‘Evolution’ at YABA

THE Yorkshire Association of Business Angels (YABA) has today re-launched in a move that its chairman Andrew Burton said would give the group a more ‘sophisticated offer’.

Funding support from regional development agency Yorkshire Forward is set to come to a stop at the end of this month.

YABA has 130 members with a combined total of around £34m available to invest.

YABA chairman Andrew Burton said the group’s intention was “to become the pre-eminent investor network in the north of England” through the launch of a new suite of investment services for business angels and corporate investors.

Mr Burton said: “Our membership has grown rapidly in recent years, and we’ve reached a size that allows us to introduce a more sophisticated offer to both our membership and to those companies looking for finance. YABA is evolving, and these are exciting times.”

YABA said that over the last 10 years its members had been involved in 114 deals in the region, with investment totalling more than £15.5m in early stage businesses across all sectors. Individual members’ investment levels range from £30,000 to £300,000.

The new membership packages for investors will include a ‘screening system’ to ensure the quality of investment opportunities, and angel group meetings which YABA said would allow members to find out more about entrepreneurs and companies seeking finance at an earlier stage than previously possible.

YABA manager Barbara Greaves said: “YABA is already a vibrant investor network, and the services and support on offer are aimed at further enabling a successful deal flow and return on investment.

“We’re actively promoting a greater emphasis on syndicated investment, where individual angels invest in groups, to build wider portfolios and spread overall risk.”

The new packages will take effect on June 1 and the first investor meeting takes place on May 15.