INSIGHTS / News

Angel Academe, which invests in ambitious, highly scalable tech businesses with at least one female founder, has joined SETsquared’s affiliated network of angel investors as part of the Investor Partnership Programme – which is currently open for applications.

Funded by Innovate UK, the £80m programme enables early-stage, innovation-led businesses to raise non-dilutable grant funding, up to £900k, for R&D projects aligned to our Future Economies alongside Angel co-investment.

Angel Academe joins ten other angel networks that are specifically interested in early-stage, deep tech/science-based business investments, partnering with SETsquared on this pivotal opportunity.

Sarah Turner, Co-Founder & CEO, Angel Academe says: “This type of funding is extremely attractive to both founders and investors as it increases runway without additional dilution, making the investment less risky. Being part of this programme will bring significant additional funding and value into our investment rounds. We’re excited that our first co-investment will be with the brilliant medtech company DemDX, led by Lorin Gresser, which has developed an AI-enabled clinical reasoning platform to support patient assessment and treatment, helping to solve critical healthcare resource shortages.”

Christopher Hill, Investment Programme Manager, SETsquared says: “It’s fantastic that Angel Academe have joined the already incredible line-up of angel networks that we have backing this programme. Here at SETsquared, we are committed to increasing investment in female-led tech start-ups, so it’s great to have the Angel Academe onboard supporting us on this mission.”

How does the Future Economy Fund work?

Following an expression of interest, companies will be selected to apply. If successful, you will benefit from professional support to prepare your grant application to Innovate UK, but please note that you must already have a letter of intent from one of our 11 angel investor partners.

There are currently 11 Angel networks involved in this scheme, all of which are specifically interested in early-stage, deep tech/science-based business investments.

 Who can apply?

The Scheme is open to applications from existing SETsquared Scale-Up members and any innovation-led SME with high growth ambitions based in the South, South West, West of England or Wales.

You must be an early-stage business raising investment for an R&D project that meets the Innovate UK criteria of being a feasibility study, industrial research, or experimental development. You must be innovating in the areas of net zero, health & wellbeing or developing the next generation of digital technologies.

Applications are currently open for round two of the scheme, and subsequent rounds will open up every 2-3 months until March 2024.

The application deadline is 5 July.

Find out more & apply