When we speak

While the dynamics of each investment will vary, Oxford Venture Angels typically evaluate early-stage investment opportunities according to the following broad criteria. You will need to address these within your pitch deck.

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Management Team

Is your team, driven, coachable, and willing to cede some control and decision-making authority to outside investors?

We want to see an established credible team within a UK registered and operated business.

Customer Focus

Do you have an identifiable market segment? Is there a demonstrable and significant demand for your proposed solution?

We have a preference for B2B companies. We want to see science and engineering-based tools or technology, that is ideally proprietary and IP-rich.

Market size and growth rate

Is your target market large and growing? Can your chosen segment(s) enable the creation of a sizeable business?

We want to see a realistic market greater than £100m,.

Competition

Have you identified all potential competitors? Do you understand your company’s differentiation points? What barriers to entry will help your company to maintain a competitive advantage?

We want to see clear differentiation from competitors, ideally driven by defensible Intellectual Property.

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Sales Strategy

Profit Potential

Capital Requirements

Financial Projections

Is your target market large and growing? Can your chosen segment(s) enable the creation of a sizeable business? We understand that sales may take some time in deeptech and healthcare verticals.

Can you demonstrate how high margins (15%+) and consistent cash flow growth will be achieved?

Do you require between £150k and £1.5m to finance growth activities, including product development, recruiting key staff, launching sales and marketing activity?

Have you developed reasonable financial projections - including an income statement, cash flow and balance sheet and supporting spreadsheets - based on logical, realistic assumptions?

Exit Strategy

Business Plan

Do you have a clear exit strategy that will enable angel investors to generate a return of at least ten times their initial investment within five to seven years, or five times their investment in two to three years?

Have you developed a comprehensive business plan that articulates your key business strategies for how you will grow your venture?