co-investment Fund, London Seed Capital and co-founded the UK’s first angel-led enterprise capital fund, the £30 million Seraphim Capital fund. “ACV established and operates a small venture fund focused on early stage technology businesses, seeking between £150,000 to £2 million. The London Business Angels EIS Round Table Fund is the first of its kind in the UK. This EIS approved fund offers an innovative approach for investing alongside The London business angels network of high- net-worth angel investors. “This new FCA regulated fund, offers important co-investment funding alongside LBA’s angel deals. The fund aims to act as a catalyst for investment over the coming year, while also allowing LBA’s members to spread their investment across several our carefully selected compa- nies. To date, LBA has raised six EIS approved funds and a SEIS fund. You can find the full details of the portfolio here at: www.lbangels.co.uk/ portfolio.” London Business Angels London Business Angels is one of the oldest, most respected and successful Business Angel Investment Networks in the UK. In closing, Alexander provides us with more detail on this specific point. “Since 1982, they have been connecting small and medium sized enterprises with high growth potential plus investment through our exclusive network of seasoned business angel investors. “We help innovating early stage companies raise equity finance of be- tween £100,000 and £1 million through our exclusive and experienced membership of angel investors. Since 2000, our investors have funded over 175 companies, amounting to a total of £35 million invested. “LBA draws its deal flow not only from London and South East, but also from any part of the UK through its network of deal flow sources. The London Business Angels expert team carefully selects 40-50 companies to present to our investors each year, from up to 1000 plans reviewed annual- ly. Typically, the network raises £4 million worth of new equity per year. “London Business Angels is a founding member of the British Business Angels Association, the industry’s best practice trade association. LBA is also a member of EBAN, the European Business Angels Network. London Business Angels has been part of Angel Capital Group since its creation in 2009.” Angels in the City Angels in the City aims to increase the awareness of individuals to become investors, Alexander underlines. He also tells us that they aim to bring their financial capacity and business experience to invest in innovative, entrepreneurs with high growth potential in the city fringes, including the exciting Tech City cluster. Angel Capital Group was created in 2009, to focus on helping high growth companies realise their potential through both knowledge and investment. To find out more, we interviewed the firm’s Investment Director, Alexander Sleigh. A 1707WF03