Royal College of Art Launches AngelClubRCA Investment Network

AngelClubRCA members will secure privileged access to cutting-edge, Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS)-eligible businesses being incubated at InnovationRCA, providing them with the opportunity to play a critical role in promoting and encouraging commercial enterprise in the UK.

This year’s eight incubated companies have been selected by InnovationRCA’s expert Start-Up Investment Board, against criteria that identify them as the most able to produce a scaleable business model around an original idea. Each start-up company will be incubated for 12 months at the RCA’s Battersea campus, where they are supported with seed funding, business mentoring from over 30 industry experts with a wide range of expertise, investor-readiness coaching, training and office space, as well as access to making and testing facilities.   

InnovationRCA has an ambitious and comprehensive start-up programme that fosters talented graduates to develop and commercialise their intellectual property, supporting the role of entrepreneurship to impressive outcomes. Since 2009, InnovationRCA has launched 24 start-ups, 17 of which are now trading, making it the most successful spin-off company university in Britain. It has created over 250 jobs and helped its start-up companies secure millions in funding from a targeted range of sources and platforms.

Former InnovationRCA start-ups have developed into companies that combine design innovation with technology, engineering and new materials across a wide range of sectors  — many of whom have secured further interest and funding from prestigious investors. Loowatt was awarded a $1 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to roll out its waterless sanitation system in Sub-Saharan Africa. ROLI has raised upwards of £10 million, one of the largest ever fundraisings for a music hardware company. 

The RCA provides invaluable support to Master’s and Research alumni, long after graduation. These eight new start-up businesses will develop inside that successful model, receiving a continuing package of support from the RCA, with the additional benefit of angel investment to grow their businesses.

AngelClubRCA is open to new members, who will meet the chosen start-ups on 17 November 2015. Chaired by Rupert Hambro CBE, the network is a unique opportunity, open to only 25 investors this year, to support a carefully selected business seeking SEIS-qualifying investment. Members may invest individually or as a part of a syndicate, and are able to move into non-executive directorships within investment businesses. Angels will receive quarterly updates from their investee company, as well as invitations to company presentations and select networking events.