MAINstream

MAINstream is a network for business angel investors established by Michelmores in 2019 to help accelerate the growth and diversity of angel investing, particularly in the South West.

We are UKBAA registered with 60 member investors and experienced entrepreneurs seeking opportunities to actively invest in, and provide ongoing support to, innovative start-ups and exciting disruptive ventures. Many of our members have themselves started, scaled and exited successful businesses.

MAINstream hold pitch events throughout the year where high-growth, early-stage companies are invited to present their businesses to the network.

The MAINstream team is led by Harry Trick and Chloe Vernon-Shore.

In recent years, the team has seen a surge in private capital deals, including investments in start-ups and early-stage companies and the MAINstream initiative enables us to support clients who are looking to make investments following a successful exit of their own.

Rod Beer, Managing Director of the UKBAA, commented:

“We are delighted that Michelmores has launched MAINstream and the potential that this has to help accelerate the growth of angel investing in the region. Whilst the South West is home to many innovative start-ups, outside of Bristol we have identified a lack of angel investors to help nourish and support these exciting high-growth companies. We hope that MAINstream will be a catalyst for more angel investment in the region and UKBAA are looking forward to supporting this exciting initiative.”

Joe Pearce, Head of Business Support at SETsquared in Exeter, said:

“At SETsquared we are supporting some incredibly exciting companies through our incubator program and other initiatives. Most of our cohort need to raise funds from private investors – and all can benefit from the experience and mentorship that angel investors can provide. MAINstream is undoubtedly a valuable addition to the existing regional start-up and scale-up ecosystem.”

To find out more about MAINstream and to discuss the possibility of joining the network as an investor, please email mainstream@michelmores.com.

If you wish to apply please complete the two application forms and return with a copy of your pitch deck to mainstream@michelmores.com.

  1. Applicant Submission Form
  2. Company Application Form

Applications are open to businesses of all sectors, but subject to the following requirements:

  • they must either be based in the South West (Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire) or have a material presence or connection to the region;
  • they must qualify for SEIS / EIS relief; and
  • they must either be generating revenue or be able to demonstrate a paid for pilot.

Michelmores also supports the next generation of entrepreneurs, particularly in areas such as technology and sustainability, via its MiVentures scheme.

MAINstream x Lune + Wild case study / MAINstream female founders event

Upcoming events:

Find out more about our Tech and Innovation team here.

Michelmores is a proud signatory to the Investing in Women Code and commits to adopting internal practices to improve female entrepreneurs’ access to finance, tools, resources they need to grow their business.
Michelmores partnered with Women in Telecoms & Technology (WiTT) to host a Women in Tech event on 8 November 2023 in celebration of women entrepreneurs working in the tech sector. Click here to watch the recording.

 

We were delighted to be announced the winner of the ‘Best Legal Team for Early-Stage Deals’ category at the UKBAA Angel Investment Awards 2022 and 2023.

The award recognises the legal firm that is making a significant impact on the ecosystem during the past year, both through actively supporting angel and early stage investment deals and bringing real added value to the investment process

Angel investment awards 2023 winner logo

 

EISA awards 2023 highly commended banner

Team

KEY CONTACTS
TEAM
Richard Cobb
Richard Cobb
Senior Partner
Tom Torkar
Tom Torkar
Partner
Anne Todd
Anne Todd
Partner
Philippa Collison
Philippa Collison
Associate
Rachel Sessions Hodge
Rachel Sessions Hodge
Senior Business Development Executive