Welcome to Henley Business Angels

Henley Business Angels (HBA) is a network of experienced business leaders, successful entrepreneurs and investors. The network’s aim is to facilitate opportunities for members to invest in and mentor (S)EIS registered early-stage businesses launched by entrepreneurs who graduated from or are connected with Henley Business School and the University of Reading. Henley Business Angels is also keen to support and educate entrepreneurs to contribute to the quality of the founder ecosystem, through initiatives such as our quarterly Investment Readiness Workshop.

Investing In Women Code

Henley Business Angels is passionate about investing in diversity, and in particular, in female entrepreneurs. We’ve put this passion into action by becoming signatories of the Investing In Women Code to show that we are committed to supporting diversity and inclusion in access to finance.

The Investing In Women Code asks signatories to commit to having a member of the senior leadership team responsible for supporting equality in all its interactions with entrepreneurs; to providing data on financing entrepreneurs disaggregated by gender that will be collated in an annual report by HM Treasury; and, to adopt internal practices which aim to improve the potential for female entrepreneurs to successfully access the tools, resources, investment and finance they need to build and grow their business.

We are proud that 28% of Henley Business Angels’ investments are female-founded, sitting above the average 21% for angel networks in the UK.

Innovate UK Investor Partner

Henley Business Angels is delighted to have been chosen as an Innovate UK Investor Partner for their Future Economy Programme.

The Future Economy Programme is designed to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are working on cutting-edge technology in the Innovate UK Future Economy areas of:

Net Zero
Healthy Living and Agriculture
Digital and Technologies
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

All companies that pitch to Henley Business Angels and receive investment interest from our members are eligible to receive matched grant funding from the Innovate UK Future Economy Programme.

To find out more, visit the Innovate UK website.

HBA is sponsored by key strategic partners who help define and lead our mission, in addition to delivering key Commercial and Investment Readiness Workshops and other events:

NatWest is one of the UK’s biggest banking brands, serving over 19 million people in the UK. With a reputation for supporting entrepreneurs and fostering innovation, NatWest is positioned at the forefront of technology. Providing startup support in a myriad of ways, NatWest provides opportunities to entrepreneurs throughout their business journey, from set up, to scale, to exit.

NatWest provides far more than simply banking services, running Accelerator Programmes, providing incubator spaces, offering technological support and more, NatWest is the bank that entrepreneurs want to support their startup.

EY EY (Ernst & Young), a top global professional services firm and one of the “Big Four” accounting firms, operates in 150 countries with 395,000 employees across 700+ offices. Rebranding to EY in 2013, the firm emphasizes its mission of “Building a better working world,” driving long-term value for clients and society.

Innovation & Ecosystems
Through the Global Emerging Technology Ecosystem (GETE), EY fosters collaboration with startups and investors, focusing on technologies like AI, blockchain, data management, and cybersecurity. EY’s ecosystem strategy emphasizes mutual value creation and cultural shifts toward collaboration, leveraging its vast network to connect startups with industry leaders and foster innovation.

Sustainability & Growth
EY integrates sustainability and technology into its strategies, partnering with industry leaders to tackle complex challenges and drive transformative growth. This approach supports startups in scaling innovations while promoting a sustainable future.

Entrepreneurial Excellence
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ program celebrates outstanding entrepreneurs in innovation, financial performance, and social responsibility. Launched in 1986, it now spans 60+ countries, recognizing 400 winners annually from over 10,000 participants.

Potter Clarkson Potter Clarkson is a renowned intellectual property (IP) law firm with a history dating back to 1889. Specializing in a comprehensive range of IP services, it assists clients with patents, trademarks, litigation, licensing, and strategic consulting. The firm is particularly well-regarded for its work in sectors such as life sciences, energy, biotechnology, industrial chemistry, and engineering. With a strong international presence, Potter Clarkson operates offices across Europe.

Recognized for excellence, the firm consistently receives top rankings in the Legal 500 for its outstanding performance in patent and trademark law. It is known for handling complex cross-border matters and providing tailored services to startups, SMEs, universities, and blue-chip companies alike. Potter Clarkson also emphasizes creating IP portfolios that not only protect technology but generate significant business value.

HBA is also supported by:

HCR Law is a leading international law firm with expertise in supporting large corporations and early-stage businesses that are scaling quickly, covering everything from banking and finance to intellectual property and expanding internationally.

BDO is a public accounting, tax, consulting and business advisory firm, based in 162 countries worldwide and servicing organisations in both the private and public sectors.

FinanceHeads is a collaboration of qualified, experienced accountants who provide independent part-time finance director level support and guidance to the managers of SMEs.

HR Dept is an expert human resources service provider that helps businesses to outsource their HR needs, from employee documentation to law and regulation guidance.

Upcoming Events

Applications are open throughout the year, with presentations to HBA members held quarterly. Our upcoming Company Presentations Event to HBA members will be held on 5 September 2024. Applications for the next round are now closed.

HBA plans to host the next Company Presentations in person, with an option for those that can’t attend in person to join via live stream.

The timetable for the current round can be found here.

News and Events

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