Investors

Overview

Henley Business Angels exists because of its members, who support entrepreneurs through a combination of investing and mentoring.

Henley Business Angels is always delighted to hear from business leaders, self-made entrepreneurs, self-certified high-net-worth individuals, and existing angel investors interested in joining the network as an investor. Our network’s members represent a cross-section of business leaders from the communities of the University of Reading, including successful entrepreneurs, MDs/CEOs, partners, chairpersons and NEDs of private and public companies.

Why Become an Angel Investor?

First and foremost, business angels are genuinely interested in helping start-ups and early-stage companies to grow. Naturally, they are also seeking a return on their investment, both financial and time. Investments made through Henley Business Angels can qualify for tax relief, which is very generous under the SEIS and EIS schemes.

Business angel investors usually stay with a company over several years and through several fundraising rounds before exiting. Henley Business Angels facilitates the opportunity for angel investors to invest in companies that have been selected to present to the network, but also provides the avenue for introductions of an investor’s existing investments to the network for subsequent funding rounds, investment criteria permitting.

Becoming a Henley Business Angels member offers several benefits, including:

Access to high-quality and carefully selected investment opportunities from entrepreneurs with a link to the University of Reading and Henley Business School (including those in the Henley Start-Up Business Incubator)
Quarterly pitch presentation events and regular networking opportunities
Joining a supportive and friendly sophisticated investor network
Access to both current students from, and alumni of the University of Reading and Henley Business School through schemes such as the Reading Internship Scheme and Capstone Projects
Invitation to a full programme of events held at the Henley Business School throughout the year
An exclusive year’s free membership with UKBAA
Support throughout the investment process, including an exclusive discount to the UKBAA’s Angel Investor e-learning course
Detailed summaries of investments
Support through our established strong links with professional services providers, such as accountants, solicitors, and banks
Help to select an appropriate professional to assist investors with the funding process and business development issues
Access to our exceptional contacts within the research and higher education institutions that we can connect you with where specialist technical advice is sought

Nick Pendleton, a fellow HBA member, added:

“Over time I’ve realised that angel investing is a team sport. You need different perspectives and diverse experience to validate your due diligence, fellow investors on the cap table to keep up with what is going on and a friend to share a drink with to celebrate success or commiserate with when things don’t work out. I can’t think of a better place to find teammates and good businesses than Henley Business Angels.”

Why Henley Business Angels?

Along with the benefits above, by joining the Henley Business Angels, you have access to an investor network that is:

Praised by entrepreneurs that have pitched, as well as by members and guests who have made investments
Recognised for its professionalism being run by experienced business angels
Supported by a world-leading, triple-accredited business school
Reputable being constituted as a University of Reading subsidiary company and overseen by a supervisory board
Committed to supporting entrepreneurship as well as providing ethical investment opportunities
Aligned on purpose with all members self-certified as either HNWI or sophisticated investors
Rigorous in its selection of companies to present that follows a proven investment process
Accepted by peer networks evidenced by deal sharing and membership of UKBAA
Compliant with the rules and regulations governing angel investing
Welcoming and friendly making Henley Business Angels a great network to be part of and invest through

Regular Events Include:

Annual Members’ Dinner
and Summer Drinks Soiree

University of Reading and Henley Business School conferences, such as Engaging Business Presentations and Business Leaders’ Lectures

Regular events hosted by the University of Reading Entrepreneurship Society

Exclusive talks from expert guest speakers, business leaders and successful investments

Member Testimonial

“As a member of the Henley Business Angels, I have had the opportunity to get involved with a number of fantastic entrepreneurs and their ventures. We see businesses with new technologies, products and services and as well as investment HBA provides them with mentoring, contacts in supporting organisations, and potential customers. I have built good relationships with a number of fellow investors, supported ventures and invested in companies that have pitched at HBA events.”

Andrew Gaule

Why invest?

Investing in start-up and early-stage businesses can be very attractive for business angels, in terms of realising financial return on investment – though please note that there is no guarantee of a return.

In making a decision to invest, an angel investor needs to consider what they want from an investment, what they can offer an investment besides money, and how much time they can devote to the various activities involved with investing.

For more information, read the guide prepared by the UK Business Angels Association (UKBAA).

If you are interested in becoming a Henley Business Angels member, you can apply through our online application form here. You can download our Membership Terms and Conditions here. Please note that one of the conditions of membership is the payment of an annual fee of £300, which covers costs, including those surrounding the hosting of our Company Presentation Events.

If you would like more information regarding becoming a Henley Business Angels member, please contact Gareth Hawkins, Henley Business Angels Director, at g.hawkins3@henley.ac.uk.

When asked about his experience as a member, Jim Malone said the following:

“Joining Henley Business Angels has given me a unique opportunity to meet some of the brightest entrepreneurs in the Thames Valley and hear the exciting and innovative ideas for which they are seeking funding. I have had the privilege of discussing these in detail and have been able to provide my own perspective and support to help them get to the next level of growth and funding. Over the past year of involvement, I have personally invested in three separate and very different start-up enterprises, each with a novel proposition and disruptive approach to their markets. I look forward to continuing my involvement with the group and helping further young enterprises realise their full potential.”

Read about Jim’s experience as an angel investor and his membership of HBA in The Henley Standard.

Ready to join?

To apply to join Henley Business Angels as an investor, complete and submit the Investor Application Form linked below. The form is also available to access under the ‘Investor’ tab in the above menu.

If you have any questions concerning your application, email Gareth Hawkins at g.hawkins3@henley.ac.uk or Jurek Sikorski at jurek.sikorski@henley.ac.uk

Your application will be reviewed in confidence and you will receive a reply to inform you of the outcome.

More Information

Investment Criteria

Entrepreneurs

Funding Process

Investors