Starting your first fundraise under the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) can feel like learning to sell the plane while you’re still building it. You’ve got ambition, a strong idea, and maybe an MVP — but little traction or revenue. That’s precisely where angel networks come in. At this early stage, finding investors who understand high risk and long horizons can make all the difference between momentum and stall.
Early-stage funding in the UK has become more competitive and cautious. Equity deal volumes dropped over 15% in 2024, with pre-seed and seed rounds falling fastest. At the same time, the government’s SEIS and EIS schemes continue to anchor private investment in early-stage startups — with 3,780 companies raising £1.57 billion through these schemes in the most recent tax year.
For SEIS-eligible founders, this matters. Angel networks are among the most active users of SEIS and EIS, often forming syndicates to spread risk while backing startups at concept or prototype stage. Many UK angels won’t even look at a company unless it’s pre-approved for SEIS — so preparing that certification early can be your ticket to a first conversation.
An angel network is a group of private investors who pool capital, deal flow, and expertise to invest in startups collectively. Unlike venture funds, angels invest their own money — typically £10k–£150k each — and often provide hands-on mentoring or introductions alongside capital. Networks like Angels Den, Envestors, and Cambridge Angels are among those regularly funding SEIS-stage startups across the UK.
Some networks focus nationally, reviewing hundreds of pitches each year, while others — like NorthInvest or Green Angel Syndicate — concentrate on specific regions or sectors such as sustainability, clean energy, or AI.
Angel networks usually invest through syndicates of five to twenty members, pooling cheques into rounds typically worth £100k–£500k. At SEIS stage, the emphasis isn’t on revenue but on the quality of the idea, founding team, and scalability potential. Many networks support founders through structured pitch events or screening processes, often followed by informal Q&A sessions and due diligence.
Timelines vary: smaller networks can move from pitch to commitment in as little as a month, while larger groups may take up to three. Most require SEIS advance assurance from HMRC before committing funds.
When assessing angel networks, look beyond capital availability. Consider:
Stage fit – Some networks focus on post-revenue deals and may be too late-stage for SEIS founders.
Sector experience – Choose investors with experience in your market; their advice will be as valuable as their cheque.
Engagement style – Some angels take active roles in product or growth strategy; others prefer to stay hands-off.
Speed and structure – Ask how often they invest, how many deals they close annually, and how they manage follow-on rounds.
SEIS investment isn’t just about raising your first £250k — it’s about building your investor foundation. The right angel network brings credibility, mentorship, and early believers who help de-risk your next round. In a cautious UK funding climate, aligning with a strong SEIS-focused network can turn an early idea into a scalable business — faster and with more confidence.
Anglia Capital Group is a leading group of business angel investors in the East of England.
Anglia Capital Group was established in the Spring of 2014, to support spinouts, new ventures and growth businesses in both Norfolk and Suffolk: counties boasting expertise in food and agri/biotech, specialist engineering and energy.
Our members are both leading entrepreneurs and experienced business people united in their desire to invest in the next generation of businesses in East Anglia.
£30 million raised in 200 transactions since 2003…. Advantage Business Angels has been sourcing equity finance for early stage & growing businesses since 2003, since when over £30m has been raised in more than 200 transactions with a historical success rate ahead of the market norm.
We have reacted to changes in the marketplace, and with an ever greater number of new stage businesses seeking funding we have to concentrate on higher quality opportunities. Over the last 8 years our Members have made investments in 47 businesses with 70 transactions, raising £5.3m, with 60% of the clients who engaged with us receiving some or all of their funding.
Whether you are an entrepreneur or investor, get in touch now and see how we bring together businesses seeking investment with investors seeking to offer funding and experience to produce a win for all.
Please note however that our current investor preferences exclude B2C and FMCG propositions, and if your opportunity is in this category you may wish to widen your search elsewhere, as we will be unlikely to help you.
Apollo is an angel syndicate based in Edinburgh. Founded in 2013, our mission is to provide seed investment to new startups based in Scotland and to provide exciting investment opportunities for our members. We operate on a volunteer basis, with local business leaders giving their time to prepare companies for investment. We invest in companies on a one-off basis, and seek to provide early stage financing which is critical to getting off the ground whilst building a diverse portfolio for our members. We are passionate about growing young businesses, and we continue to develop our partnerships with larger scale investment firms across the UK to enable onward funding where required. We believe our model provides a great ‘light touch’ model for investors wanting to try something new and a great opportunity for local entrepreneurs.
Cambridge Capital Group, founded in 2000 has grown to a group of up to 60 investors who have invested over £50M in more than 100 hi-tech businesses in Europe's leading tech cluster. We are a private syndicate of business angels, private family offices, international investors, investment funds and co-investment vehicles : our goal is to support innovative early-stage technology ventures emanating from Cambridge, London, Oxford and other top innovation centres.
We work closely with universities, incubators and other angel networks to source sophisticated opportunities for our members. Members have access to our exclusive deal flow platform, monthly on-line pitching events and quarterly face-to-face pitching events. We enable members to syndicate investments with other leading business angels and co-investment funds. Our members bring strong commercial experience in technology entrepreneurship, and include of owners of substantial private companies in healthcare, engineering and private equity. As we are not regulated, members self-certify as High Net Worth Individuals or Sophisticated Investors.
Central Arc Angels (CAA) is a not-for-profit organisation supporting early-stage, high-growth businesses seeking equity investment in Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Buckinghamshire.
We connect local founders with angel investors while offering support, education, and training to help them become investment-ready. We are not a fund, an advisor or a syndicate, but a group of professionals dedicated to supporting early-stage businesses, job creation, and economic growth in the region.
