Raise with us
We offer multiple funding routes through NorthInvest and offer NED placement and mentoring opportunities. Our team also support eligible start-ups by providing free investor-readiness coaching.
We don't charge start-ups, instead charging a 3% success fee to investors in addition to funds raised.
We host monthly virtual pitch events to our investor network and work alongside VCs and funding bodies. We then facilitate introductions between any interested investors and entrepreneurs to begin the deal process. We work with corporate partners and collaborator funds to ensure both investors and entrepreneurs feel supported at every stage and can help with valuations, tax and accountancy, legal and IP, and HR support.
We're straight-talking and give honest feedback (in the friendliest way possible) so you can build a proposition that captures investor interest.
If we can't help you, we'll let you know and point you in the direction of someone who can!
How it works
1
Apply through our online investment application form
2
Have an initial meeting with an Entrepreneur Coach to discuss your proposition (don’t worry – we’ll let you know if you’re not eligible for support and point you in the direction of anyone who can!)
3
Receive free coaching and feedback sessions to refine your pitch deck
4
Take part in one of our monthly virtual pitch events to our angel and funder network. Should investors be interested, we’ll then connect you for an initial discussion.
5
Connect directly with any interested investors/funders for a one-to-one discussion, facilitated by our team
6
Receive support from our Investment team to guide you through the investment process and liaise with investors until an investment decision is made
Eligibility criteria
- Start-ups must be based in the North of England within any of the 11 areas of the Northern Powerhouse Region, or planning to relocate in the near future. (Cheshire & Warrington, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Hull & Humber City Region, Lancashire, Leeds City Region, Liverpool City Region, North East, Sheffield City Region, Tees Valley, York, North Yorkshire & East Riding)
- Start-ups who seek investment must use technology as a core component of their business and present a viable business proposition.
- Start-ups are looking to raise Seed Level up to Series A funding (typically £50k – £2m)
- Start-ups can be pre-revenue, however your proposition will gain more interest if you can evidence sales.
Not eligible? Keep reading to discover other ways we can help you grow your business
Resources
Understanding what to include in a pitch deck can be a frustrating addition to an already confusing investment process. We want to make your investment journey as hassle-free as possible, so we’ve put together resources to help you understand exactly what our investors expect to see and shed light on the investment process.
FAQs
We're not revenue-generating, can I still apply?
Yes – not every business that has successfully raised with us has been generating revenue at the time of pitching.
If you can demonstrate your market, clearly define your route to market strategy, develop a fool-proof revenue model, and have a team to deliver, angel investors may still consider investing in your business.
However, your chances of securing investor interest increase greatly the more developed your business is.
I have an idea for a business, but need support to get started, can NorthInvest help?
Yes. If you are at the ideation or concept stage, it’s too early to seek investment through us. However, we work with partners who help start-ups develop their business plan and prepare for investment.
We’re also well-connected in the start-up ecosystem, so if we can’t help you, it’s likely we know someone who can!
Do you charge fees to start-ups?
No. NorthInvest provides free support to start-ups and instead charge the investors a 3% success fee plus VAT in addition to the total amount raised.
E.g. If your start-up raised £100k from NorthInvest angels, we would charge them £103k, and you would keep the £100k raised. Pretty good, right?
If we also help in placing a paid NED role, we may charge you a fee.
How long will it take from my initial application to complete a fundraise?
Every proposition is different. Some applicants will have their SEIS/EIS assurance in place, a polished pitch deck, external investors committed and a validated business plan. These applicants can expect to pitch 1 – 2 months after their application.
It can then take an average of 6 months to complete a fundraise. Once investors are involved, you also need to be prepared to manage those ongoing relationships.
For applicants who need some more work, our Entrepreneur Coaches will help you prepare for up to 4 months, or introduce you to one of our partners who specialises in investment readiness and business support for early stage start-ups.
You need to be sure that angel investing is right for your business and explore all other options available, such as grant funding or small business loans.
How often are your pitch events and will I get to pitch?
We host monthly virtual pitch events with the Innovation SuperNetwork for tech and digital start-ups. We can also support female-led businesses of other sectors through our quarterly virtual pitch events at Fund Her North with GC Angels.
We cannot guarantee a place at a pitch event or investment. Investors invest at their own discretion.
Who attends NorthInvest pitch events?
We have an angel network of over 220 private investors and 15 representatives from funding partners. On average, 25 investors and funders will attend our monthly pitch events with the Innovation SuperNetwork. Our corporate partners are also invited to attend. These individuals can offer expert advice around tax, legal aspects of the deal process, and more.
Your proposition will be shared with our whole investor network, however, so angels who can’t attend the pitch event won’t miss out – and neither will you!
What entrepreneurs say
Who we work with
Innovation SuperNetwork
We co-host our virtual pitch events with the Innovation SuperNetwork to connect start-ups with the North East investor community at the Newcastle Angel Hub. Innovation SuperNetwork also offer investor readiness support through their Access to Finance programme, as well as work with the UKBAA to deliver educational workshops for investors and entrepreneurs.
Fund Her North
Fund Her North a supportive funder community of over 28 women in investment with a collective investment power of £450m. NorthInvest co-founded Fund Her North to increase the flow of investment to female-led businesses. We co-host monthly public pitch events with GC Angels, as well as deliver community events throughout the year. Fund Her North also hosts the North's first women-only angel syndicate, the Women Angels of the North. For more information on how you can get involved in either of these initiatives, visit their website.
Innovate UK
Innovate UK is the UK's national innovation agency, supporting business-led innovation in all sectors, technologies and UK regions. Our relationship with Innovate UK has developed through the Regional Angel Investment Accelerator (RAIA) Programme, which seeks to encourage investment in innovative early stage companies across the North. NorthInvest is part of a consortium led by the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC), which also comprises of the Innovation SuperNetwork and the UKBAA.
Bethnal Green Ventures
Our partnership brings together the expertise and funding base of BGV, who are Europe’s leading early-stage tech for good VC, with the northern connections and well-established angel network of NorthInvest.
We're collaborating with Bethnal Green Ventures to share and promote tech for good investment opportunities across the region. In 2021, we're also collaborating to deliver two training workshops on preparing for investment, culminating in a dedicated Tech for Good pitch event in 2021. This will prepare up to 30 businesses to be ready for investment, with a selected group pitching to a business angels and funds with a specific interest in the sector.
Ada
Ventures
As part of an ongoing mission to diversify the investment industry and break down barriers for entrepreneurs, we partnered with Ada Ventures to support their Ada Scout programme, an initiative set up to address the imbalance of funding in underrepresented tech founders across the UK. As an Ada Scout, we share tech for good opportunities founded by underrepresented entrepreneurs, or developing solutions that cater to overlooked customer groups, such as BAME, ageing population, and LGBTQ+.