Launch of New Business Angel Network for Early Stage Companies

Over 100 investors, entrepreneurs and leading business figures gathered in Oxford on 17 November 2004 to mark the Launch of Oxford Early Investments (OEI), a new business angel network that will help innovative companies at the very early stages of technical and commercial development raise investment capital of up to #150,000.

OEI has been established by Oxford Innovation, and builds on the success of its other investment networks, including Oxfordshire Investment Opportunity Network (OION), which regularly closes deals of between £200,000 and £2m.
Alastair Cavanagh, Manager of Oxford Early Investments, explained:
"Oxford Early Investments (OEI) complements OION by providing investors with opportunities that are at an earlier stage than those selected to present to OION. OEI is providing a unique service for these very early stage companies they typically need investment capital of between £20,000 and £150,000 to develop their products beyond an initial proof of concept, but this stage of company growth is often the most difficult to fund. OEI links the companies with investor members who can often provide management input and contacts, in addition to vital capital.
There is significant investor demand for access to high quality, selected investment opportunities, which offer the potential of high growth and reward, so OEI should fill a gap in the market for both entrepreneurs and investors."
OEIs Launch Meeting enabled six companies to present their opportunities to an audience of investors. It was followed by a Celebratory Reception for the companies, investors, sponsors and invited guests from Oxfordshires business community and beyond, including Hugo Brunner, Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, and Sir Martin and Lady (Audrey) Wood, founders of Oxford Instruments plc.
Mr Cavanagh concluded:
"OEI has attracted a wide range of support, and I would like to thank our sponsors who are: Manches, Nesta, Grant Thornton, Frank B Dehn & Co, Spinner (a consortium of 8 universities from the Midlands), CLIK, Seed Capital, Oxford Innovation, Oxford Brookes University, Business Link and The Oxford Trust."
Date of next OEI Investment Meeting: 25 January 2005 at Grant Thornton, Oxford. Contact: Alastair Cavanagh, Tel: [phone] ,e-mail: [e-mail] FOR EDITORS
1. OXFORD EARLY INVESTMENTS (OEI)
Press enquiries to: Alastair Cavanagh, Manager.
Tel: [phone] ,E-mail: [e-mail]
Oxford Early Investments (OEI) is a business angel network that links investors with innovative companies seeking investment capital from #20,000 to #250,000. OEI holds investment meetings every two months where selected companies present their proposals to the Networks investor members.
2. OXFORD INNOVATION LTD
Press enquiries to: Margaret Henry, Administration & PR Manager.
Tel: [phone] ,E-mail: [e-mail] ,http://www.oxin.co.uk
Oxford Innovation provides services to entrepreneurs and innovative start-up companies. It is the UKs leading operator of Innovation Centres, managing 11 Innovation Centres that provide flexible office and laboratory space to over 300 technology, knowledge-based and creative companies.
Oxford Innovation also runs Oxfordshire Investment Opportunity Network (OION), Europes most successful technology business angel network that links investors with entrepreneurs seeking early stage funding. During the last four years, #14.8m has been raised through the OION Network for 61 companies. www.oion.co.uk
The other angel networks run by Oxford Innovation are Thames Valley Investment Network (www.tvin.co.uk) and Solent Investment Opportunity Network (www.solenthub.co.uk) both based on the OION model and working with local partners in the Reading and Hampshire areas.,

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