Last year, AIN commissioned a Founder survey that, amongst other things, revealed the mental health toll of life as an entrepreneur. In our latest insight piece we hear from Maryam Meddin, founder and CEO of private mental health clinic the Soke on how founders can ride the waves of startup life.
It’s fairly predictable that, in a majority of cases, becoming a founder will bring at least a period of financial uncertainty, some lifestyle sacrifices, personal & professional risks and occasional glimpses into the soul-crushing abyss of an unpredictable global economy. Psychological decline, however, shouldn’t make it to the list of foregone conclusions – the secret is to take steps to mitigate the potential onset of creeping shadows.
Meet The Investor: Robin Leigh (Part 2)
Robin Leigh is a highly experienced private investor and deal structurer, with extensive knowledge of investing in the UK and Asia. In the second part of our interview, Robin tells AIN about his strategies for navigating evolving markets and the benefits an experienced investor can bring a startup as a ‘thought partner’. He also highlights the importance of understanding regional differences for startups raising funds in different territories.
As market trends and economic situations evolve, what approaches are you employing to mitigate risks while identifying promising startups?
My angel investment decisions generally start from hearing a great idea, then trying to understand for myself whether I think the sector, opportunity and so on all offer the potential the founder believes. Each time I go through this process I’m therefore considering the relevant market trends and economic situation as they affect the risks of the investment. Overall, though, I stay very close to geopolitical and macroeconomic events as I manage a much broader portfolio of both liquid and illiquid investments across multiple geographies so I try to remain aware of the risks and to balance my overall portfolio by adjusting holdings.
Meet the Investor: Robin Leigh
Robin Leigh is a highly experienced private angel investor and deal structurer, with extensive knowledge of investing in the UK and Asia. In the first of our two part interview, Robin details his shift from corporate finance to early-stage business support and the importance of trust and transparency in investor-founder relationships. He also reveals his key criteria for backing startups, why ‘under promising’ and ‘over delivering’ is key.
Why did you become an angel investor?
With my background as a qualified City lawyer, corporate finance adviser and McKinsey consultant I realised I had a wide range of skills, useful to small businesses but which they can’t typically afford. So as well as investing I enjoy taking an active role in business-building where I can lend those skills to the startups.
Why 75% of startups fail and how to become one of the 25%
In a recent webinar hosted by Angel Investment Network, fundraising expert Alex Arnott shared invaluable insights on how startups can buck the trend of failure that will afflict the majority of startups. To avoid the fate of 75% of startups requires a lazer-like focus on the crucial role of founders and the senior leadership team. In the latest in our Investment ready series we break down the insights and reveal the top startup success strategies for founders.
The startup world is certainly not for the fainthearted. While many founders are driven by passion and innovative ideas, the statistics reveal a harsh reality: the vast majority of startups fail to achieve lasting success. This isn’t always due to a lack of talent or promising products. Often, the pitfalls lie in the execution, the management, and the strategic decisions made along the way.
Meet the Investor: Kelly Clifford
Kelly Clifford is an experienced CFO turned angel investor, who reveals the crucial financial insights startups often overlook. He discusses the incredible potential of ‘Tech for Good’, why transparency is key to successful startup-investor relationships and the single most impactful action founders can take to improve their financial health
Why did you become an angel investor?
Most entrepreneurs are exceptional at building products and solving problems, but they often struggle with the financial side—whether it’s unit economics, pricing strategy, or financial forecasting. As an experienced CFO, I bring a unique combination of financial numeracy, empathy, and entrepreneurial experience to help them navigate these challenges.
How to support startups scale in a Pro-Tech Britain
The UK has the potential to become a global tech powerhouse, but are we truly maximising our opportunities? A recent event that AIN attended, “UK 2.0 Building a Pro-Tech Britain,” hosted by Digital Frontier brought together industry leaders and policymakers to discuss the challenges and, more importantly, the immense potential of the UK tech scene.
The consensus was clear: the UK has the ingredients to support startups as they grow, but it need to address some critical issues to truly flourish. Joe Hill from public services think tank Reform set the stage, acknowledging that while the UK faces “huge problems,” they are “fixable.” He emphasised the UK’s unique appeal and the fact it was ‘underpriced’.
He made the point that “Few countries have such an appeal…people want to be here.” This inherent attractiveness, coupled with our existing strengths, forms a solid foundation upon which to build. The challenge lay in the institutional factors hampering growth.
Aura Funerals secures £750,000 through Angel Investment Network to revolutionise end-of-life planning
Aura Funerals, the digital end-of-life planning and funeral service, has announced a successful £750,000 funding round through Angel Investment Network. This marks Aura’s third successful raise through the network. The funds were raised as part of a larger £3.2m growth funding round.
Aura Funerals, launched in 2019, is transforming the funeral care process by digitising and simplifying arrangements, making them more affordable and flexible. The company prioritises compassionate support and offers comprehensive planning resources to assist families during challenging times. Following recent market changes, it is one of fewer than 30 FCA-regulated funeral providers.
Startup Essentials: Reverse-Engineer Your Pitch Deck for Investor Success
Your pitch deck is the gateway to securing the funding you need to turn your vision into reality. Yet so many founders fall at this hurdle. In our latest Startup Essentials article we hear from pitch deck coach Malcolm Lewis on creating effective pitch decks that attract investors. He highlights the need for two versions of the deck: one for sending ahead and a more concise one for presentations. Plus why the strength of the pitch needs to win out over a flashy design.
At its core, a pitch deck is the combination of your pitch (your story) and your deck (your slides). However, too many founders lose focus, prioritising eye-catching designs and flashy graphics at the expense of a clear, compelling pitch.
Meet the Investor: Colin Boey
Colin Boey is a global investor and syndicate leader, renowned for his strategic insights and successful ventures in the B2B SaaS sector. With a keen eye for innovation and growth, Colin’s discusses the importance of founder-investor alignment and common fundraising misconceptions. He has also shares his views on the ongoing benefits of SEIS/EIS for the UK’s startup landscape and why he’s not chasing AI ‘for the sake of it’.
Why did you become an angel investor?
I’ve always been fascinated by tech. Before becoming an angel investor, I focused on investing in publicly listed tech companies. During my time as an investment banker, I advised on fundraises for high-growth private companies, which introduced me to the world of early-stage venture and angel investing. It felt like a light bulb moment.
The Year of the Angel? Dos and Don’ts for Attracting Investors
The new year is a great chance to reset your fundraising plans and develop positive new habits. In today’s economy, raising funds requires more preparation and strategic thinking than ever. So, what resolutions should you make?
Our latest article as part of our ‘investment ready’ series provides essential “dos and don’ts” for startups seeking funding, drawing on expert insights from our brokerage team and angel investors across our network. Let’s make 2025 the year of the angel.
Meet The Investor: Joanna Jensen
In our latest Meet The Investor interview, we are delighted to hear from Joanna Jensen, chair of the Enterprise Investment Scheme Association (EISA), and founder of Childs Farm. She discusses her motivations for backing challenger brands to the key foundations of investor-founder relationships. She also looks at current market trends, the importance of social responsibility, and what the UK Government needs to now do to better support the UK’s startup ecosystem.
Why did you become an angel investor?
Because I have an absolute belief that Challenger Brands deliver consumers and businesses what they need, as opposed to what big businesses think they need. The journey an SME takes is full of twists and turns – some fabulous, some horrific – and I understand this better than many. To be able to be a sounding board to other founders, helping them on their journey to success is a real honour. And it gives me the ability to go on their journey with them in a very small way – and without any stress! Owning M&S shares is a little dull in comparison.
Startup Essentials: The Art of Financial Storytelling
Securing angel investment requires more than just a great idea. Investors increasingly scrutinise a founder’s financial acumen. In out latest Startup Essentials article, we hear from from Charlie Robinson, managing director at ScaleUp Finance, on why a structured approach to financial management is crucial for demonstrating your business’s potential and attracting the right investors.
For startup founders, the journey to securing angel investment often begins long before that first investor meeting. While groundbreaking products and compelling visions are essential, investors increasingly expect to see structured financial management that demonstrates your business acumen and growth potential.
Startups must adapt to win investment in 2025 – global survey findings
Our recent global research of startups across the AIN network highlights some of the key challenges facing startups seeking fundraising. But how can they overcome them and win investment in 2025? To succeed, startups must adapt to changing macro-economic conditions, prioritise their own mental well-being, and truly understand the investor’s perspective. Let’s deep dive into the findings.
There are signs of a resurgence in global confidence in the investment landscape as we face 2025. This was a key finding from our global survey of startups in three of our largest territories, the USA, UK and Australia.
Meet The Investor: Hailey Eustace
In our second Meet The Investor interview, we speak to Hailey Eustace, founder of Commplicated and now a passionate DeepTech angel investor. Driven by her desire to work with companies and founders she truly believes in, Hailey shares her journey from entrepreneur to investor, the unique opportunities in deeptech and the qualities she values most in founders.
Why did you become an angel investor?
I worked as a deeptech VC over ten years ago in the US and really enjoyed it and since then I have worked in deeptech, including at a neurotech startup in Cambridge for five years helping it to grow from preseed to series A+.
Meet The Investor: Phil McSweeney
Today, we launch a new content series to help startups become #investmentready for 2025. In the first of our Meet The Investor interviews we speak to Phil McSweeney, angel investor and author of AngelThink. He shares how a chance encounter led to his successful career as an angel investor. Additionally, he discusses the key factors that drive investment decisions, the common pitfalls founders face, and the strategies for building strong relationships between investors and startups.
Why did you become an angel investor?
OK – here’s the truth – I became an angel investor by accident. I had been made redundant, had time on my hands whilst wondering what to do next and went along to an angel group meeting as a guest. I got hooked on the storytelling.
Startup Essentials: Building a More Sustainable and Efficient Website
The digital world’s carbon footprint is rapidly growing, with AI and other technologies increasing energy consumption. In our latest Startup Essentials article Paul Laroy from digital innovation agency 7DOTS discusses how Startups can build websites that are both sustainable and also enhance user experience.
While we diligently track our carbon footprints through transportation, diet, and home energy use, the digital world’s growing environmental impact often goes unnoticed.
As advancements like Generative AI demand increasingly intensive processing power, this digital footprint is poised to surge. Studies estimate that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) contributes 2-4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, roughly equivalent to the aviation industry.
80% of Australian Startups optimistic about 2025
Australian startups are upbeat about their prospects for the next year, despite a challenging fundraising climate.
According to a survey conducted by Angel Investment Network, the world’s largest online angel investment platform, 80% of startups polled in Australia revealed they are optimistic about the next year. 48% are very optimistic and 31% quite optimistic. This compares with just two thirds of UK startups (68%) in a separate survey.
The survey gauged the outlook for startups in the present climate, with the Australian network being one of AIN’s largest globally. Looking ahead, the survey reveals that securing investment is the biggest challenge for 71% of founders. This was followed by hiring the right talent (35%), product innovation and development (31%) and work/life balance (24%).
Startup Essentials: Strategic Sales Execution for Founders Without Sales Experience
Selling to B2B mid-market and enterprise can be a daunting task for startup founders. However, a strategic sales approach can transform challenges into opportunities. In our latest Startup Essentials article we hear from Charles Talbot, Co- Founder of Closing Foundry, on five key benefits of a disciplined sales process and some actionable tips to help founders tackle winning new business with confidence.
Sales can often feel like a daunting mountain to climb, especially for founders with no prior sales training or experience. However, mastering the art of strategic sales execution is essential for any startup founder selling into B2B mid market or enterprise prospects.
What does the Chancellor’s Budget mean for entrepreneurs?
Following last week’s UK Budget which included £40bn of tax rises, Joanna Jensen, entrepreneur and chair of the Enterprise Investment Scheme Association (EISA) talks through what the measures mean for the UK’s entrepreneurs
Since the double whammy of COVID and Brexit, startups and scale ups have been experiencing belt tightening; liquidity is scarce, the cost of goods has risen enormously and international export legislation is nothing short of a headache.
Many small firms are facing chronic staffing issues, from the long-term sick, a severe lack of workers in the hospitality and services industries, and many now reluctant to return to the office. A new government talking about growth was a much-needed boost – until the whispers started circling about their intention to remove every lever in the toolbox used to support business growth. The constant finger pointing at the previous Government feels like an intentional distraction from the fact that they are a collective of business virgins.
Navigating the Startup Funding Maze in 2024
Today AIN launches the first results from our 2024 Founder survey. In this article we deep dive into the results from our UK survey and what the takeouts are for startups seeking funding in a new climate.
To mark our 20th anniversary we launched a founder survey so we could hear from the founders across the network and take the temperature of startups in 2024. We wanted to gain a deeper understanding about your fundraising challenges, your successes and life as a startup founder. Today we are releasing the first set of findings from our UK founders.