Becoming a business angel?

[amaze]

Hi,

I have considered becoming a "business angel". I have hard cash to invest and plan to increase my capital more in the years too come. The idea of investing in great ideas I feel worthwhile and helping the business grow with mentorinh without the added hassle of day-to-day operations really appeals to me for the future when I want to wind down, but not retire.

I have a proven track record in business from the ground up, self taught and also a self-made multi-millionaire so I feel I have the right credentials to be "angel".

Any advice from any "angels" or anyone who knows how they operate? Cheers!

 

[GreatSEO]

You will need to contact someone like these - http://www.bbaa.org.uk/portal/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=31

I may have an idea that I would love to discuss with you

If you would like to know more please pm me your details so that I can get in touch

Other than that I hope the above helps

Regards

Dave

 

[Alice3537]

How much 'hard cash'?

 

[amaze]

Hi,

I didn't post here to look for people looking for investement currently, as I have 2 businesses I run at the moment that require my total dedication until "potential" exit... This is more looking into the future...

Alice "hard cash" is just under £1,500,000 currently, however assets of nearer £10,000,000 (not inc personal assets like houses, cars etc).

Thanks

 

[LinkingClever]

It may be worth talking to your local enterprise agency, normally run by the local council
Jay

 

[coultog]

Do you have any ideas what sort of business you're looking to invest in?

There's plenty of scope and potential out there and given the right team, I'm sure you could get a pretty good return.

 

[amaze]

My key strengths are technology and the internet, however business is business and good ideas are good ideas...

 

[Alice3537]

Hi,

I didn't post here to look for people looking for investement currently, as I have 2 businesses I run at the moment that require my total dedication until "potential" exit... This is more looking into the future...

Alice "hard cash" is just under £1,500,000 currently, however assets of nearer £10,000,000 (not inc personal assets like houses, cars etc).

Thanks

Where do you currently 'store' your £1,500,00 'hard cash'?

 

[amaze]

Where do you currently 'store' your £1,500,00 'hard cash'?

Between my personal high interest account, business account, low risk saving accounts and treasury accounts. Why?

 

[Alice3537]

I've had a look through a few of your posts and won't be entering further dialogue with you.

All the best in your business plans and I hope all goes well.

 

[amaze]

I've had a look through a few of your posts and won't be entering further dialogue with you.

:|

Any reason your sending me to Coventry? Seems an odd sequence of posts and slightly rude maybe?

 

[Alice3537]

:|

Any reason your sending me to Coventry? Seems an odd sequence of posts and slightly rude maybe?

Hardly rude.

Personally, if I thought you had a net worth anywhere near that you indicate I would be AMAZED if you posted on a forum such as this (no offence, UKBF, but you know how it is with the specialist advisors out there) so, that is why I have no more to say to you.

If you want some REAL advice ask your accountant or solicitor. I assume you have ie of each!

 

[business123]

:|

Any reason your sending me to Coventry? Seems an odd sequence of posts and slightly rude maybe?

Perhaps it's because you said in your post on 27th Aug 2007 your turnover was £2m, then in a post on 31st Jan 2008 said it was £5m - that's some jump!

 

[amaze]

Hardly rude.

Personally, if I thought you had a net worth anywhere near that you indicate I would be AMAZED if you posted on a forum such as this (no offence, UKBF, but you know how it is with the specialist advisors out there) so, that is why I have no more to say to you.

If you want some REAL advice ask your accountant or solicitor. I assume you have ie of each!

It is rude because you are basically saying I am lieing!

Why on earth would I lie about such things? I was asking a simple question about becoming a BA, I didn't post stating what my net worth was or even I was looking to invest, you posed that question.

Well you would be "amazed" then as I do have that approx net worth...!

I am always open to ideas\suggestions from real life experiences as well as professional advice hence the question about becoming a BA!

 

[amaze]

Perhaps it's because you said in your post on 27th Aug 2007 your turnover was £2m, then in a post on 31st Jan 2008 said it was £5m - that's some jump!

Yes turnover of one of companies in 2007 was 2.2m and projected to be over 5m in 2008 (annualised first Q of 08 we are on target)...

 

[Alice3537]

Why on earth would I lie about such things? I was asking a simple question about becoming a BA, I didn't post stating how much money I had, you asked me that question!

Well you would be "amazed" then as I do have that net worth...

I am more amazed that you do not have advisors around you who will point you in the right direction.

Seems to me you either don't have the cash or you don't have the know-how and the contacts.

Either way, I'm out.

 

[amaze]

I am more amazed that you do not have advisors around you who will point you in the right direction.

Seems to me you either don't have the cash or you don't have the know-how and the contacts.

Either way, I'm out.

Again that is rather insulting. I know I have the cash and you can't build a multi million business from scratch without "know how". As stated I posed a simple question on a forum for "real life feedback". Yes I have FA's and obviously have a close relationship with my private (Natwest) bank manager, but I still don't forget my humble beginnings where I have leveraged lots of useful information from the internet and don't plan on stopping utilising the medium due to my success!

 

[Alice3537]

Again that is rather insulting. I know I have the cash and you can't build a multi million business from scratch without "know how". As stated I posed a simple question on a forum for "real life feedback". Yes I have FA's and obviously have a close relationship with my private (Natwest) bank manager, but I still don't forget my humble beginnings where I have leveraged lots of useful information from the internet and don't plan on stopping utilising the medium due to my success!

Would that be a Natwest private banking manager, business manager, corporate banking manager or Commercial manager? Just out of curiosity.

I stand by my opinion that if an individual has a sum of money such as you refer to, they would NOT post on a forum such as this to ASK FOR ADVICE AS TO HOW TO BECOME AN ANGEL. Ridiculous.

 

[Gillie]

Why on earth are you asking us for this information, you must have a good relationship with your Accountant, they will have all sorts of information on possible investments around at the moment.

 

[Alice3537]

Why on earth are you asking us for this information, you must have a good relationship with your Accountant, they will have all sorts of information on possible investments around at the moment.

Totally agree - if the OP has the right advisers around him, including his accountant, he would be pointed in the right direction pretty quickly.

 

[amaze]

Would that be a Natwest private banking manager, business manager, corporate banking manager or Commercial manager? Just out of curiosity.

I stand by my opinion that if an individual has a sum of money such as you refer to, they would NOT post on a forum such as this to ASK FOR ADVICE AS TO HOW TO BECOME AN ANGEL. Ridiculous.

My personal banking is by Natwest Private Banking whom I have a manager and his assistant. This is also who handle the natwest black card.

Then I have a corporate manager and assistant for my corporate account...

Well you are obviously very wrong as I am posting and I do have those funds. I will post a screenshot of "bankline" which holds two thirds of the "hard cash" if you like?

Wow...I am actually flabagasted by your attitude.

 

[amaze]

Why on earth are you asking us for this information, you must have a good relationship with your Accountant, they will have all sorts of information on possible investments around at the moment.

I have asked my accountant and also an FA, however as stated above I was asking for a "real life experience" rather than a professional opinion! Both have merits into research in my opinion.

 

[Alice3537]

My personal banking is by Natwest Private Banking whom I have a manager and his assistant. This is also who handle the natwest black card.

Then I have a corporate manager and assistant for my corporate account...

Well you are obviously very wrong as I am posting and I do have those funds. I will post a screenshot of "bankline" which holds two thirds of the "hard cash" if you like?

Wow...I am actually flabagasted by your attitude.

I am 'flabagasted' that you are 'flabagasted' that I would be 'flabasgasted' that you post here rather than take the advice you are so obviously able to afford.

Why would you be surprised that I would question you after your first post? Go back and re-read if you like.

Hell, I can put you in touch with some players in terms of angel investment. I just don't feel confident in doing so given your posts.

BTW - feel free to post the screenshot if it makes you feel better!

Heck, if you want to come on here and identify a couple of businesses to help, all well and good - contact them off forum. If you come and ASK about how to do it, expect some recourse.

Your PB manager won't do s*** re Angel Investment - outside the remit....as per your other managers!

 

[Cornish Steve]

There are plenty of successful people frequenting these forums, so I'm a little surprised at the harsh response to the OP. Personally, if I was looking to become an angel investor, I'd gravitate to forums where entrepreneurs congregate - and UKBF fits the bill. After all, successful entrepreneurs are a lot more important than bank managers, who aren't exactly known for their creativity.

Amaze: I wish you success as you look into the possibility of becoming an investor in small business. My only advice would be to do your homework well before you invest. If in doubt, look elsewhere.

 

[Alice3537]

There are plenty of successful people frequenting these forums, so I'm a little surprised at the harsh response to the OP. Personally, if I was looking to become an angel investor, I'd gravitate to forums where entrepreneurs congregate - and UKBF fits the bill.

Amaze: I wish you success as you look into the possibility of becoming an investor in small business. My only advice would be to do your homework well before you invest. If in doubt, look elsewhere.

I disagree in some respects - if I were an angel, I might come along and check some people out through posts then PM them to see what I could do with them - I wouldn't be on here asking HOW TO BE an angel.

If I had the resources the OP had, I wouldn't NEED to be on here posting in the way he has.

Let's see the difference between those who can and do versus those who want to.

With regard to your comments ref investing in small business, I support that unreservadly - but, again, I refer you to the previous posts on here.

However much I was seeking investment, I am not convinced I would take that from the OP.

 

[LinkingClever]

My view is that a quality, active and targeted online forum contains the most up to date, real world information available. What better place to ask pretty much anything, regardles of the subject or your ability to pay someone to advise you?
Jay

 

[JamieM]

Amaze has been a member here for some time so I don't see why his wealth should drive him away. Accountants don't always happen to know a load of business angels so I don't see why asking for feedback here was a bad idea. I would do the same.

As for his integrity, I can confirm that he is 100% genuine. You should not be so quick to make assumptions like that Alice.

Amaze, there is an angel investor who posts on the Shell Livewire forum. His email is info at amvc .co.uk - maybe you could have a chat with him.

 

[amaze]

I disagree in some respects - if I were an angel, I might come along and check some people out through posts then PM them to see what I could do with them - I wouldn't be on here asking HOW TO BE an angel.

If I had the resources the OP had, I wouldn't NEED to be on here posting in the way he has.

Well maybe thats why I'm in the position I am and your not...? I take all advice from as many sources as possible and then make an informed choice or decision. I don't see why I should change my habits now I am successful, I don't plan on changing anything except my spending habits! I come from very humble beginnings, infact i was brought up by just my wonderful Mum from the age of 11 and lived in a council flat and everything I have I have worked my socks off for (I have always had a strong biz focus however).

Maybe my OP was rushed and not very well written, however I would respect any "real life experiences" from non-professional people. Whats the problem with that? I felt your reply was very assumptious, insulting and also made me out to be a lier which really got my "back up" as I am certainly not! Don't worry I wouldn't invest in anyone who was so judgemental and a bad one at that!

Thanks to Steve, Linking & Jamie for there positive words.

Not sure why I am doing this, but more to prove I am not lying, but here is a screenshot from a corporate account which is for both my businesses (obviously some details are removed):

<image now removed>

Thanks

 

[stugster]

Angel3537, he's got ya


All too common are we (all of us) the members of UKBF to jump to conclusions. This guy perhaps wanted to join the forums, and this just happened to be the first business related question he thought of.

Welcome to the forums


After seeing he's already made a considerable amount of posts 100+, I really worry at some of the members instant responses of futility and aggression towards his question. Jealousy? Perhaps.

 

[reggiemental]

I agree. The guy asks a perfectly reasonable question, and gets jumped on. He shouldn't have to prove his worth in public. That's between him and whoever decides to approach him for more details. He has every right to feel annoyed, and fair-play to him for keeping his cool.

 

[Jenni384]

Aye, I don't see anything incongruous by Amaze's question.
Just because you're rich, doesn't mean you know everything, and where better to ask than an online community? Seems as good a bet as any.

Amaze, good luck

 

[Ashley_Price]

Amaze, I'll take your offer up! (Who wouldn't?)

But seriously, speak with your advisors - although I have a funny feeling you may have already done this and they've advised against being a BA.

People do seem to have this thing of "because you are successful in one area you are going to know everything about everything," and that's simply not the case.

Not exactly the same, but I know my way round "Word" as I use it day in, day out. So when I was invited to joined Rotary suddenly I was their "IT Officer" because they assumed I knew everything about computers. Far from it, I've just paid £600 for someone to spend a day last week putting all our old files on our new PCs!

 

[Exclusively You!]

I don't know if my contribution will hold any weight but I can understand the arguments from both sides, what I mean is, even if I had over a million pound and I was looking to become a BA I would probably search the internet and forums for some information, as other posts have mentioned it is a perfect knowledge base for such info.

As for the arguing case, I suppose because the OP has this amount of money we would ask ourselves why would they post on a business forum when they could just pay to have someone tell them the best investment opportunities etc but again that would be on a professional level whereas on a forum such as this you will get real responses (as the OP has found out with this thread )

I think we are too quick to judge, we don't know for sure either way if the OP has this money or not but am I mistaken for thinking that a forum is an open community for people to ask such questions as the OP did. If he does have the money available then soon some business that really needs investment may just get it and get the break they need. If he doesn't have this money then the only thing he has done is rattled a few cages on here, wished they had never started the thread and probably won't frequent the forums again but from what I can see I don't think that will be the case.

We are all entitled to our opinions but maybe they are not always the right ones and can be written in raised emotion therefore hampering your otherwise good judgement.

Craig.

 

[Blow-Me]

Where abouts are you based Amaze?

 

[ADW]

Bit of a bizzare thread this one. I can't imagine why anyone with a bit of cash in the bank would post their net worth on an open forum let alone post a Bank statement. The need to prove that they have cash does put doubts in my mind but that is a personal opinion. Most people I know with a bit of success behind them tend to be very reserved when disclosing how much they have. I know that usernames aren't exact giveaways to who someone is, but if the OP is to find a business on here to invest in, the amounts available are now there for all to see. On the other hand, Alice could have been a bit more easy going, but each to there own.

I think a little research was needed before the initial post as this is likely to be a good place to find an investment. Now a company person on here can see a little to much info and doesn't look that proffesional imho. Good luck anyway and hope you find the right outcome.

 

[Ashley_Price]

I can't imagine why anyone with a bit of cash in the bank would post their net worth on an open forum

Yes, but we don't know his/her real name or where they are from etc.

Besides people put all sorts of information up on the internet. Despite all the warnings I've still visited some "family sites" where the parents have put photos up of their children with their names (or wearing a t-shirt with a child's name on it) and pretty much enough information for you to be able to almost pinpoint where they live to the road!

 

[amaze]

Bit of a bizzare thread this one. I can't imagine why anyone with a bit of cash in the bank would post their net worth on an open forum let alone post a Bank statement. The need to prove that they have cash does put doubts in my mind but that is a personal opinion. Most people I know with a bit of success behind them tend to be very reserved when disclosing how much they have. I know that usernames aren't exact giveaways to who someone is, but if the OP is to find a business on here to invest in, the amounts available are now there for all to see. On the other hand, Alice could have been a bit more easy going, but each to there own.

I think a little research was needed before the initial post as this is likely to be a good place to find an investment. Now a company person on here can see a little to much info and doesn't look that proffesional imho. Good luck anyway and hope you find the right outcome.

Hi,

I agree to a certain extent, but my identity isn't known and I don't publically declare what my businesses are or even what sector it is in (see previous posts). Also the bank statement isn't sensitive as it isn't "tied" to me (all sensitive data has been removed) and is merely figures to prove I'm not a lier!!

I know lots of succesful people who are reserved and I know lots who are the exact opp...I think thats a rather large generalisation that is totally false....

I'm not actually looking to try and be "professional", I was browsing the forums on a personal level. As stated I'm also NOT looking to invest currently, but maybe after potential exit and was looking for real world experiences.

Thanks for all the comments!

 

[ADW]

What I was trying to get over is that this info is now here and if you did want to take this further that anyone looking for investment on this site can also read this. You might in the near future start a post looking for potential investments and anyone interested I would think would do a bit of digging. If I were you I would prefer them not to find this post as you have declared a bit to much info. You could always start another username but this again is just my opinion.

 

[Jon123]

Can't see why this guy has been jumped on, shouldn't we be congratulating the people among us who are successful? seems like theres a lot of envy or just general english attitude if someone has done better than us we should have a dig.


Cheers
Jonny

 

[amaze]

Can't see why this guy has been jumped on, shouldn't we be congratulating the people among us who are successful? seems like theres a lot of envy or just general english attitude if someone has done better than us we should have a dig.



Cheers
Jonny

Thanks Jonny!