Global seed fund Angel Holdings set to launch

Dublin-based seed fund Angel Holdings will launch in November, coinciding with Global Entrepreneurship Week, with the fund aimed at start-ups from across the globe and in all sectors.

Angel Holdings executive director Adele Hinze says the fund was set up to narrow the gap between start-ups and angel investors, but on a global scale.

“There are many investment platforms out there but most are locally based. Where they focus on local business, Angel Holdings focuses on attracting… start-ups worldwide,” she says.

“We would like investors to broaden their portfolio, make their funds available outside their current location and share their knowledge with start-ups from other countries.”

Angel Holdings has several aims for each start-up, including the provision of a structured business plan template, mentoring, and meetings with angel investors and venture capitalists.

“We provide online support as well as email support… Your start-up can be in India, Australia, Africa, USA, Europe, Iceland, the North or South Pole. It makes no difference,” Hinze says.

“Because we are based online, all you need is to connect with us on our website and we’ll work with you.”

“The way we have structured funding is to support all start-ups – from 20,000 Euros to those who need a good few million. You decide how much your start-up needs and we will do our best to help you get exactly that.”

Despite the turmoil gripping the global economy, Hinze believes this is “an extremely vibrant time” for venture capitalists, claiming there has never been a better time to start a business.

“The availability of seed funds to invest in companies in 2011 is at its highest level in 30 years… There is a global drive to increase the number of new start-ups,” she says.

“Governments around the world are providing tax relief and other incentives, such as grants, to help new ventures get on their feet.”

“We have a global recession on hand, and industry experts agree that the best time to start a business is in a recession. If your start-up survives the bad times, it will flourish without a hitch in times of feast.”

Her advice to start-ups is “know your plan and figures”, including knowing what you plan to do, how you plan to do it, and how your idea translates into profit.

“Practice your pitch and be able to deliver it in the time it takes an elevator ride. Don’t get defensive when you are criticised… The professionals will tell you what you need to hear,” she says.

Start-ups can register their interest in Angel Holdings at www.Angel-Holdings.com. The platform will be live in October before its official launch on November 14.