Angel Investor Member Profile

Angel investing: Anglia Capital Group

Angel Investors look to the long-term potential financial reward. But many also enjoy being involved with a young company and helping new entrepreneurs to succeed. In this way, Angel Investors provide more than just capital – their business experience, industry knowledge and contacts are all vital to helping entrepreneurs on their way to success.

Sustainability is a big motivator for investment across the Anglia Capital Group membership base.

In this article, we chat to one of our newer members, Helen Withers, who recently invested in Green-Tech company AgriSound, about her approach to Angel Investing.

How did you come to Angel Investing?

I built a specialist insurance business in Colchester from start-up to exit between 2003 and 2016 and then remained as CEO for three more years. Over the last couple of years, I’ve looked to build a portfolio of roles where I can support and add value in different ways to a range of entrepreneurial businesses.

What attracted you to Angel Investing?

Investing in start-ups is a way of voting for the things you believe in, and sustainability is absolutely on my list of things that I care about and want to invest my time and capital in. It’s hugely important to me to support businesses with a similar agenda to mine, so being sustainable or showing sustainability aims, is something I look out for. Plus, it also makes sense from a financial perspective.

What do you look for in a start-up?

I want to connect with the business – with both the management team and the sector. Connection with the people involves building trust in them as individuals and confidence in their expertise in their sector. Ultimately, I want to feel that the business mission is something that I’m happy to support and that the management team is well placed to deliver on its objectives.

What drew you to want to invest in AgriSound?

I find the business interesting and resonate with its aims. Its mission to interpret the sounds of nature to help farmers and growers to maintain an optimal pollination environment is worthwhile and in line with the increasing global focus on sustainability and biodiversity.

Casey Woodward, AgriSound Founder, was happy to devote time to discussions with potential investors. He demonstrated a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a high level of technical knowledge and expertise. These factors, plus evidence of strong financial management, made the proposition something that I was delighted to support.

Anglia Capital Group offers prospective Angels the chance to attend one of our live pitching events. To find out more, please contact us on the details below.

Investment in early-stage companies involves risks such as illiquidity, lack of dividends, loss of investment and dilution.  Investment in start-up companies should be considered as part of a diversified portfolio.