Over 175 participants from the early stage investment market gathered together last week in the contemporary surroundings of the Lowry Hotel, Manchester at the BBAA 6th Annual Awards, offering an opportunity to review the significance of angel investing under the new political era and the challenges ahead in a time of political austerity. The events were held in association with the Northwest Development Agency which showcased their new £185 million North West Fund.
The events kicked off with the BBAA Gala Awards dinner at which six awards were presented, recognising investors, networks, funds, entrepreneurs and practitioners, who in the past year have significantly contributed to the development of the angel and early stage investment market and to the successful growth of early stage businesses.
Anthony Clarke chair of BBAA said: “This Awards event offers an opportunity to reinforce the importance of attracting more private sector investment into early stage growth businesses at a time when challenging choices are being made about the economy going forward”.
Simon Acland, experienced venture capitalist and author entertained the audience after dinner with some amusing tales from his witty and informative new book “Angels, Dragons and Vultures- How to tame the Your investors... and not lose your money!
The awards were presented by Stuart Rock - co-founder and editorial director at Caspian Publishing publisher of Real Deals and Real Business magazine. The winners were as follows:
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Early stage team of the year – Octopus Ventures
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Best Angel-VC deal of the year – Aspire Fund-Liquid Accounts,
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Best investment in clean-tech - Carbon Trust-Whitfield Solar
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Business angel network of the year - HALO
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Expert contribution to the early stage investment industry – Growth Investment Network East Midlands
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Early stage investment of the year – London Business Angels - Audioboo
EARLY STAGE TEAM OF THE YEAR
sponsored by: pro-manchester
Quote from the judges “The Octopus team have shown a high level of investment activity across a broad range of funds for early stage investing, having built long term momentum in the marketplace”
BEST ANGEL-VC DEAL OF THE YEAR
sponsored by MidVen Ltd
Winner - The Capital for Enterprise Aspire Fund investment in Liquid Accounts
Quote from the judges “This investment was made in the significant area of software as a service. The business had a strong management team with a significant involvement of women. The deal showed the value offered by the Capital for Enterprise Aspire Fund in leveraging significant levels of Angel investment”.
BEST INVESTMENT IN CLEAN-TECH
sponsored by Northwest Regional Development Agency
Winner – Carbon Trust investment in Whitfield Solar
Quote from the judges “Whitfield Solar has attracted a significant level of investment in an important area of clean-tech, offering practical domestic applications in solar energy and has developed a highly scalable marketing strategy”.
BUSINESS ANGEL NETWORK OF THE YEAR
sponsored by MBM Commercial LLP
Winner - Halo Northern Ireland
Quote from the judges “As a newly re-launched network, Halo has significantly built up its investor base in the past year, including instigating training for new investors and launching a new approved EIS fund to stimulate investment and syndication”
EXPERT CONTRIBUTION TO THE EARLY STAGE INVESTMENT INDUSTRY
sponsored by Angel Capital Group
Winner- Growth Investment Network East Midlands
Quote from Judges “GINEM provides an excellent example of a co-ordinated approach through awareness raising, capacity building events programme, a growing network of high net worths and encouraging participation amongst entrepreneurs with investment opportunities for growth”.
EARLY STAGE INVESTMENT OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Xenos - The Business Angel Network of Wales
Winner- London Business Angels for their investment in
Audioboo
Quote from Judges: “A considerable amount of money was invested in Audioboo n this significant area of new media, building on a range of strategic investors, whilst demonstrating the important business development contribution made through angel investment from LBA”.
