A programme powered by the leading Business Angel Network in Norfolk and Suffolk, designed to prepare early-stage, innovative companies for angel investment.

The Halo Programme for Investment Readiness launches in Suffolk in January 2025

In partnership with Suffolk County Council, Connected Innovation and the British Business Bank, Anglia Capital Group are excited to be bringing The Halo Programme to Suffolk in January 2025.

This programme is fully funded. Applications close on 24th November and the programme will run from January to March 2025. To take part, your business must be located in Suffolk.

Apply here

Join The Halo Programme

Delivered by industry experts, this course goes into detail about every aspect needed before approaching angel investors for growth capital.

The workshops will be delivered over several weeks by real investors, practising lawyers, accountants and professionals will cover key topics such as:

Introduction to angel investment
Understanding your marketplace
Financial forecasting and valuing your business
Shareholder legal documents demystified
Pitch perfection
Sector-specific case studies and lessons learned by real entrepreneurs

The final session will see the participants pitch in front of real Angel Investors for practical feedback. At the end of the programme, all participants will receive a completion pack with useful materials and content as well as personalised feedback on their pitch from real Angel Investors. Participants will have access to mentors throughout the duration of the programme.

To take part in the programme starting in January 2025, your business must be located in Suffolk.

Download Case Study

If your business is based in Norfolk, Essex or Cambridgeshire and you are interested in future cohorts, please register your interest above and we will keep you updated with new dates when they are confirmed.

Programme Agenda

Over the course of 10 weeks Founders will attend a series of workshops which cover all aspects of investment readiness.

Welcome Session - A chance to meet your peers, the programme co-ordinators, mentors and
partners.

Marketing - Understanding your marketplace and go to market strategy.

Financial Forecasts & Tax - Financial forecasts and modelling. Understanding tax reliefs for Angel Investors..

Legal Documents Demystified - Understand the purpose of and differences between the various
shareholder documents used by businesses.

Intellectual Property - What constitutes IP? What needs to be protected and what value do investors put on IP?

HR & Building the Right Team - Why is it so important to have the right team from the start? Simple tactics to avoid catastrophe. Employee share schemes and options for recruiting the right person when you don't have the budget.

Valuing Your Business - Understanding how the value of your business affects the % shareholding
that an investor will take. An overview of valuation methodologies and why valuing a start-up
business is so difficult. How do you value your business today?

With follow-up 1:1 valuation sessions.

ACG Pitching Event - Complimentary invitation to attend a real Anglia Capital Group pitching event and get a behind the scenes look at the questions that investors ask and the discussions they have. Meet ACG members and the pitching companies.

Pitch Practice Workshop - Each participant will give a pitch using what they have learnt.
Everyone will have the opportunity to provide feedback to their peers. This session will be attended by a real Angel Investor who will provide feedback.

With follow-up 1:1 practice and feedback sessions.

Finale Showcase - This session will comprise of a live pitching event. Participants will use
everything they have learned over the course to deliver a pitch to a panel of Angel Investors.

"Startup success is all about successful execution. I have experience of many startups and, while no two are exactly the same, the themes that underpin success are definitely similar even if the emphasis may vary between startups.

East Anglia has traditionally been weak in providing support for budding entrepreneurs because of its geography and rural nature. It’s difficult to access advice face to face. The range of startups in East Anglia has a much broader base than in many other areas of the UK – which often tend to focus on particular niches. The Halo programme addresses that with direct access to a range of successful people in the region who understand startups at a granular level, have a wide experience of different business models, markets, and technologies, and who are keen to pass on their knowledge.

There is nothing more exciting than creating a successful startup and whatever happens, you will gain a huge range of transferable skills, expertise, and experience. Enjoy the journey."

Richard Barber, ACG Investor Member & Halo Programme Mentor

Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment, and you are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.