Show Notes 141: Angel Academe - championing female founders & investors

This week's episode kicks off with a roundup of significant developments in the Cambridge tech scene:

• SparkCell's Major Grant: SparkCell has secured a €1.9 million grant from the European Innovation Council. This funding will help them scale their innovative technology that transforms cellulose from materials like wood pulp into vibrant, non-toxic colour solutions. Dr. Benjamin, the founder, emphasised, “This European Innovation Council funding is transformative for SparkCell, allowing us to accelerate our manufacturing scale-up.”

• Funding Surge in Cambridge: Cambridge startups raised an impressive $2.3 billion in 2023, nearly doubling the previous year’s figures. This surge highlights the city’s robust science-led innovation ecosystem, making it the second most valuable tech ecosystem in the UK.

• Carbon 13's Investment: The climate tech accelerator Carbon 13 has invested £1.2 million into eight startups, showcasing the growing focus on sustainable solutions in the tech landscape.

• Bango's New Licensing Agreement: Cambridge-based mobile commerce company Bango has partnered with Optimum, a leading US telecommunications provider, to offer subscription bundles powered by their digital vending machine.

These headlines set the stage for an engaging discussion about the evolving landscape of tech investment and the importance of supporting female entrepreneurs.

Interview with Sarah Turner, Founder of Angel Academy

In the second part of the episode, Faye and James welcome Sarah Turner, the founder of Angel Academy, who shares her journey and insights into supporting female tech startups. Here are some key takeaways from their conversation:

Empowering Female Investors: Sarah founded Angel Academy in 2014 to mobilise more women as angel investors and support female founders. She noted, “I wanted to do something for women, mobilise more of them as angel investors.”

Evolving the Network: With over 1,000 registered investors and a core community of around 100 active angels, Sarah highlighted the importance of diversity. “70% of our core community are women, which is our big differentiator in the market.”

Launch of the EIS Fund: Sarah announced the launch of the UK’s first EIS fund focused on female founders, aiming to raise £1.2 million. This fund will allow investors to support a portfolio of female-led startups, with a minimum investment of £10,000. “Now feels like a really good time to get behind female founders,” she said.

Investment Criteria: Sarah shared that Angel Academy looks for tech or science-based businesses with a unique technological edge. She encourages potential investors and founders to connect with the Academy for guidance and support.

Why You Should Tune In

This episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiring stories that highlight the importance of diversity in tech investment. Whether you’re a startup founder seeking funding or a venture capitalist looking to expand your portfolio, there’s something here for everyone.

Key Quote to Remember:

“Angel investors are made, not born.” – Sarah Turner

Join us as we explore the dynamic world of tech investment and the vital role of female entrepreneurs in shaping the future. Don’t miss out on this enlightening discussion—listen to the full episode and subscribe to the Cambridge Tech Podcast for more insights and updates from the tech capital of the UK!

To listen and subscribe, search for ‘Cambridge Tech Podcast’ on your favourite podcasting platform or visit cambridgetechpodcast.com.