The agreement means that YABA’s 120 angels will be offered the opportunity to invest in Acceleris’ projects.
The two groups believe this will mean that a greater level of funding will be offered to a wider range of businesses.
Also, Acceleris’ funding flyers will be carried on the YABA website, increasing the publicity of each offer.
Nigel Howes, chairman at Acceleris, said: “It means we are able to expand our network of potential private equity investors and for YABA members it means they will have access to a greater range of high quality opportunities.
“In the past year we have launched fund-raising projects for 10 companies, several of which involve technological applications at the very forefront of their particular markets.
“They all have the potential to become significant businesses delivering attractive returns for investors.”
Acceleris, founded in 2000, focuses on early and development stage businesses and plans to invest £40m in about 50 companies over the next five years.
Its partner YABA was launched in 1995 and has steadily grown since then.
YABA’s angels completed nine deals personally investing £370,000, but in the process triggering over £1m of investment.
In addition to these YABA projects, the group’s investors put up a further £992,000 for 14 other opportunities which were introduced from other sources.
Barbara Greaves, YABA manager, said: “We are delighted at the new strategic partnership with Acceleris which will enable us to increase the variety of quality investment opportunities we are able to bring to our members.”
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2006