Halo, the NI business angel network, and Crowdcube, the UK crowdfunding platform announced a new partnership to provide further funding rates for NI companies last week.
Halo, which is part funded by Invest NI and run by the NI Science Park, has over 100 business angels who have invested over £6m in NI companies.
Crowdcube operates an equity crowd funding site where relatively large numbers of investors can invest anything from £10 upwards in companies in return for shares.
Their investors have invested £16m via Crowdcube, which has approval from the Financial Conduct Authority and is the largest equity crowd funder in the UK and probably the world.
Under this new partnership, NI companies can approach Halo and be directed towards potential funding from Halo angels, Crowdcube investors or a mixture of both – giving more flexible options to help fund companies.
Luke Lang, a co-founder of Crowdcube speaking at the Belfast launch said: “Crowdcube operates like Dragon’s Den, but via the internet empowering armchair dragons with the chance to invest in companies that interest them”.
“We have over 50,000 investors who have raised over £16m for 82 businesses. We are delighted that, through Halo, this process can be extended to make it more accessible to NI companies”.
Alan Watts, Director of Halo, said “This is one of a number of partnerships Halo has entered into both with crowdfunders and other angel groups”.
“Companies can now apply to Halo and we will direct them towards crowdfunding or conventional angels depending on which is best suited to their needs”.
Companies who are interested should contact Paul Clancy, Halo Manager (paul.clancy@nisp.co.uk).
