Co-investment Programmes
Oxford Early Investments set to participate in £50 million Business Angel
Oxford Early Investments (OEI), a leading business angel network for early stage companies, is to participate in the Business Angel Co-investment Fund (Angel CoFund) announced by the government today that will provide £50 million to invest in high growth companies alongside business angels.
Together with its two sister investment networks, Oxford Investment Opportunity Network and Thames Valley Investment Network, OEI assists growing companies to secure crucial business development funding from £25,000 to £2 million.
OEI was one of five private sector partners who worked with Capital for Enterprise to develop the successful bid submitted to the Regional Growth Fund for the £50 million Angel CoFund.
The Angel CoFund will invest alongside business angel syndicates in growing companies. Its objectives are to boost the quality and quantity of business angel investing in England, and to support long-term, high quality jobs in high growth companies. The Angel CoFund will not be open to direct approaches from individual businesses who will be encouraged to put forward their investment propositions through business angel networks.
Chris Baker, manager of the OEI Network, said: “We are delighted that the Angel CoFund is now open for business. The scheme is partly modelled on a highly successful co-investment programme that OEI operated with Bank of Scotland during 2008 and we know from experience that the availability of government capital to match funds committed by angel investors will significantly boost angel investment, enabling high quality companies to grow and create employment.
“We look forward to working with our partners and Capital for Enterprise to facilitate deals and ensure that the Angel CoFund is an outstanding success.”
During the last four years, the OEI Network has helped 29 companies from across the UK to raise £3.6 million. They have included GroupSpaces, which raised initial funding through OEI to develop its innovative web management tool to organise groups, clubs and networks and went on to secure $1.3 million from US investors.
OEI and its two sister investment networks are managed by Oxford Innovation, a leading operator of coaching programmes and business and innovation centres for start-up and growing companies.
Bank of Scotland Growth Equity
in collaboration with Oxford Innovation’s investment networks
This £2m Co-Investment Programme was available for companies seeking funding through the Network starting January 2008. We are delighted to confirm that under the Co-Investment Programme 13 companies have successfully raised £4.2m from OION business angels and the BoSGE which allowed them to leverage a further £4.2m investment from non OION investors.
IQ Capital ECF Fund
For further information please contact Henrieta Sanislova on 01865 261 484