Angels Den is the Europe's first and largest online investment platform that connects businesses with angel investors. It was founded in 2013 and is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Angels Den - now Angels Den Funding - offers an online investing platform, which allows investors to invest in pre-vetted

SMEs Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) systems store energy in the magnetic field created by the flow of direct current in a Superconductivity, superconducting coil which has been Cryogenics, cryogenically cooled to a temperature below ...

. 92% of Angels Den funded companies since 2013 are still active today. Angels Den is headquartered in Emerson Court, Islington, London, and also has a presence in Poland and Romania, constantly looking for new opportunities to extend.

History

The process of matching business owners and investors was initially done online, but in July 2008 Angels Den introduced the concept of "SpeedFunding" where entrepreneurs pitch to investors on a one-to-one basis. In July 2013 the runner-up of the BBC television series

The Apprentice ''The Apprentice'' is a reality talent game show franchise originally aired in 2004 in the United States. Created by U.S.-based British producer Mark Burnett, the show depicts contestants from around the country with various professional backg ...

, Luisa Zissman, found 16 investors to fund her new business through Angels Den. In October 2013 Angels Den launched an online platform and a new rebranded website. Angels Den Funding is currently led by CEO Abhilasha Dafria, the youngest and first female CEO of an ethnic background in the company.

Model

Angels Den is an online investment platform promoting investment in pre-vetted SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises - see SME finance.) Investors often play an active role in the business, providing the initial funding, expertise and contacts to drive growth. Once an anchor investor is on board, Angels Den opens funding to other investors. Angels Den provides various offline pitch events such as "SpeedFunding" events, where entrepreneurs present short

elevator pitch An elevator or lift is a cable-assisted, hydraulic cylinder-assisted, or roller-track assisted machine that vertically transports people or freight between floors, levels, or decks of a building, vessel, or other structure. They are ...

es to numerous investors on a one-to-one basis. Angels Den also runs "Angel Club" events for pre-screened businesses, as well as private viewings. In addition to this, Angels Den offers free, informative masterclasses to improve knowledge in all areas of investing.

EIS and SEIS

The

Enterprise Investment Scheme The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) is a series of UK tax reliefs launched in 1994 in succession to the Business Expansion Scheme. It is designed to encourage investments in small unquoted companies carrying on a qualifying trade in the United Ki ...

was launched in 1994. According to

Michael Portillo Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo (; born 26 May 1953) is a British journalist, broadcaster and former politician. His broadcast series include railway documentaries such as '' Great British Railway Journeys'' and '' Great Continental Railway Jour ...

, the EIS' purpose is "to recognise that unquoted trading companies can often face considerable difficulties in realising relatively small amounts of share capital. The new scheme is intended to provide a well-targeted means for some of those problems to be overcome". The EIS covers five separate forms of tax relief: 30% Income tax relief, Capital Gains Tax Deferral Relief, CGT Freedom, Loss Relief, Inheritance Tax Relief. In August 2012

Chancellor George Osborne George Gideon Oliver Osborne (born Gideon Oliver Osborne; 23 May 1971) is a former British politician and newspaper editor who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2010 to 2016 and as First Secretary of State from 2015 to 2016 in the ...

launched the

Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) was launched by the United Kingdom government on 6 April 2012 in order to encourage investors to finance startups by providing tax breaks for backing projects they may otherwise view as too risky. SEIS ...

which aims to "increase the generosity on the Enterprise Investment Scheme", as well as to " extend this scheme specifically to help new start-up businesses get the seed investment they need". The SEIS provides a 50% Income Tax relief against personal income tax as well as a 28% Capital Gains Tax relief on SEIS eligible investments of up to £100,000. Most businesses presented to angels via Angels Den and especially via the Tech Club are EIS or SEIS eligible.Dunsby, Megan. "Angels Den Tech Club Invests Six-figure Sum in Intelligent Positioning." Growing Business. 3 June 2013.

Example campaigns

Equity Equity pitches on Angels Den offer investors the opportunity to purchase shares in the company. Below are a few example of companies that have raised funding through this method:

References

External links