For Entrepreneurs
We invest in diverse teams that include ambitious companies at any growth stage and within any sector that meets the needs and interests of women in particular the under funded sectors of Food&Drink, Beauty, Health and Wellbeing, Retail, Creative Industries, Veterinary, Marketplace, Femtech and health tech.
To apply companies must have at least one woman in a position of leadership either in the management team or board.
Our Investment Thesis
- An innovative product / service that meets the needs or interests of women
- At least one woman in the leadership team or board
- Large potential market(s) that can demonstrate a sustainable return to patient investors within 5-7 years
- A clear purpose including how Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) criteria will be met – which may include human rights, preserving the environment, good corporate governance, sustainability, avoidance of unethical products, ethical sourcing and social impact.
- Raising £50,000-£200,000 of seed equity investment
- UK business eligible for EIS/SEIS tax relief (Guidance on applying for advance assurance)
- A willingness to be supported by advisors / mentors
- Preferably based in Scotland or have a signifcant global impact on womankind
Checklist – Are You Ready For Investment?
For investors it’s all about balancing risk and return. We completely understand that your company is your baby and would like you to reciprocate by understanding what will encourage us to invest in you to help nurture your company.
For investors it’s all about risk and return. We completely understand that your company is your baby and would like you to reciprocate by understanding what will encourage us to invest in you to help nurture your company.
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Experience
How much experience of managing a growing company do you have and how are you addressing any skills gaps by building this into your current and future team?
Potential Market
Can you clearly demonstrate the market potential and how your company can grow to take a share of that market?
Customers and sales
Do you have evidence from current or potential customers that they will buy your product or service?
Competition
Competition clearly identified, both direct and indirect – can you clearly explain your unique selling points / competitive advantage and how you will establish and protect this position?
Financials
Clear and credible figures that demonstrate the projected profit and loss, cashflow and balance sheet for a minimum of three years.
Investment Amount
How much investment are you looking for and what will it be used for over what time period? Product development, marketing, tooling, increasing capacity, team expansion, location expansion – these are typically the areas of spend that an investor will see as fuelling future growth.
It might be useful for you to know that research indicates, in certain sectors, the valuation you get for your company can be considerably increased if you have a product that is already selling. Please bear this in mind when you think about timing of seeking angel investment.
Mint Ventures prefers to invest at the early seed stage when there is a proven concept and market validation from potential customers. Bootstrapping and crowdfunding can however be useful earlier funding to get your company to this point.
What Is Our Process?
Here is an outline guideline to our process, but it will of course vary from company to company.
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Step 1: Complete an Application Form
Complete the simple application form here.
Step 2: Introductory Call
Within a working week we will get back to you and if you have been successful through our first review we will arrange an informal introductory call.
Step 3: Initial Screening
You will be asked to submit a business plan or outline plan and other relevant documents. Within a month a decision will be made to proceed to next stage.
Step 4: Members Meeting
You will be invited to a Members’ meeting to discuss your company and investment ask. This will be a flexible style of presentation tailored to suit everyone’s needs. Often this presentation is referred to as pitching, however we see this as a Q&A style chat where you will have the option of preparing a presentation or not.
Step 5: Due Diligence
The first phase of due diligence, where we review your company assets, customer validation, etc., will start before issuing of any term sheet. You will only progress to full due diligence once terms are accepted.
Step 6: Offer
Term Sheet Offered. Once terms are accepted you will then proceed to full due diligence which usually takes up to three months, however it can take longer to complete an investment depending on several factors.
At all stages of the process we will give you relevant and timely feedback and updates.
How Else Do We Support Investee Companies?
We provide smart and patient money. We can help you by providing the right mentors with relevant professional expertise and help you build your board with the right fit advisors and non-executive directors and advisors. We can also help signpost to relevant grant funding that can be leveraged through raising angel investment.
Signposting To Other Support
Raising investment for your business is not an easy process and many companies are not suitable for angel funding – on average only about 1 in 100 applications to angel syndicates proceed to investment. If your business is not right for Mint Ventures to invest in, that doesn’t mean it’s not a good business idea – you may be just too early for angel investment or simply not meet our investment criteria.
If you are too early for investment, we will do our best to give you some helpful advice and signpost you to further support. You can find a lot of useful early-stage support on our resources page.
And if you don’t meet our investment criteria, we will clearly explain why, and where possible signpost you to other business angel groups and funding sources that may be more suitable for you at this stage.