In the current economic climate we are seeing a significant increase in demand from entrepreneurs seeking alternative sources of investment together with a corresponding need to attract more business angels on a national and regional level.
In recognition of this need, North East Access to Finance has sponsored Entrust to organise a series of activities aimed at raising the awareness of business angel investment activity in the North East of England.
A regional event, to draw attention to angel investing and to highlight the benefits that being an angel investor can bring, was held on Thursday 4th March 2010. The seminar, hosted by Brewin Dolphin, marked the launch of a regional campaign to increase the number and capacity of angel investors in the North East and was attended by over 50 representatives from the early stage marketplace.
During the seminar the audience heard from:
- Graham Thrower (Board Member, North East Access to Finance);
- Anthony Clarke (Chairman, British Business Angels Association);
- A Panel of Investors; Chris Thompson, Alistair Arkley, John Josephs, Anthony Clarke;
- Natalia Blagburn (Investment Executive, North East Angel Match Fund);
- Jane Ridley (Head of Operations, Entrust).
Framed around a Q&A session with a panel of leading regional business angels, the event gave the audience an
opportunity to ask the panel about their investment experiences and to seek their guidance on specific issues.
Following the main awareness event two supporting master classes, with the aim
of giving existing and prospective angels more information about private equity investing, were held. The first master class on 25th March 2010 focused on two key areas; ‘Selecting and evaluating an investment opportunity’ and ‘Negotiating an equity investment deal’ with content delivered by partners from unw LLP and Ward Hadaway.
The second session on 22nd April 2010 saw NorthStar Equity Investors (now NorthStar Ventures) and Tait Walker deliver sessions on ‘Coaching for growth’ and ‘Exit Strategies’.
If you were unable to attend the main awareness event you can download slides from the seminar and an ‘Angel Investing Event Brochure’ from www.entrust.co.uk/news.asp?ID=83
Get in Touch
If you have an idea that you think will benefit the region in this area or would like to learn more about our work please don’t hesitate to contact us through our web site.
If you are running an event, a course or a conference that you think may be of interest to our users, and you would like us to add it to our events diary, please e-mail us the details at info@nea2f.co.uk.
We would also be interested to hear about any good new stories you may have that celebrate local business and entrepreneurship.
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