For Investor Members
TVIN offers access to a wide range of quality investment opportunities in early stage ventures from the Thames Valley region and beyond. Some are spin-out companies from major UK technology companies and universities or public and private sector research establishments.
TVIN Investor membership is mainly composed of private individuals, together with a few Venture Capital Funds, Venture Capital Trusts and Corporate Investors. The typical private investor or 'Business Angel' is a successful entrepreneur seeking to reinvest capital. Business Angels often bring management experience and contacts, as well as capital, to boost the development of early stage businesses.
Some Business Angels already have a portfolio of investments in unquoted companies and TVIN can help first-time investors make contact with these experienced investors through membership of the Network. After an investment has been made, some Business Angels look for a 'hands-off' role, while others seek involvement in the business, through a non-executive directorship or other role.
Screening Business Proposals
TVIN helps companies to ensure that their business proposals reach an 'investment-ready' state by offering advice on business plans and access to our Pre-Presentation Dry-Run Panel.
The Panel will typically include 1 or 2 TVIN investors, sector professionals from TVINs sponsors and the Network Manager.
These have extensive specialist experience working with early stage businesses and provide valuable practical advice to improve the presentations prior to the Investment Meetings.
TVIN screens business proposals to seek to ensure that they match our investor requirements.
Key criteria include:
- High growth potential
- A tangible market opportunity
- Intellectual property rights (IPR) or a defensible market position
- Proof of principle
- Entrepreneurial flair and commitment
- A sound commercial strategy for creating value within the business
How to join the Network and Fees
In most cases, the Network Manager will arrange to meet with new investors to assess their personal requirements and preferences for investment, and has a policy of inviting potential new members to attend one of the upcoming Investment Meetings as a guest to see for yourself how it all works and to familiarise yourself with the format.
Investors can then join by completing the online Registration form, or by contacting the Network Manager direct. If you register online, you will receive a confirming invoice after registration is approved.
Types of Membership
Individual Investor Membership - £175.00 + VAT (Annual Fee)
This membership identifies the individual Business Angel – Typically this membership will be offered to the self-certified 'high net-worth' or 'sophisticated' individual investor.
Corporate Investor Membership - £250.00 + VAT (Annual Fee)
This membership identifies the corporate organisations that work with the Network in a funding capacity, ie; Venture Capital Trusts, Venture Capital Firms, Independent Funding Organisations and Fund Management Companies, etc.
Business Membership - £750.00 + VAT (Annual Fee)
This membership identifies the professional services companies that are not direct sponsors or partners of the Network, but can provide enhanced business opportunities to the Network. This membership will be limited within each sector.
Self Certification for Private Investors under FSMA (2000)
The FSMA (2000) requires investors to be certified as 'high net-worth' or 'sophisticated' investors. As a result of a legislative change, in March 2005, after consultation with stakeholders, the Financial Services and Markets Act (2000) was amended to remove the requirement for business angels to gain certification as 'high net-worth' or 'sophisticated' investors through an FSA regulated third party such as an accountancy firm.
Instead, investors are now able to 'self-certify' by meeting simple criteria such as 'high net-worth' or 'sophisticated' investors and downloading, printing and signing a simple form, which can then be used in the same way as the certificates previously issued by FSA regulated third parties.
HMT has published an explanatory note to outline the changes to 'the Act' or contact the TVIN Network Manager to discuss self-certification further. The actual certificates for TVIN investors, are also available as 'high net-worth' or 'sophisticated' investor versions.
Please contact us for further advice and guidance.
Benefits to Investors
Benefits of the Network for Investors
- High quality, screened and selected proposals
- High-growth technology and other businesses
- Face to face contact with presenting companies
- Regular investment meetings and networking opportunities
- Support for the investment process
- An ongoing programme of Investor Workshops looking at specific areas of interest to angel investors
- Detailed summaries of investment opportunities and quarterly Newsletter updates
Benefits of Angel Investment for Investors
- Equity stake
- Direct investment
- Potential high rewards
- Tax breaks
- Involvement in growing businesses
Additional Support from TVIN
- TVIN Legal and Due Diligence pack – contact for more information
- TVIN has established strong links with professional services providers, such as accountants, solicitors and banks
- TVIN can help select an appropriate professional to assist investors with the funding process and business development issues
- TVIN has good contacts within the research and higher education institutions and can provide contact details where specialist technology advice is sought
PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU READ THE STATEMENT ON THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 AND COMPLETE THE DECLARATION OTHERWISE YOUR MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION CANNOT BE ACCEPTED.