Top 383 UK Angel Investors (Free List)
Start connecting with these investors today.
Sometimes you just need a list! And if you're looking for a list of angel investors in the UK, that's exactly what you have here:
These are 383 of the most active investors with a link to their linkedin page so that you can start connecting.
To get the best results, it's a good idea to be selective with who you connect with first.
- Take your time…
- Have a look at each profile…
- Each connection is not just access to one person, it will give you access to their own network of investors too.
We really hope you find this list useful!
383 most active angel investors in the UK
Investors* (name, picture, linkedin, investments)
9 Steps to find your perfect angel investor
Before we dive into the different ways of finding an angel investor, I think it's a good idea to define what an angel investor means exactly.
First...
Is an angel investor and business angel the same thing?
The answer is … YES! 🙂 OK, that was easy.
Next…
When you are looking for pre-seed funding for your business, there is generally an overlap between love money and business angels, and then again between angels and venture capital firms.
Love money is not angel investment (not quite)
Love money is money provided to an entrepreneur from friends and family. These are people that believe in you no matter what. Yes, you will probably have to justify why you need the money. And yes, you will generally need to give equity in exchange for this investment. But the initial goal of your friends and family is to help you.
Now, when your friends ask their friends to invest in your startup, that is when the labeling gets blurred. These friends of friends will probably be considered as angel investors.
Step 1 - Angel Investor: what does it mean?
An angel investor is a private individual who would like to invest their own personal funds into high potential startups.
Angels can be entrepreneurs with previous exits, but we are seeing more and more business angels coming from the corporate world. They generally don't know the founder directly, or they will need a bit more persuading than the typical love money investor.
Angel investors can invest on their own or within a group of other angels. And these groups are called angel networks or angel syndicates.
When angel investments are completed within a group, there will generally be a lead investor who will be the main contact after the deal closes.
Some angel syndicates become bigger and are structured as a fund. And this is when the line is blurred again between angel investors and venture capital firms.
But one thing is for sure, and one final definition before we move on: angel investment is definitely venture capital.
And venture capital means that the angel's funds are at risk. So they will need some kind of reward for investing in your business.
Step 2 - Why do angel investors put their hard earned money into risky startups?
I read a poll a few years ago. The question was:
Why do angels invest in startups?
Answer 3: to give back to the community that helped them grow.
Answer 2: to make more money from their investment
….
Answer 1: because they are bored of refreshing their stock portfolio and they miss the entrepreneurial excitement of launching a business.
I think most investors would have trouble admitting to answer 1.
But as an angel investor myself, it's true. Yes I want to help, and yes I want to make more money, but I also want to be a part of an exciting opportunity. And I want to tell my own friends about the potential of a new tech and its exciting and smart founders.
It doesn't mean that I will naively invest funds into any fun pitch that lands in my inbox, but it is part of the equation.
So we've established that angel investors want to help, they want to make money and they want to be excited by the opportunity.
But they also want to make sure that their investment is the most tax efficient possible. This next part is not always well understood by founders but it's so important to prepare when you're dealing with angel investors.
Step 3 - SEIS : a real incentive for angel investors
SEIS is the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme. It's a government scheme that offers up to 50% tax relief for investments into British businesses.
This scheme has brought in over £1.4B of funding for startups since its creation in 2012 and is a brilliant incentive for angel investors.
It is one of 4 schemes aimed at helping businesses raise funds in the UK.
There are differences between the type of business that can raise the funds, the maximum amount of funds that the business can raise and how much tax relief the investor can get.
- SEIS investments up to £150,000 (£250,000 from April 2023)
- SITR Social Investment Tax Relief investments up to £1.5 million
- EIS Enterprise Investment Scheme investments up to £12 million
- VCT (Venture Capital Trust) investments up to £12 million
You can find our article dedicated to SEIS on this page and a SEIS tax relief calculator here.
The key take away for a founder is to make sure that your startup is SEIS ready so you don't scare angel investors away from the beginning.
SEIS rules from April 2023 :
- Your startup can raise up to £250,000
- Total assets held by the business less than £350,000
- Less than 25 employees
- Age limit of the business 3 years
You can apply directly on the Gov.uk website, or get SEIS Advance Insurance from an accountant like Sleek or Seed Legals.
Now you know what an angel investor is,. And your startup is all SEIS ready. But how do you get in touch with an angel investor?
Step 4 - Where to find angel investors?
There is no silver bullet here. Finding that very special first angel investor will be a mix of networking, hustle and asking for a lot of favors. It takes time, you'll get it wrong a few times and you will definitely learn a lot about people. The good news is that if you do it right, these investors will become your mentors, friends and will follow you throughout your career.
OK I'm ready to find an angel investor, how do I start?
Step 5 - Do not hide! Talk to people.
Whatever you do, don't hide what you are building. You absolutely have to tell people what you're up to.
Start with friends and family, especially if you've gone through the love money round. And ask these people if they know anybody that would be interested to chat. This could be as an investor, as a client, or just somebody interested in your sector.
This is not about hard pitching, it's about getting better at telling your story and answering questions.
You'll be amazed!
Interesting contacts come from the most unusual connections, and even random acquaintances. You'll see, in general people want to help.
My best introduction ever was from my brother in law. He knew a mortgage broker, and this broker used to go to school with one of the most prominent VCs in Paris.
I met him the first time at the airport, where he dropped by flying his own plane. I didn't even have to sell myself. He trusted me from the first minute.
Just talk to people.
And then use the questions and answers to progressively make your investor deck and other pitching materials.
Learn how to make the perfect pre-seed pitch deck here.
Step 6 - Linkedin is your friend
You should now be all warmed up and slowly getting better at telling the story of your startup. It's time to reach out.
When you're selling your product or service, you will want to go to where your clients hang out.
And finding an investor is the same. You need to go to where investors hangout. And alot of them hang out on Linkedin.
Start by doing these 3 simple steps.
- Create your business page.
- Update your personal profile attaching yourself to your business page
- Update your profile: Founder at XYZ. So that anybody that you connect with knows you are not trying to sell, but you are trying to build (this makes a big difference)
Then slowly start connecting with relevant individuals.
- Individuals in your sector
- Potential investors
- Other founders
- Local business people
There are limits to the number of connections you can make everyday, so go slowly and connect with people who could be interested in what you're building.
Not everybody will want to connect back, but if you do this everyday, you will progressively grow your network with a constant flow of new connections.
To help you speed up this whole process, we've created a list of Linkedin profiles for you with over 2243 VCs and Angels.
Once you've in the flow of things (I would give it 7 days). It's time to write that first post.
You can find a full article on connecting with investors on Linkedin here
Step 7 - Angel networks
At this stage, your pitching material should be ready (at least the first version). You will be building a solid flow of engaged connections on Linkedin. And your first introduction post should be live.
It's time to hit the road (and/or Zoom)!
Angel networks are groups of angel investors who get together regularly to review potential investment opportunities.
Angel networks can be as informal as investor friends having chats, to structured meetings with well marketed pitching events.
Angel networks and angel syndicates are the hidden gem for founders.
I say "hidden gem", because angel networks are more than a bunch of potential investors. These networks are basically groups of wealthy entrepreneurial people who have done this before. They are sympathetic with your struggle. And they are literally getting together with the sole purpose of talking about startup investments. You are their reason for meeting up.
And even if you don't get an immediate investment, you can still nurture a growing network that can help you out along the way with advice, contacts, and support. They can also become potential clients and partners.
It's very different with a venture capital firm, where the result is often 1 or 0.
Either the VC will like your business and want to invest, or they won't.
And even if everything stays friendly, a VC will typically not spend a lot of time helping you if there's no investment potential for them.
I really love angel networks and we've also added to our investor database a list of 34 UK networks that you can reach out to.
Tip: I know you can do all of this on Zoom, but your investor connections will be stronger if you make the effort to pitch to angel networks in person.
Step 8 - Most active angel investors in the UK
Find your investor with our UK VC and angel investor database
Step 9 - Other angel network platforms
Angel investment network
https://www.angelinvestmentnetwork.co.uk/
UK Business Angels Association
Crowdfunder
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/
Seedrs
Crowdcube
Kickstarter
Frequently asked questions about angel investors in the UK
How can I determine which angel investor is the best fit for my startup?
Determining the best-fit angel investor for your startup involves a comprehensive assessment beyond the provided list. Consider factors such as the investor's industry expertise, alignment with your business values, and their networking capabilities.
Evaluate their investment philosophy, looking for alignment with your long-term goals. Additionally, reaching out directly for discussions and seeking testimonials from previous startups in their portfolio can provide valuable insights into their approach and effectiveness.
The goal is to establish a mutually beneficial partnership that extends beyond funding, incorporating mentorship and strategic support for the growth of your startup.
What are some common pitfalls or mistakes entrepreneurs should avoid when approaching angel investors?
Entrepreneurs should be mindful of several common pitfalls when approaching angel investors. Firstly, a lack of preparation can hinder success – entrepreneurs should thoroughly understand their business, market, and financials.
Overvaluation of the startup can also be detrimental; it's crucial to present a realistic and well-supported valuation. Miscommunication about the use of funds and a failure to articulate a clear exit strategy are additional pitfalls to avoid.
Finally, neglecting due diligence on potential investors may lead to partnerships that are not aligned with the startup's vision.
Being aware of these pitfalls and addressing them proactively can significantly enhance the chances of a successful engagement with angel investors.
Are there specific industries or sectors that angel investors in the UK are more inclined to invest in?
Angel investors often vary in their preferences, and industry trends can change. Typically, technology, healthcare, and consumer goods have seen considerable angel investment interest.
However, the best approach is for entrepreneurs to research recent investments, attend industry events, and network to gauge current preferences within the UK angel investor community.
Other investor lists:
- UK Venture Capital (2025 Full Database)
- Pre-Seed VC Investors
- Top 383 UK Angel Investors
- Top 57 SEIS Funds In The UK
- Top 65 EIS Funds In The UK
- Top 58 London VC Firms
- 168 Angel Investors In London
- 100 Angel Investors Cambridge
- 51 Angel Investors Manchester
- 28 Angel Investors In Bristol
- 33 Angel Investors Edinburgh
- 19 Angel Investors In Liverpool
- 8 Angel Investors In Reading
- 8 Angel Investors In Guildford
- 7 Angel Investors In Oxford
- 6 Angel Investors Newcastle
- 5 Angel Investors In Brighton
- 4 Angel Investors In Bath
- 4 Angel Investors In Cardiff
- 4 Angel Investors In Glasgow
- 4 Angel Investors Harrogate
- 4 Angel Investors In Leeds
- 4 Angel In Northern Ireland
- 44 Angel Investors In Scotland
- 4 Angel Investors In Wales
- 127 Female Angel Investors
- Venture Capitalists In The UK
- Top 47 Business Angels UK
- Top 94 Private Investors UK
- 55 Pre-Seed Investors London
- Top Seed VCs In The UK
- Top UK Startup Accelerators
- Top 18 Angel Networks UK
- Top 38 Venture Capital Associates
- Top 26 Venture Capital Analysts
- Top 29 Venture Capital Principals
- Top 24 Venture Capital Directors
- Top 35 Venture Capital Partners
