About us
Originally formed in 1992 and based in Edinburgh, Archangels is a prominent business angel syndicate which has been at the forefront of early stage investing in Scotland for more than a quarter of a century.
Today, Archangels comprises more than 100 investor members and typically invests more than £10 million per year in early stage Scottish companies.
members
£10m
per annum
current portfolio
investments
Investor Due Diligence
Relationship with management
- Makes hard situations easier to address with openness and consensus, rather than conflict.
- Makes for a collaborative approach.
Is there a large, addressable market?
- Does the product address a specific market need?
- Does the market exist now?
- How competitive is the market?
Is the technology disruptive and unique?
- What is the USP?
- Will it disrupt how the market operates?
- Is it properly protected?
- Has there been customer validation?
Values
We are
aligned
Through the way that we’re structured, our ambitions and our objectives, we are aligned with the interests of both our member investors and our portfolio companies.
We are
connected
We bring together the skills and experience of our members, our extensive network and our portfolio companies, to achieve the best outcome for the businesses we support.
We act with
integrity
We are transparent in all our business dealings, applying a consistent approach to the investment process, which our investors and portfolio companies can rely upon.
We are
professional
From the rigour of our due diligence to the method of our investment process, we act with the highest degree of professionalism across every aspect of our operation.
We work in
partnership
We provide support through thick and thin to help our portfolio companies achieve their ambitions and to maximise returns for our investors.
We are
committed
As a dedicated investor in Scotland’s next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators, we are deeply committed to our long-term role in maximising investor returns, building and nurturing successful businesses and helping Scotland prosper.
Our team
The syndicate and its executive team have wide experience and networks in a diverse range business sectors and disciplines which allow them to help and support the creation and development of young companies in Scotland and to maximise investor returns.
The Benefits of an Experienced Executive Team
Our office facilitates and supports the investments by our members in the following ways:
Undertaking a systematic search for new opportunities, building on our strong contacts with universities, incubators, accelerators and intermediaries
Screening business plans
Conducting thorough pre-investment due diligence
Negotiating pricing of fundraisings
Appointing an Archangels observer from our Executive Team who is responsible for monitoring, supporting and, where appropriate, intervening in investee companies
Ensuring that the financial controls and reporting
in each company is professional and timely
Appointing a suitable Investor Director and influencing
the appointment of the Chairman in investee companies
Arranging networking opportunities and group training
for investee company executives and employees
Identifying and managing exits
Creating a strong bond with founders and management
Co-Investor Partners
Thairm Bio
The Archangels' Share
The Story of the World's First Syndicate of Business Angels
This book uncovers the unique business relationship between Archangels’ founders Barry Sealey and Mike Rutterford and follows their ground-breaking journey to the present day. Providing invaluable advice for would-be investors, The Archangels’ Share tells of successes and failures along the way, explores just how they formed such a successful business angel syndicate, and explains why Scotland has emerged as a global leader in angel investing. And it reveals the energy, passion and skill of two extraordinary men who created an international phenomenon.