Minerva Business Angel Network

Minerva Business Angel Network, founded in 1994 as an integral component of the University of Warwick Science Park, serves as a sophisticated platform connecting private investors with promising technology startups. With nearly three decades of experience, this investor collective has established itself as a crucial bridge between capital and innovation in the UK's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Their unique positioning within an academic science park environment provides them with early access to cutting-edge research and technology commercialization opportunities that might otherwise remain undiscovered by traditional investment channels.

Distinguished by their dual-focused approach, Minerva excels not only in identifying investment opportunities but also in preparing early-stage companies for successful fundraising. Their comprehensive mentorship program helps entrepreneurs refine business models, develop compelling pitches, and structure their companies for sustainable growth. This preparation phase has proven critical to Minerva's impressive success rate, with portfolio companies demonstrating higher-than-average survival rates compared to the broader UK startup landscape.

The network primarily focuses on emerging technology sectors including healthtech, cleantech, advanced manufacturing, and digital innovations. Typically engaging at seed and early Series A stages, Minerva angels generally invest between £50,000 and £500,000 per deal, often participating in syndicated investments to provide more substantial funding rounds. Their geographic concentration centers on the Midlands region, though their investment reach extends throughout the United Kingdom, with particular strength in university-adjacent innovation clusters.

Operating on a not-for-profit basis, Minerva distinguishes itself from commercially-driven angel networks through its commitment to fostering regional economic development and technological advancement rather than maximizing management fees. This mission-driven approach has earned Minerva recognition as one of the UK's most active angel networks, with a portfolio spanning over 100 companies and a cumulative investment exceeding £25 million. Their investor membership includes seasoned entrepreneurs, industry experts, and corporate executives who contribute not just capital but valuable strategic guidance, sector expertise, and business connections to their portfolio companies.