Midlands Business Angel Network

Becoming a Minerva Business Angel

Minerva is always looking to attract new  investors, either as a database member only, a member of one of our syndicate investor groups or as a corporate venturer.

Whether you are experienced or new to the idea of business angel investment we hope to provide high calibre investment opportunities for consideration.

Registration joining forms are simple to complete and you have the option of just remaining on our database (free of charge) as a “solo” investor. We will regularly communicate details of opportunities we are working with along with updates on all activity.

Alternatively, if you prefer to be a more active member and actually see the companies present with a group of other investor members and enjoy listening to & taking part in discussions afterwards, or indeed possibly volunteering to join an investigation into a proposition, then joining one of the two investor groups, for which there is a small charge may be right for you. Both groups meet on the last Tuesday monthly, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon but, share a buffet lunch between sessions, when you also get the chance for a more informal chat with the prospective investee companies.  

Syndicate Groups - Venture Capital Funds – Corporate Venturers

Many investors prefer to see and meet the management team they are considering backing and viewing a proposal collectively with other like minded individuals in a structured but fairly relaxed way (for the investors anyway!), can be enjoyable and more informative than coldly reading a business plan.

The companies get the opportunity to pitch “one to many” and negotiate with a group of investors rather than having to undertake individual negotiations, whilst investors will usually benefit from other members experience & knowledge of a sector when considering the opportunity. 

We encourage members to take part in and help facilitate follow up investigation meetings, when they get the chance to ask the awkward questions but, also get to know the company and the key people better prior to deciding if they want to invest, when if required we will help co-ordinate the completion process. 

Venture Capital Funds – We do have a fairly wide network and often there are opportunities for Minerva to invest alongside professionally managed venture capital funds particularly those that specialise in co-investment with Business Angels. In 2010/11 a number of deals were completed alongside a number of funds – more detail can be found in our success story articles.

Corporate Venturing- We have a number of Private Limited Company members, who have no more privilages than the normal member but, it may be that their offer of investment could also include the sort of resource, help, exposure to new markets that ordinarily would not be easily available. They may therefore negotiate a slightly different deal than just ordinary shares as they are unable to claim EIS tax relief although other forms of tax incentives do exist for Corporate Venturers.   

Tax benefits

Through its Enterprise Investment Scheme the UK Government gives substantial tax benefits to UK investors in eligible private companies (Investments after 5.11.2011 now attract 30% income tax relief on the sum invested); capital gains are tax-free after 3 years.

Investment in Early Stage non-quoted companies is considered HIGH RISK

Although you may have seen an opportunity as part of one of the groups and accepted the deal structure agreed and will complete simultaneously, your final investment decison is the same as the “solo” investor and you invest as an individual and as such it remains your responsibility.  

Before making any investment, prospective investors are advised to take advice from a suitably qualified independent professional who is experienced in advising on investing in unquoted companies.

Find out more…

To become a Minerva Business Angel call Tim Powell on 024 7632 3114 or contact us using the form below.  Alternatively, if you download and complete our Minerva Investor Registration Form (PDF format) you can tell us more about your requirements so that (as we prefer) we can provide a service that is tailored to your needs.