Angel investment in Scotland remains steady – Daily Business

Scotland’s angel investors maintained their support for emerging SMEs, according to the latest annual data. 

Figures from Angel Capital Scotland, the national association for the sector, show that the number of investments was broadly flat at 91 from 94 in 2023-24, and the value of private capital committed increased slightly to £106.4m from £100.6m.

This is said to reflect an increasing average deal size. Public sector co-investment provided a further £25.6m.

There was a wide range in the value of individual deal sizes from around £20,000 to more than £4m.

The support was heavily focused on companies with proprietary intellectual property in key technology sectors, with life sciences / health, digital / software, and enabling technologies such as photonics, accounting for almost two thirds of the total.  The energy, renewable and environmental sectors also continued to grow. 

Geographic distribution was nationwide including Highlands & Islands and Southern Scotland, but the national hotspot continued to be Edinburgh and Lothian.

David Grahame, executive director at Angel Capital Scotland, said: “Business angels necessarily take a long-term view rather than overreacting to current events and it is good to see our members actually further increasing their commitment to supporting Scotland’s most exciting young companies.

“At the same time, the increasing range of institutional and other co-investors is an encouraging sign of a maturing ecosystem.”

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