A new report commissioned by Midlands Innovation universities has highlighted the contribution made by University of Warwick-based Minerva Business Angels to the region’s investment ecosystem.
Investment Opportunities in the Midlands was compiled by Beauhurst, a platform that provides data on the UK’s high-growth and innovative companies, to demonstrate the scale of the opportunity available for investors considering the Midlands region.
The report cites Minerva Business Angels as one of the region’s top equity investors by number of deals made, with 72 deals in support of Midlands companies made between 2011 and 2020.
The University of Warwick, where Minerva is based, was revealed to be the Midlands university which has generated the largest number of spinouts, having created 40 companies between 2011 and 2020 – one quarter of all the spinouts created in the Midlands.
Pointing out that although the Midlands is home to 11% of the UK’s high growth population, the region only secured 5% of the £13.5bn invested in private UK businesses last year, the report’s authors suggest the region may be undercapitalised.
Minerva works to redress the balance by increasing investment in regional innovation through promoting the opportunities available for investors, especially those willing to get hands-on with up-and-coming companies, and by seeking to expand the funding opportunities available to start-up businesses in the West Midlands.
NOTES:
- Midlands Innovation brings together eight research intensive universities in the Midlands to help power UK economic growth. Find out more about the partnership at https://midlandsinnovation.org.uk/
- Minerva is part of the University of Warwick Science Park Ltd and has helped over 70 companies to receive more than £ 80 million through its network of Angel investors. https://Minerva.uk.net
