Background
The Thames Valley Investment Network was established in 2003 through an initiative supported by the Thames Valley Economic Partnership, Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire and SEEDA, and is a trading name of the Oxfordshire Investment Opportunity Network Limited.
The Thames Valley Region
The Thames Valley is the most dynamic, energetic region in Europe. Operating at the cutting edge of technology, the region is an area with the largest group of scientists and technologists anywhere in Europe.
As one of Europe's most successful regions, there is a strong and growing need from companies who wish to access funding and business expertise, and an ever increasing number of investors who are seeking high-quality investment opportunities.
The Thames Valley is also the location of choice for UK and overseas entrepreneurs seeking to build businesses in information technology, software, telecoms and the life sciences in Europe, thus creating the ideal environment for a business angel network like TVIN.
Aims
The Thames Valley Investment Network is a business angel network that focuses on innovative, early-stage technology companies with high growth potential, predominantly within the Thames Valley region. TVIN aims to link entrepreneurs seeking business development funds with individual business angels and other investors.
TVIN Focus
TVIN has a general focus on early-stage innovative technologies, including:
- General Technology
- IT / Software / Wireless
- Media Technologies
- Media Creative Arts
- Lifestyle
- Green technologies
Entrepreneurs and presenting companies are typically looking for £150K to £750K of investment from Business Angels, who often provide management experience and contacts as well as capital. For companies, TVIN provides active investors who can add value to growing businesses.
Investors are typically looking to invest in early-stage companies with entrepreneurial flair and high-growth potential in growing, accessible markets, in exchange for equity investment. For investors, the Network offers access to a rich source of investment opportunities in early-stage ventures predominantly within the Thames Valley region.
Special Interest Groups
- TVIN Media has evolved to give a special focus towards investment in the established, but growing media technology sector in the Thames Valley.
- TVIN Creative Arts Forum has been established to help raise equity investment into Film, Television, Theatre and other crative arts projects.
- TVIN Green Technology is the latest SIG in the TVIN portfolio and aims to connect specialist environmental and green technology companies to an increasing number of investors interested in sustainable water, waste and energy technologies and products.
Track Record
Operating along the length of the Thames Valley, in the four years since inception, TVIN has helped 43 companies to raise £20M. The average investment raised by presenting companies through TVIN to date is £250K.