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A new network for business angel investors was launched last week with a virtual event featuring the team behind MAINstream at Michelmores and presentations by Rod Beer from the UK Business Angels Association (UKBAA) and Joe Pearce from SETsquared and the University of Exeter.
The angel investor network, which has been established by Michelmores but will be managed with input from all its members, is registered with the UKBAA and is open to experienced entrepreneurs and investors seeking opportunities to back innovative early-stage businesses.
MAINstream will run several pitch events throughout the year where startups are invited to present their businesses to the network, as well as providing various networking and training opportunities for members.
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 Richard, Harry and the team in 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.”
The MAINstream team is led by Richard Cobb, who heads Michelmores’ Corporate and Private Wealth offerings. Of the new angel investor network, Richard says:
“In recent years we have seen a surge in private capital deals, including investments in start-ups and early-stage companies. A particularly rewarding aspect of this for us is where clients are looking to make investments following a successful exit of their own – we find that successful entrepreneurs often want to remain involved with high-growth businesses without the demands of a full-time role, making angel investing of real interest.
“Michelmores is committed to supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs, especially in areas such as technology and sustainability. Our existing initiative MiVentures supports innovative and scalable businesses, and, whilst separate from MAINstream, we see both as being important parts of our wider Private Wealth offering.
We also hope the new network, which will be limited to 50 active members nationally, will provide a rich source of experience and interesting contacts beyond simply investment opportunities over the years to come”
To find out more about MAINstream, whether to discuss the possibility of joining the network as an investor, or to be considered to pitch at one of our events, please email: mainstream@michelmores.com
