• Swindon & Wiltshire Support
• Wednesday May 20 2026

Angel investors seek new members as activity gathers pace

A group of angel investors is looking for new members to join its growing network, as it reports a strong start to 2026 and passes a major milestone, having invested £2.1 million into 24 early-stage businesses since March 2024.

Between January and April 2026 alone, Angel Investors Bristol invested £500,000 into six businesses across Bristol, Bath and the wider South West.

Recent investments include Luna the Dental Vets, Neuronostics, Zeepy, Unio Works, Astral Systems and Republiqe, spanning health and life sciences, sustainability, technology and creative industries.

The milestone reflects a sustained rise in demand from founders seeking not just capital, but engaged, local angels who can offer insight, experience and long-term support.

AIB typically backs SEIS and EIS-qualifying businesses, giving investors access to government tax reliefs that significantly reduce the downside risks inherent in early-stage investments.

Individual members commonly invest between £5,000 and £10,000 per opportunity, with angels collectively investing between £50,000 and £250,000.

As deal flow continues to increase, AIB is actively looking to expand its membership and so that it can invest more into more early-stage growth opportunities across the region.

Pete Lockett, director at AIB, said: “We are actively growing our membership and want to open angel investing to a much broader mix of people. Angel investing is not a closed club or the preserve of retirees.

“Today, it’s about bringing fresh capital, different perspectives and lived experience to support the next generation of businesses.

“The South West ecosystem must continue to grow and our investor base needs to grow with it and be just as diverse and dynamic as the founders it supports.

“Many members start with investments from as little as £1,000, allowing people to build experience gradually while benefiting from the SEIS and EIS tax framework.”

Alongside its investment activity, AIB is strengthening its network infrastructure, ensuring it can scale sustainably while continuing to deliver value to both investors and founders.

Alison Cooper has joined the AIB Board, bringing significant financial, strategic and consumer market leadership experience.

Alison spent a decade as CEO of Imperial Brands, where she led major business transformation and next-generation product growth, and now combines advisory
roles and private investment with active involvement in South West community initiatives.

Led by Alan Furley of ISL Talent, AIB has also established a new advisory board drawn from existing members.

With a focus on strategy, AI, digital transformation, technology and communications, the board deepens the strategic support available to portfolio companies, as AIB believe that effective angel investing combines capital with capability.

AIB is open to both experienced angels and first-time investors, offering a collaborative model that enables members to learn together, share knowledge and reduce individual risk.

By keeping early-stage capital focused on the Bristol, Bath and the South West region, AIB continues to play an active and important role in strengthening the South West’s innovation economy.