Tech Nation, the UK network for ambitious tech entrepreneurs, has teamed up with Newcastle based Mincoffs Solicitors and North Shields based Blu Sky Chartered Accountants for the launch of the new ‘Angel Community’ Programme.
A series of events centred on developing the tech angel investor community in the North East and Yorkshire will take place, addressing the ongoing issue of the funding gap between tech businesses and investment.
Recent research into the UK business angel market by Tech Nation and the British Business Bank indicates that although North East start-ups hail the support community as the region’s biggest strength, there is ‘clear regional disparity in terms of where Angel investors are based and where they invest’.
North East tech start-ups cite the lack of access to funding in the region to be a drawback with many traveling to London or further afield to secure investment. In a survey of more than 2500 deals, involving over 650 angel investors, less than 0.5% were based in the North East, while almost 60% were based in London and the South East.
Tech Nation is hoping to bridge the gap between northern tech investors and businesses to keep the flow of funding and knowledge within the region. With the help of expert programme partners Mincoffs Solicitors and Blu Sky and established experienced investors, the Angel Community will run a series of workshops for new and inexperienced tech investors in the North East and Yorkshire, as well as dinners and pitching events. The community will also look to help start-ups and new tech businesses seeking local investment, with investment readiness workshops for advice on how to make a new venture an attractive prospect for investors.
The Angel Community is an evolution of the previous Tech North Angel Community with events to be held in Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool and Cheshire. The aim is to build a strong, open network of tech investors that is easy to access and open to collaboration.
James Bedford, Head of Investment Partnerships at Tech Nation commented: “We’re delighted to be building on the success of the previous programme with our partners Mincoffs and Blu Sky. It is really important that we support the growth of the angel investor community to enable tech companies to find the right investors.”
Specialist IT lawyer Antony Hall, who heads the Commercial Services Team at Mincoffs, said “the North East’s technology cluster is full of ambitious and exciting businesses, many of whom are looking for investment. As well as bringing capital, angel investors bring vital business experience which can make a huge difference in helping tech businesses reach their full potential. We are very pleased to be supporting Tech Nation with this important programme; stimulating angel activity within the region can only strengthen the region’s technology community.”
Dave Gibson, Co-founder of Blu Sky added: “We’re excited to be on board with the Tech Nation Angel Community Programme and attending the Newcastle and Leeds events! Supporting the local angel community will only encourage more local investments with start-ups in the region, boosting our business ecosystem.”
Tech Nation was launched in May 2018 after merging the Tech City UK and Tech North brands to support tech companies across the whole of the UK.
