Pictured: David Williams, D2N2 LEP Deputy Chair and EMCCA business board representative, addressing delegates at the Derby launch event
Together with East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), we were delighted to lead two launch events in Derby and Nottingham, introducing our Early Stage Angel Investment Fund (ESAIF).
The Derby launch event, held at Derby Arena, featured a keynote address by Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands (via video), and presentations by D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership Deputy Chair and EMCCA’s Business Representative David Williams MBE DL, Lewis Stringer of British Business Bank, Samantha Deakin of the University of Derby and Fred Soneya of our fund manager Haatch.
The Nottingham event, held at BioCity, featured a keynote address by Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands (via video), and presentations by D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership Board Member Glenn Crocker, Lewis Stringer of British Business Bank, Sarah King of Obu and Fred Soneya of our fund manager Haatch.
The events were MC’d by Nicola Swaney of East Midlands Combined County Authority and attended by over 100 delegates over the two days.
The Early Stage Angel Investment Fund was announced by D2N2 LEP Chair Elizabeth Fagan at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds earlier this year.
The purpose of the Fund is to stimulate investment and growth in ‘early stage’ companies – those that have been trading between six and 24 months – that are based in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham or Nottinghamshire (the D2N2 region).
D2N2 LEP/EMCCA are contributing £4 million to the Fund and this will be match-funded by our investment fund manager, Haatch. Our aim is that over the longer term, these funds will be re-invested in the programme, to catalyse investment and growth for further early stage companies.
Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said:
“Supporting our local economy is one of my missions as Mayor of the East Midlands. So I’m delighted to support the launch of the Early Stage Angel Investment Fund.
“It’s important to support our local businesses in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire; they are vital to the success of our regional economy.
“I look forward to hearing all about the impact of this fund, how it supports our local businesses, and how it will help our regional economy thrive. I’m keen to see what we can achieve together through this significant investment and strong collaborative partnership.”
More information about the Fund and to make a pitch
For media enquiries, contact:
Nicola Swaney
Head of External Affairs
