For investors

Archangels benefits from having a relatively small but active and engaged network.

Our members invest in promising start-up and early-stage companies from Scotland’s vibrant technology and life sciences sector.

Investment approach

Our members share a common approach to angel investing:

They choose which of our companies they invest in and they recognise the benefits of a portfolio approach to investment, in terms of balancing and mitigating risk.

Their objective is to build businesses of scale, based in Scotland.

They support our companies by offering their expertise and access to their network but they don’t get actively involved in the running or governance of our companies (unless they are sector specialists, in which case it may be appropriate for them to be involved).

They trust our office and independent investor directors, to ensure that our companies are on the right track, but they are keenly interested in our companies.

They understand that investing in an early-stage company can be a long journey and that patience and the ability to offer continued financial support is fundamental. On average, the period from initial investment to exit is over eight years and can typically involve five or six funding rounds.

They have a desire to give something back and develop the next generation of entrepreneurs in Scotland.

Tax advantages

Unless otherwise stated, all financial investments are made under the terms of the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) which provides significant tax advantages to investors.

The tax benefits of EIS under current legislation are:

Membership benefits

Archangels office access

Access to the Archangels’ office to source and manage your direct investments. As the longest continuously operating syndicate in the world, we understand early stage investing and have an excellent track record

Careful diligence

Knowledge that all funding propositions have been carefully due diligenced by our Executive Team for several months and have the support of our Board

Participate in all new investment opportunities

The right to participate in all new investment opportunities on the same basis as all other members

Participate in follow on funding rounds

Opportunity to participate in follow on funding rounds for all portfolio companies, subject to pre-emption rights and any scaling back required. See our policy on scaling back in our Member Handbook

Investor portal

Access to our online investor portal, which details all current and historic Archangels’ investments, giving you a full statement of your Archangels investment portfolio at any time

Appointed Archangels observer

An Archangels observer appointed to all portfolio companies from our Executive Team, who attends company Board meetings and is responsible for monitoring, supporting and where appropriate, intervening

Performance updated

Regular updates from the Archangels’ office on portfolio company performance

Archangels' events

Invitation to Archangels’ events throughout the year, including Chorus (our annual portfolio company tradeshow and dinner) and AGM.

New Deals Committee meetings

Members are also welcome to attend our New Deals Committee meetings, where our team discuss current opportunities they’re reviewing and an Archangels Board meeting and lunch.

Engage with like-minded people

The opportunity to engage with a group of like-minded people, who are collectively motivated by giving something back and making a real economic impact in Scotland.

We charge members an annual fee of £2,000 plus VAT, to cover some of the cost of running the office.