Dorset Business Angels (DBA) has launched a pilot Ambassador Programme an innovative initiative designed to strengthen the pipeline of investment-ready businesses in the region. The initiative aims to forge stronger connections between DBA and key business incubation partners, ensuring promising startups receive the guidance they need before seeking investment.
“The pilot Ambassador Programme represents a strategic shift in how we identify and develop investment opportunities,” says MD Peter Eales. “By engaging earlier in a company’s journey, we can help shape their development and ensure they’re truly ready for investment when they pitch to our members.”
The pilot programme addresses a common challenge in angel investing: the gap between promising innovations and investment-ready businesses. DBA Ambassadors work directly with partner organisations that have formal incubation processes, helping to identify viable innovations and support founders in developing robust business models for commercialisation.
Building stronger foundations
In this pilot phase, the Ambassador role involves more than just identifying potential investments. Ambassadors work alongside other DBA investors to provide pre-pitch guidance, helping companies prepare the essential information typically required during due diligence. This approach front-loads some of the traditional post-pitch work, leading to more efficient investment decisions and higher-quality presentations.
DBA Ambassador, Chris Spackman has been working with Southampton University’s accelerator Futureworlds for many years and will pilot this new approach with them, “My experience has shown that when you engage with founders earlier in their journey, you can better understand their capabilities, business model, and potential risks. You can then help the ones close to being investable work towards meeting our criteria for investing. This makes the entire process more efficient for everyone involved,” notes Chris.
Beyond traditional deal flow
The pilot programme marks a significant evolution in DBA’s approach to sourcing investment opportunities. While maintaining its investor-centric focus, the initiative leverages the expertise of its membership base to mentor and guide promising businesses before they seek investment.
Key benefits of the programme include:
- Earlier engagement with potential investment opportunities
- Improved understanding of founder capabilities and commitment
- Better-prepared investment pitches
- Streamlined due diligence process
- Stronger relationships with key innovation partners in the region
Join the initiative
DBA is currently seeking experienced members to serve as Ambassadors for other key organisations and networks. Ideal candidates should have experience with startup lifecycles, mentoring, investing, and an understanding of DBA’s due diligence process and criteria.
For members interested in becoming an Ambassador during this pilot phase or organisations looking to partner with DBA, please send an introductory email to contact@dorsetbusinessangels.co.uk.
Help us build stronger bridges between innovation and investment in the Dorset business community.
