For Founders

We invest in women led and diverse teams at the early stage often referred to as pre or seed investment in any sector with a social, ethical or environmental purpose with a focus on supporting the under funded sectors of Food & Drink, Beauty, Health and Wellbeing, Retail, Creative Industries, Tourism, Veterinary, Online Market places, and Femtech.

Our Investment Criteria

  • 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 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
  • A willingness to be supported by advisors / mentors
  • Priority given to companies based in Scotland or that can demonstrate a significant global impact on womankind

Our Angel Investment Toolkit

Visit our Angel Investment Toolkit for details of what happens before during and after a successful angel investment deal.

There has been a lot of focus on how to successfully pitch to prospective investors. Pitching is important, but there is a lot more to it than that.

In the Toolkit you will find:

    • a helpful checklist to determine if you are ready for angel investment;
    • a step-by step-guide to the full process;
    • information on negotiating and understanding what investors are thinking;
    • legal templates.

What Is Our Process?

Here is a guide to our process, but it will vary for different angel investment groups. 

Hidden

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

Step 1: Refer to the Angel Investment Toolkit

Refer to our Angel Investor Toolkit and Checklist prior to completing our online application form.

Step 2: Initial Screening

We will assess the information submitted in the application form.

Step 3: Further Information

If all criteria are met, we may ask for some further clarification / information.

Step 4: Introductory Call

If you meet all our criteria you will have an introductory call with a member of Mint Ventures.

Step 5: One Page Summary

Complete a one page template summary to be sent to our members.

Step 6: Member's Vote

If members vote to hear more, you will be invited to a Members Meeting. 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 7: Checks and Verification (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 8: Term Sheet Offer

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 can help you by providing the right expertise to support your company grow. This can be through advice from one of our members or through coaching and mentoring to support with challenges such as building your board with the right fit advisors /non-executive directors and advisors or making introductions. 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 – as there needs to be a clear pathway for investors to receive a return on their investment which is most usually through the sale of your business to a larger company or floating on one of the stock exchanges. 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, you can book a half hour slot to provide 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 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.