Angel Investment Network Blog - News About Startups, Entrepreneurs & Angel Investors

How to support startups scale in a Pro-Tech Britain

The UK has the potential to become a global tech powerhouse, but are we truly maximising our opportunities? A recent event that AIN attended, “UK 2.0 Building a Pro-Tech Britain,” hosted by Digital Frontier brought together industry leaders and policymakers to discuss the challenges and, more importantly, the immense potential of the UK tech scene.

The consensus was clear: the UK has the ingredients to support startups as they grow, but it need to address some critical issues to truly flourish. Joe Hill from public services think tank Reform set the stage, acknowledging that while the UK faces “huge problems,” they are “fixable.” He emphasised the UK’s unique appeal and the fact it was ‘underpriced’.

He made the point that “Few countries have such an appeal…people want to be here.” This inherent attractiveness, coupled with our existing strengths, forms a solid foundation upon which to build. The challenge lay in the institutional factors hampering growth. read more

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Aura Funerals secures £750,000 through Angel Investment Network to revolutionise end-of-life planning

Aura Funerals, the digital end-of-life planning and funeral service, has announced a successful £750,000 funding round through Angel Investment Network. This marks Aura’s third successful raise through the network. The funds were raised as part of a larger £3.2m growth funding round.

Aura Funerals, launched in 2019, is transforming the funeral care process by digitising and simplifying arrangements, making them more affordable and flexible. The company prioritises compassionate support and offers comprehensive planning resources to assist families during challenging times. Following recent market changes, it is one of fewer than 30 FCA-regulated funeral providers. read more

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Startup Essentials: Reverse-Engineer Your Pitch Deck for Investor Success

Your pitch deck is the gateway to securing the funding you need to turn your vision into reality. Yet so many founders fall at this hurdle. In our latest Startup Essentials article we hear from pitch deck coach Malcolm Lewis on creating effective pitch decks that attract investors. He highlights the need for two versions of the deck: one for sending ahead and a more concise one for presentations. Plus why the strength of the pitch needs to win out over a flashy design.

At its core, a pitch deck is the combination of your pitch (your story) and your deck (your slides). However, too many founders lose focus, prioritising eye-catching designs and flashy graphics at the expense of a clear, compelling pitch. read more

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Meet the Investor: Colin Boey

Colin Boey is a global investor and syndicate leader, renowned for his strategic insights and successful ventures in the B2B SaaS sector. With a keen eye for innovation and growth, Colin’s discusses the importance of founder-investor alignment and common fundraising misconceptions. He has also shares his views on the ongoing benefits of SEIS/EIS for the UK’s startup landscape and why he’s not chasing AI ‘for the sake of it’.

Why did you become an angel investor?

I’ve always been fascinated by tech. Before becoming an angel investor, I focused on investing in publicly listed tech companies. During my time as an investment banker, I advised on fundraises for high-growth private companies, which introduced me to the world of early-stage venture and angel investing. It felt like a light bulb moment. read more

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The Year of the Angel? Dos and Don’ts for Attracting Investors

The new year is a great chance to reset your fundraising plans and develop positive new habits. In today’s economy, raising funds requires more preparation and strategic thinking than ever. So, what resolutions should you make?

Our latest article as part of our ‘investment ready’ series provides essential “dos and don’ts” for startups seeking funding, drawing on expert insights from our brokerage team and angel investors across our network. Let’s make 2025 the year of the angel. read more

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Meet The Investor: Joanna Jensen

In our latest Meet The Investor interview, we are delighted to hear from Joanna Jensen, chair of the Enterprise Investment Scheme Association (EISA), and founder of Childs Farm. She discusses her motivations for backing challenger brands to the key foundations of investor-founder relationships. She also looks at current market trends, the importance of social responsibility, and what the UK Government needs to now do to better support the UK’s startup ecosystem.

Why did you become an angel investor?

Because I have an absolute belief that Challenger Brands deliver consumers and businesses what they need, as opposed to what big businesses think they need. The journey an SME takes is full of twists and turns – some fabulous, some horrific – and I understand this better than many. To be able to be a sounding board to other founders, helping them on their journey to success is a real honour. And it gives me the ability to go on their journey with them in a very small way – and without any stress! Owning M&S shares is a little dull in comparison. read more

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Startup Essentials: The Art of Financial Storytelling

Securing angel investment requires more than just a great idea. Investors increasingly scrutinise a founder’s financial acumen. In out latest Startup Essentials article, we hear from from Charlie Robinson, managing director at ScaleUp Finance, on why a structured approach to financial management is crucial for demonstrating your business’s potential and attracting the right investors.

For startup founders, the journey to securing angel investment often begins long before that first investor meeting. While groundbreaking products and compelling visions are essential, investors increasingly expect to see structured financial management that demonstrates your business acumen and growth potential. read more

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Startups must adapt to win investment in 2025 – global survey findings

Our recent global research of startups across the AIN network highlights some of the key challenges facing startups seeking fundraising. But how can they overcome them and win investment in 2025? To succeed, startups must adapt to changing macro-economic conditions, prioritise their own mental well-being, and truly understand the investor’s perspective. Let’s deep dive into the findings.

There are signs of a resurgence in global confidence in the investment landscape as we face 2025. This was a key finding from our global survey of startups in three of our largest territories, the USA, UK and Australia. read more

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Meet The Investor: Hailey Eustace

In our second Meet The Investor interview, we speak to Hailey Eustace, founder of Commplicated and now a passionate DeepTech angel investor. Driven by her desire to work with companies and founders she truly believes in, Hailey shares her journey from entrepreneur to investor, the unique opportunities in deeptech and the qualities she values most in founders.

Why did you become an angel investor?

I worked as a deeptech VC over ten years ago in the US and really enjoyed it and since then I have worked in deeptech, including at a neurotech startup in Cambridge for five years helping it to grow from preseed to series A+. read more

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Meet The Investor: Phil McSweeney

Today, we launch a new content series to help startups become #investmentready for 2025. In the first of our Meet The Investor interviews we speak to Phil McSweeney, angel investor and author of AngelThink. He shares how a chance encounter led to his successful career as an angel investor. Additionally, he discusses the key factors that drive investment decisions, the common pitfalls founders face, and the strategies for building strong relationships between investors and startups.

Why did you become an angel investor?

OK – here’s the truth – I became an angel investor by accident. I had been made redundant, had time on my hands whilst wondering what to do next and went along to an angel group meeting as a guest. I got hooked on the storytelling. read more

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Startup Essentials: Building a More Sustainable and Efficient Website

The digital world’s carbon footprint is rapidly growing, with AI and other technologies increasing energy consumption. In our latest Startup Essentials article Paul Laroy from digital innovation agency 7DOTS discusses how Startups can build websites that are both sustainable and also enhance user experience.

While we diligently track our carbon footprints through transportation, diet, and home energy use, the digital world’s growing environmental impact often goes unnoticed.

As advancements like Generative AI demand increasingly intensive processing power, this digital footprint is poised to surge. Studies estimate that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) contributes 2-4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, roughly equivalent to the aviation industry. read more

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80% of Australian Startups optimistic about 2025

Australian startups are upbeat about their prospects for the next year, despite a challenging fundraising climate.

According to a survey conducted by Angel Investment Network, the world’s largest online angel investment platform, 80% of startups polled in Australia revealed they are optimistic about the next year. 48% are very optimistic and 31% quite optimistic. This compares with just two thirds of UK startups (68%) in a separate survey.

The survey gauged the outlook for startups in the present climate, with the Australian network being one of AIN’s largest globally. Looking ahead, the survey reveals that securing investment is the biggest challenge for 71% of founders. This was followed by hiring the right talent (35%), product innovation and development (31%) and work/life balance (24%). read more

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Startup Essentials: Strategic Sales Execution for Founders Without Sales Experience

Selling to B2B mid-market and enterprise can be a daunting task for startup founders. However, a strategic sales approach can transform challenges into opportunities. In our latest Startup Essentials article we hear from Charles Talbot, Co- Founder of Closing Foundry, on five key benefits of a disciplined sales process and some actionable tips to help founders tackle winning new business with confidence.

Sales can often feel like a daunting mountain to climb, especially for founders with no prior sales training or experience. However, mastering the art of strategic sales execution is essential for any startup founder selling into B2B mid market or enterprise prospects. read more

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What does the Chancellor’s Budget mean for entrepreneurs?

Following last week’s UK Budget which included £40bn of tax rises, Joanna Jensen, entrepreneur and chair of the Enterprise Investment Scheme Association (EISA) talks through what the measures mean for the UK’s entrepreneurs

Since the double whammy of COVID and Brexit, startups and scale ups have been experiencing belt tightening; liquidity is scarce, the cost of goods has risen enormously and international export legislation is nothing short of a headache.

Many small firms are facing chronic staffing issues, from the long-term sick, a severe lack of workers in the hospitality and services industries, and many now reluctant to return to the office. A new government talking about growth was a much-needed boost – until the whispers started circling about their intention to remove every lever in the toolbox used to support business growth. The constant finger pointing at the previous Government feels like an intentional distraction from the fact that they are a collective of business virgins. read more

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Navigating the Startup Funding Maze in 2024

Today AIN launches the first results from our 2024 Founder survey. In this article we deep dive into the results from our UK survey and what the takeouts are for startups seeking funding in a new climate.

To mark our 20th anniversary we launched a founder survey so we could hear from the founders across the network and take the temperature of startups in 2024. We wanted to gain a deeper understanding about your fundraising challenges, your successes and life as a startup founder. Today we are releasing the first set of findings from our UK founders. read more

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The Power of Networks and Collaboration in Scaling Diverse Businesses

In our latest guest post we here from Ace Entrepreneurs founder Nadine Campbell on the power of networks in supporting diverse businesses to scale.

The entrepreneurial landscape in the UK is becoming more diverse each year, with an increasing number of founders from underrepresented backgrounds stepping into the spotlight. In fact, over 810,000 new businesses were registered in 2023, and according to the Rose Review, the number of female-led businesses has grown by 18% in the past year alone.

However, the journey for many of these founders remains fraught with challenges, particularly when it comes to accessing the funding and networks necessary to scale. read more

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Pioneering Angel Investment: A Conversation with AIN co-founders James Badgett and Mike Lebus

Twenty years ago two childhood friends, with a shared passion for entrepreneurship, embarked on a journey to revolutionise the startup funding landscape. Recognising the challenges faced by founders in securing angel investment, they created a platform that would bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and investors. Angel Investment Network was born, offering a streamlined solution for fundraising and connecting entrepreneurs with a global network of angel investors.

Now with 40 networks spanning 90 countries it is the world’s largest online angel investment platform. We speak to the co-founders Mike Lebus and James Badgett to get the inside story. read more

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Startup Essentials: Financial Modelling & Cashflow Strategies

‘The single largest factor in the failure of small businesses – up to 80% of all cases – is poor cashflow management.’ Peter Denton from Lothbury Business Management gives us the lowdown on how a robust financial model offers invaluable insights into a startups’s health, future prospects, and potential pitfalls. Crucial ingredients in winning over potential investors.

Why is Financial Modelling important?

Financial modelling is a critical part of understanding the health of a business, projecting what the company can expect to achieve over a future period. It also offers validation to investors around fundraising and investment. As part of normal operating practice, it should be a key tool that feeds into the strategic decision-making, planning and risk management processes. It will assist a business in identifying peaks and troughs in cashflow prior to them occurring. read more

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August intentions: How to get investment ready for the autumn

The summer months often signal a slowdown in the startup world, with many investors jetting off on vacation. However, this lull presents a unique opportunity for ambitious founders to get investment ready and position their businesses for a successful autumn fundraising campaign.

We spoke to AIN’s expert brokerage team, who have collectively raised more than £120 million for startups, to uncover what founders should be doing while investors soak up the sun.

As the old adage goes, “failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” This couldn’t be truer when it comes to securing investment. While investors may be less accessible during the summer months, it’s crucial to use this time wisely to refine your pitch and strengthen your business proposition. Here is a list of the essential tasks to prioritise in August. read more

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Why on earth can’t I raise investment?

In our latest guest post we hear from Phil McSweeney, angel investor and acclaimed author of AngelThink, the founder’s guide to how angels think. With a wealth of experience in the startup world, he pulls no punches as he tackles the age-old question of why so many founders struggle to secure investment.

The brutal reality of the startup world is that most founders can’t raise investment. Why is this? Here’s the simplest answer I can give you – investors would rather invest in something or someone else. I know, I’m an angel. Our problem – we have too much choice and, if you don’t want me to sugar-coat it, you haven’t made the cut. read more

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