In the current environment with economic uncertainty, rising costs and labour shortages, it can be difficult at times to remain optimistic. Maintaining positive mental well-being is essential for overall health and quality of life. It not only benefits individuals personally but also has ripple effects on relationships, productivity, and longevity. Incorporating healthy habits into your daily routine can significantly contribute to a sense of balance, resilience, and emotional stability. By prioritising activities that promote mental wellness, you can cultivate greater happiness, reduce stres ..read more

Angel investors play a pivotal role in fostering the growth and success of portfolio companies. While the infusion of capital is undeniably crucial, the value an angel investor brings extends far beyond financial backing. Below are ways angel investors can make a significant impact on the growth of a portfolio company through non-financial means, leveraging their specific knowledge, skills and expertise as appropriate.  Strategic Guidance and Mentorship:  Leveraging experience and industry knowledge, angel investors act as mentors, providing a fresh perspective for informed decisio ..read more

As the calendar flips to its final pages, startup business owners find themselves at a crucial juncture—one that demands reflection, strategic planning, and preparation for the challenges and opportunities that the new year may bring. Year-end considerations are not just about wrapping up and preparing for closure during the holiday season; they are about laying the groundwork for future success. Here’s a guide for startup owners and leaders on navigating the year-end with confidence and foresight: 1. Reflect on Achievements and Lessons Take a moment to reflect on the journey your startup has ..read more

The strength of the Enterprise Angels brand is dependent on the commitment of our members volunteering time to support the early-stage ecosystem. This month we acknowledged those members who have made a real commitment to supporting the startup ecosystem with our Annual Angel awards. We are grateful to our Strategic Partners, Priority One, Cooney Lees Morgan and Craigs Investment Partners for sponsoring this year’s awards. Each winner received a trophy and a Chuffed experience voucher. Chuffed is a local Tauranga company who is on a mission to change gift giving in New Zealand by connecting ..read more

After 15 years of angel investing, it’s interesting to see the outcomes of our investments, the number of companies that have failed and the number of companies that are thriving. This information gives investors a better sense for likely returns and strategies to achieve them. The number of angel successes and investee companies that are thriving is promising, but ‘investor beware’, angel investing is high risk – there are no two ways about it. Portfolio overview Overall we’ve invested in 106 companies and had 32 exits. 15 companies have provided positive investment returns – 12 of these we ..read more

Since its enactment in June 2019, the R&D (research and development) tax credit scheme is currently in its fourth year of running (with application from the 2020 income year).  The scheme provides a 15% credit on your R&D costs and can be applied by a company that is either profit-making or loss-making.  For companies making losses, the tax credit can be refunded provided certain thresholds are satisfied. From an operational perspective, the applications under the R&D tax credit scheme are rigorously reviewed by Callaghan Innovation (general approval application) and Inl ..read more

This year Enterprise Angels celebrates 15 years of angel investing. Based in Tauranga, it has become one of New Zealand’s largest, most active, and best resourced Angel networks in New Zealand.  Enterprise Angels offers a unique model of early stage investing in New Zealand with a professional management team, 20+ partner organisations, 200+ Angel investors, and 150 wholesale investors. To date it has facilitated the investment of over $65m in 107 New Zealand startups across a variety of industries, supporting over 1600 jobs. Founding of Enterprise Angels  Enterprise Angels was ..read more

We’re excited to announce that Enterprise Angels has completed our first close for EA Fund 4 of $2m. Recently launched EA Fund 4 is like our previous three funds in many ways, but the key differentiator is it will not be a ‘side-car fund’, meaning it can invest independently of the angel group, undertaking due diligence and accessing deals from a broader range of sources providing greater diversification for investors and a more streamlined process for startups.  We are aiming to raise $5 million with a maximum of $10 million to invest in up to 35 next generation innovative startups that ..read more

It’s been another rollercoaster twelve months with some highs; having great attendance at in-person events again, some significant milestones achieved by our portfolio companies, and some lows; rapidly changing economic conditions, and adverse weather events. Portfolio review Over the financial year Enterprise Angels has facilitated investments in eight new start-ups and 31 existing portfolio companies, totaling $4.8m (down on last year’s total of $9.3m). We have distributed $800K to investors, predominantly from one deal (not surprising in the current climate that it is significantly down o ..read more

A hot tip for any savvy investor is portfolio diversification. By investing in different asset classes, industries, regions and stages you will reduce your risk, minimise losses and maximise returns. Throughout this post we will look at risk and return, asset allocation, diversification and how Angel networks and funds can positively contribute to your investment portfolio. How to balance risk and return Balancing your risk and return through asset allocation allows you to spread your investments across different asset classes; equity, property, fixed interest (bonds etc) or cash (money in th ..read more