Entrepreneurs

Overview

HBA welcomes applications from entrepreneurs who are raising equity funds typically in the range of £50k to £250k to grow their businesses

The support provided to entrepreneurs is not only financial. HBA also provides mentoring and access to other services and networks.

HBA also offers a range of resources and answers to the questions that all entrepreneurs will at some point ask. A list of the resources and frequently asked questions can be found on our Resources and FAQs pages.

HBA invites applications from entrepreneurs seeking seed equity finance. If you are an entrepreneur or know of an entrepreneur, who is connected to Henley Business School or the University of Reading or is based in the Thames Valley area and is raising/planning to raise seed finance we would be delighted to hear from you.

Since HBA’s establishment in 2016, its members have invested just under £1.5 million in 30 companies, including OpenBlend, KYMIRA, Snaffling Pig, OKKO Health, Traced and BeneTalk. Members are in discussion with several other companies, exploring interest in making an investment, which bodes well for entrepreneurs seeking finance. The closing date for applications to the next round is 25 April 2022.

Entrepreneurs that wish to find out more about Henley Business Angels and discuss raising funds can contact Jurek Sikorski, the Director of Henley Business Angels, at jurek.sikorski@henley.ac.uk or 0118 378 8188.

Entrepreneurs seeking finance are invited to apply and submit via the ‘Apply for Funding’ link here.

Are you a business angel investor or looking to become one?

Membership is by application. Persons applying should have or wish to have a connection with the University of Reading and Henley Business School and will actively contribute to the achievement of HBA’s aim of supporting entrepreneurs through mentoring and investment. To learn more, please read our section for investors.

Before applying, entrepreneurs need to:

Check they are connected with the University of Reading or Henley Business School
Have a well-constructed business plan which identifies a need for investment, how much is required and how the money is to be used
Provide details of the management team, track record and reasons why they can deliver the business plan, as well as show what investment they have made in the business
Disclose financial projections and evidence same with underlying assumptions
Include details of their IP and strategy to protect and develop their IP
Specify the Pre-Money Valuation (PMV) of their business and how this has been determined
Describe a clear exit strategy
Share their pitch deck and cap table

Am I connected to the University of Reading or Henley Business School?

Being connected means being one of the following:

A graduate of the University (that includes Henley Business School)
A present/past delegate or participant on any course held by the University
A tenant of the University’s Thames Valley Science Park
An employer of a graduate of the University or a recruiter from the University
A past participant on the Innovation Catalyst Accelerator Programme
A collaborator with University in R&D
A knowledge transfer partner of the University
An employee of or supplier to the University
A partner of the Berkshire Business Growth Hub
A client of any of HBA’s partners and sponsors
The founder or CEO of a company invested in or advised by an HBA member
A member of the UKBAA
A business supported/advised or otherwise helped by University of Reading KTC
A founder whose business is based in the Thames Valley

Your Application

Applications to HBA are reviewed by a panel that considers the application against a range of investment criteria. The entrepreneur will be invited for interview only if it is felt the entrepreneur’s business meets these criteria and is investment ready, putting it in a good position to receive investment. HBA cannot guarantee the entrepreneur will receive investment, but the HBA team will help the entrepreneur with expert advice and introductions to other sources of finance.

If you think that you meet the investment criteria as set out in this section and you would like to apply to HBA for funding, we will be delighted to receive your application.

Please submit your application with supporting documents including your business plan via the ‘Apply for Funding’ link. The link will take you to a form on the Gust platform, which you will need to complete and submit. Please note that you will be asked to include a short video clip to support your application.

If you have any difficulties submitting your application online, please refer to the following guide or contact Alex Baker at a.j.baker@henley.ac.uk

Ready to Apply?

Once you’ve followed the instructions here, submit your application to Henley Business Angels with the link below.

Apply for Funding

Terms and Conditions

Entrepreneurs’ attention is brought to the Entrepreneur Terms and Conditions governing investment by HBA members.

By applying to HBA you are confirming your agreement with the Entrepreneur Terms and Conditions. If, following a review of your eligibility, HBA accepts your application, the Entrepreneur Terms and Conditions come into effect and you and HBA will each be bound by them. The Terms and Conditions include (among other terms) agreement that you will pay a success fee of 4% (plus VAT at the applicable rate) to HBA on all monies invested by Members of the Network or Guests of HBA as defined under the Terms and Conditions. Please read the Entrepreneur Terms and Conditions carefully before proceeding with your application.

ENTREPRENEUR TESTIMONIAL

“Of the Angel Networks that I have pitched to, Henley Business Angels not only has one of the most thorough vetting processes, but has also been one of the best run on the night. The quality of the companies I have pitched alongside has been outstanding and the appetite of the investors very high. As such the percentage of companies successfully raising funds is reflective of this. KYMIRA has raised with HBA members twice, and will no doubt return in the future.”

Tim Brownstone, CEO of KYMIRA

www.kymira.co.uk