Minerva Business Angels, part of the University of Warwick Science Park, is a well-established angel network providing significant support to early-stage companies across the UK. Operating since 1994, it focuses on sectors such as technology, healthcare, and green technology, targeting businesses with strong growth potential. Minerva connects entrepreneurs with investors through its ten investment groups located in the Midlands, London, and the North West. The programme’s close collaboration with academic institutions like Aston and Birmingham universities provides portfolio companies with access to cutting-edge research and resources, further aiding their innovation journey.

Minerva has facilitated investments totalling £63 million since 2010, with an additional £35 million through co-investment opportunities. These funds typically support companies at the seed, venture, and growth stages, with investment amounts ranging from £1 million to £5 million per company. Its geographical focus lies primarily within the UK, where it has backed over 100 businesses, helping them scale and thrive in competitive sectors. The network’s flexibility allows for a broad investment range, fostering innovation within a diverse portfolio of companies in cities like Birmingham, Coventry, and London.

In the period between 2017 to June 2024, the network invested a total of £61.1m in 70 UK companies in 104 fundraising rounds. The average turnover of those companies was £1.85m and their average number of employees was 11.

Beyond financial support, Minerva offers strategic mentorship and regional resources through partnerships with Sci-Tech Daresbury and Black Country Growth Hub. Minerva has a strong track record of nurturing scaleups, including repeat investments in several visible scaleup companies, such as We Are Group, which experienced significant job growth under Minerva’s guidance. Through its investments, Minerva fosters sustainable growth, often seeing companies exit successfully, including acquisitions and increased revenue, as seen with Econotherm, which achieved a remarkable revenue boost post-investment.

Minerva website