Investors reap rewards of partnerships with Angels@Essex

Investors have been reflecting on the success they have enjoyed after teaming up with Angels@Essex, as the investment platform publishes its annual report.

Angels@Essex has been supporting businesses for four years now, registering 200 high net worth individuals, syndicates and fund managers with global reach.

Some 157 innovative founders have been guided through Angels@Essex's tailored investment readiness process and so far 117 of these have collectively raised £77m equity since they joined the Angels@Essex programme.

Among the companies who have flourished after working with Angels@Essex is Appnalysis, which has created a Software as a Service product helping mobile app companies to better analyse their competitors.

Founder Mark Thomas said: "I prepared a pitch deck to raise investment for Appnalysis with assistance from the team of mentors. It's been a great door opener.

"As a result of the association with the University of Essex, we've managed to get in front of a few London-based investment groups for talks. We are yet to seal a deal, but discussions are well underway and we're feeling very positive about the progress we've made so far."

Fellow investor Dr Eric Warner added: "Working with John and the team has allowed me access to incredibly valuable ideas sitting within universities that require a non-scientist entrepreneur to estimate which ones could become a commercial venture.

"Over the past four years the University of Essex has provided the platform that enables investors to access this academic talent but has embraced the wider business community as well, regardless of sector."

Angels@Essex is aiming to fine-tune its approaching to funding to foster more spinouts from the university and attract a wider range of start-ups from outside.

Other plans include regular live pitch events and the creation of an Angels@Essex fund.

John Stenhouse, Business Support Manager at Essex, said: "Four years ago, the University of Essex founded Angels@Essex to address a perceived gap in the market where founders with innovative ideas weren't getting any visibility to the investment network.

"We have worked with over 600 highly innovative businesses, and 117 of those have managed to generate £77 million worth of equity investment, which we consider to be a true success."