The Michelmores Angel Investor Network (MAINstream) was established just under five years ago to bridge a gap between experienced entrepreneurs, that had grown and sold a business (and had instructed us to act on that sale), and early-stage growth businesses looking for investment.
Originally focused on tech-enabled businesses based all over the UK, we have now intentionally pivoted to facilitate investment into businesses that have a strong connection to the South West of England and in any sector.
This pivot is in alignment with the recent emphasis put on regional investment (and levelling up), and the placement of a £200,000,000 investment fund into the region by the British Business Bank.
What is Angel Investment and is it for you?
Angel investors invest their own money in the early stages of businesses by providing cash to the founder(s) in exchange for a small share in that business.
Frequently plugging the investment gap between friends & family and being ready for institutional money, Angels are critical in ensuring businesses survive and grow to meet the investment thesis of later stage institutional backers.
Angel investment is risky, this is because businesses looking for Angel money are at an early-stage and many will not survive. However, when they do, Angel investors can generate 10, 20 and sometimes 100 times their original stake.
Due to the risk surrounding Angel Investment, there exists a stringent regulatory framework with unhelpful language like ‘high net worth individuals’ and ‘sophisticated investor’. But do not let that put you off! As an Angel group, we can only put promotional material from businesses that are looking for Angel investment to individuals that the Financial Conduct Authority validates can wear that risk. This is by being able to self-certify as either a high net worth individual or a sophisticated investor. But these thresholds are not nearly as unattainable as they may sound.
- To self-certify as a High Net Worth Individual – you must have an annual income of £100,000 or more or net assets (excluding your primary residence, pensions and insurance contracts) of £250,000 or more.
- To self-certify as a Sophisticated Investor – you must have worked in a professional capacity in the private equity sector in the last two years, been the director of a company with an annual turnover of at least £1,000,000 in the last two years, made two or more investments in an unlisted company in the last two years or been a member of an Angel network or syndicate for six months or more (and still be a member).
Why do we need you?
MAINstream receives a high number of applications from businesses looking for investment before each of our five annual pitch events.
Angels make investments and often sit to wait to see how they perform. We need new investors to match the brilliant new business opportunities coming through MAINstream.
What’s in it for you?
Aside from the potential opportunity to make lots of money, you can share your experience, knowledge and ambition with fledgling companies and, all being well, be a part of their world domination!
MAINstream offers a great network of supportive and positive people. All of our events are held in person and three of the five pitch events are followed by an opportunity to network with the wider early-stage ecosystem in the South West.
Minimal Expectations
There is no joining fee and no obligation to invest.
We understand it takes a long time to grow an Angel Investor; it takes time to understand the process; to get comfortable with the concept of parting with your money; and to find a business that you connect with and want to invest in.
If you can self-certify, why not come along to a couple of our MAINstream events and see firsthand what is involved.
There are lots of brilliant South-West based businesses that could really benefit from your investment and, as importantly, your knowledge and expertise.
And we have not even talked about EIS and SEIS yet…
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact Chloe Vernon-Shore; Harry Trick or Ellen Vickers-Collier.
