Dorset Business Angels bring investors and entrepreneurs together in an online Dragons’ Den style pitching event
Dorset Business Angels (DBA) was established in 2013 with the aim of bringing investors and entrepreneurs together to help accelerate the growth of early stage businesses. DBA provides private equity investment opportunities to local high net worth and sophisticated investors.
Four times a year, companies are invited to attend an event at which they pitch their business to the savvy Angels in a Dragon’s Den type scenario. Angel investment might come from a single investor or two or three Angels pooling their funds to support a company. Any investments are in the form of an equity investment and investments are made across all sectors.
Virtual Pitches
The recent pandemic has meant that pitching to the Angels has now gone virtual as DBA Finance Review Chairman, Frank Guinn explains: “We had initially considered cancelling the quarterly pitches, but the businesses involved were keen for it to continue. So, we launched a virtual pitch platform.”
These feature five businesses, who had previously uploaded a three-minute video presentation to a DBA Members’ hub online platform. “An online Zoom seminar subsequently followed which enabled investors to connect with the pitching businesses, pose questions and register their interest.
“We have had some incredibly interesting pitches including: an energy storage systems and electric vehicle charging business; a start-up that has produced Europe’s first Prebiotic sparkling soft drink; a business offering a SMART solution for protecting any electrical device that can be connected to a standard mains power source; an award-winning business that has developed a ‘passive ventilation with heat recovery’ system which monitors safe levels of dust, pollen and smoke in homes and offices; and a business producing nutritional breakfast drinks.
Ian Girling, CEO of Dorset Chamber of Commerce & Industry is delighted that the DBA are able to work with businesses during these challenging times to help with funding, provide inspiration and mentoring. “Investment is needed, more than ever, and I commend the commitment of Dorset Business Angels to the business community in seeking to carry on with their investments through this new and innovative virtual platform.”
DBA is sponsored by Saffery Champness Accountants Investec Wealth & Management and Ellis Jones Solicitors for more details.
How to get involved in Dorset Business Angels
Entrepreneurs: Submit a one- page summary of your proposition, together with your Business Plan. Visit their website here and click on the Entrepreneur tab for full details on which financials are requested. There is also a Pitching Checklist on the website. Your application will then be screened by the DBA team who will contact you if they would like to shortlist your pitch for one of the Investors Pitch Events. If interest is shown at the pitch a follow-up and due diligence process is then pursued.
Investors: Dorset Business Angels welcomes potential new investors and new members, no previous investor experience is required. Anyone interested in joining the DBA at future events should get in touch here and dork on Investors to read more about this or call 0843 532 977l. There is never any obligation to invest in any of the pitches.
