Business "matchmaker" targets North

A GROUP of professionals have launched a venture to bring together entrepreneurs with investors and are looking to expand across the North.

The team behind Biz Angel UK said that since its recent launch it had received between five and 10 business plans each week from people with ideas for businesses.

Biz Angel UK, said it had around 120 investors and business angels from across the UK on its books, but that the number continued to increase.

Dave Merritt, one of the team behind Biz Angel UK, said the organisation was also keen to attract fledgling businesses ready for second stage funding and support.

Mr Merritt, who also runs his own commercial finance brokerage, said many of the group’s investment requests were based in London but that Biz Angel UK was keen to increase its portfolio in the north of England.

He said that the recession had not dampened either the number of aspiring entrepreneurs or investors looking to make a healthy return on the investment: “We are currently receiving between five and 10 business plans per week for consideration and that is without sticking our heads above the parapet.

“Currently we have seven investable propositions under consideration by investors.”

Wendy Kipling, who is spearheading Biz Angel UK, said the team had formed a number of partnerships with law and accountancy firms to attract investors.

For further information visit www.bizangeluk.co.uk.