Archangels event to hear how follow-on funding addresses scale-up challenge

The role of Archangels in supporting Scottish companies to scale-up is to be highlighted this week at the business angel investment syndicate’s annual dinner for portfolio companies and investors.

Sherry Coutu C.B.E., entrepreneur, angel investor and non-executive director, will be speaking at the Edinburgh event Chorus 2018 where attendees will hear that in 2017, which was a record year of investment for Archangels, of the £17.3 million of investment led by the Edinburgh-based syndicate, £16.7 million was in the form of follow-on funding.

Since the start of 2018, Archangels has led further funding rounds totalling £4.4 million, of which £2.4 million has been in two further rounds of follow-on funding. Archangels also exited its investment in Oregon Timber Frame in March 2018.

Eric Young, Chairman of Archangels, said: “It is generally recognised that, here in Scotland, although we’re pretty good at encouraging and supporting start-ups, the greater challenge we face is in enabling these companies to reach the next stage in their development and reach the scale required to achieve real success.

“Scaling requires more than just access to capital but also to talent and to the appropriate networks that can help to make the right connections to help young companies grow and develop into world-beaters.

“At Archangels we are working with our companies to help them scale, to innovate and to create the high quality jobs and success which can make a significant contribution to the economy of Scotland.”

Sherry Coutu added: “From my own entrepreneurial journey, I know what a difference it can make to have patient investors with deep pockets and access to great networks. Growing a technology business is hard work and the right investor can make the journey a bit easier. Archangels’ track record in helping early stage businesses to scale is very impressive.”