Busting the myths of equity investment

Is equity funding the answer? As a growing business, it’s hard not to look at equity-funded success stories and wonder whether you too could unlock greater impact by selling shares in your business to a person or organisation who wants you to succeed. For some, the allure of taking a risk with someone else’s money outweighs the potential challenges, but for others equity funding is a black box best left on the shelf.

At this event, we will unpick the science of angel investing and venture capital funds. This is the event for you if you are a founder or business owner in any sector and you are:

• actively looking for equity funding,
• interested in exploring equity funding, or
• are considering your funding options.

We also welcome angel investors and budding angel investors to share in the conversation, bust some myths, and connect with the community.

Designed specifically to help founders and business leaders from all industries to better understand the ins and outs of equity investment this event will include input from:

UKBAA – Rod Beer will talk through the economics of angel investing – from the value of SEIS/EIS to the importance of a portfolio approach, how to find angel investors, what language to use to engage them, and a quick exploration of the optics of the most successful angels and angel groups and what to expect.

Ada Ventures – Matt Penneycard will explain the economics of a venture fund – when the best time is to approach venture capitalists or VC funds (and when you shouldn’t), what questions should you ask, and how you can get the most from the relationship. He’ll also explain how the economics of funds work, and what red flags to look out for when you are courting investors.

Dr Vivienne Heyhoe will share her perspective as a founder and angel investor bringing the theory to life and highlighting some of the lessons she has learned on her journey so far. She has a particular interest in health and wellbeing businesses.

We plan to bust the following myths, and there will be plenty of other insights besides:

• Equity is the only option for a growing business
• It is attractive to take someone else’s money
• Angel investing is only for an elite community
• Venture Capital funds will invest in anyone
• Taking equity funding is the best metric for business success
• Investors are the opposition

This event is kindly supported by Create Growth, a targeted business growth programme for companies in the creative industries in the West of England run by Watershed for WECA, delivered by a team of creative business experts.