Dorset Business Angels Host Investors’ Conference in Bournemouth
Dorset Business Angels (DBA) hosted an Angel Investor Conference in Bournemouth in December and welcomed an impressive line-up of prestigious speakers, potential investors and introducers to the event which took place at the Pavilion Dance in town. Over 120 guests were able to learn about the work of the Dorset Business Angels and the exciting investor opportunities available.
DBA was formed in 2013 with the aim of being a catalyst in Dorset to bring together entrepreneurs and investors to help accelerate the growth of start-up businesses. Their vision is to turn Dorset into one of the UK’s best regions for setting up high growth and start-up businesses by providing quality private equity investment opportunities to local high net wort and sophisticated investors.
There was a diverse mix of speakers to enthral the audience. These included Conor Burns MP, Leader of Bournemouth Council John Beesley, Jenny Tooth, CEO of the UK British Angels Association, Sarah Wadham, Director General of the EIS Association, DBA Chairman and Angel Don McQueen, Angel investor Simon Hulme, Sarah Abrahams, Head of Growth Finance for Grant Thornton UK, Angel Investee Craig Wareham, Bournemouth Council’s Bill Cotton.
To round off the Conference a panel of speakers took their place on the stage and a lively conversation ensued as the panel received questions from the audience.
Conor Burns commented on the day, “It is really encouraging to see the growth of these networks within our thriving conurbation and we are fortunate to have the alignment of two cutting edge universities and also Bournemouth & Poole College, combined with one of the most attractive places to both live and work. With the growth of the Angel Investors networks I am very confident that we will see a large increase in the number of new and growing businesses locally. I look forward to supporting the work of DBA in the year ahead.”
DBA Don McQueen enthused, “We are hugely proud of what we have achieved at this conference and the diverse mix of people that we have brought together. We are keen to attract more businesses to pitch to our network and ensure that much of our investments go to businesses from within Dorset and surrounding areas.”
The Angels conference was sponsored by Saffery Champness Chartered Accountants, Bournemouth Borough Council, Investec and Bright Blue Day. Nick Fernyhough, Partner at Saffery Champness commented, “Bournemouth is building momentum as both a hub for new digital business and a centre for entrepreneurs to base their enterprises. At Safferys we are very happy to support organisations such as Dorset Business Angels that keep that momentum going by encouraging private investment in local businesses. This conference has brought together investors, entrepreneurs, experts, professionals and local government to help ensure that the opportunity Dorset now has, to become an even more attractive destination for existing businesses and an incubator for new start-ups, is maximised.”
Anyone wishing to find out more about Dorset Business Angels ‚Äã is urged to visit http://dorsetbusinessangels.co.uk/About.aspx or telephone Peter Eales Tel.01202 706 975 e: contact@dorsetbusinessangels.co.uk
