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Business angel investment levels in Scotland increase by a quarter during 2012

Scottish early-stage companies received over GBP15.6m through angel investment during the first nine months of this year, compared with GBP12.4m during the same period in 2011.



This is according to figures published by the national business angel association LINC Scotland

This significant increase in funding equates to 26 per cent uplift from Scottish angel syndicates for new and existing companies in their portfolios compared to the previous year.
 
Over GBP10m was attributed to LINC members, which is up 36 per cent from the GBP7.4m invested between January and September 2011. 

LINC represents 19 angel groups across Scotland and this year they have completed 59 investments, compared to 54 during the same period last year.
 
Public sector investment has also increased during the same nine month period versus last year, from GBP6.12m to GBP6.17m. The amount of investment raised between both the private and public sectors has increased overall by 18 per cent from GBP18.49m to GBP21.79m.
 
In addition, the number of companies supported by angel investment in Scotland has risen by 13 per cent during this period compared to last year. During the year, 49 companies have received funds from Scottish angels; of these 15 are new companies, which is nearly 40 per cent increase on the previous year with the remaining 34 already existing across the angel portfolios.
 
David Grahame, chief executive of LINC Scotland, says: “It would appear that the economic backdrop and challenges faced by companies failing to secure funding from traditional routes, such as the banks is creating an opportunity for the angel groups to support up and coming Scottish talent. The results are extremely encouraging; especially the number of new companies that have received angel investment during 2012.
 
“Business angel investment in Scotland is on an upward trend and the figures demonstrate that angels are still prepared to invest if the right opportunity is presented to them.”

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