Dorset Business Angels (DBA) hosted a successful pitch event on Monday evening at the Bournemouth Carlton Hotel, with three of the five presenting companies receiving expressions of interest from the 30+ attending angel investors, and continued engagement following the event. The event highlighted the continued appetite for innovative tech investments in the region, with AI and accessibility solutions generating particular excitement.
AI tech leads the way
An AI technology company emerged as the standout pitch of the evening, garnering 11 expressions of interest from angel investors. This innovative firm utilises advanced artificial intelligence to transform unstructured scientific data into actionable digital assets. Their platform extracts valuable information from technical documents that would otherwise be inaccessible, helping research organisations accelerate R&D timelines while significantly reducing data handling costs. The company will now move into the due diligence stage led by a DBA-appointed Lead Investor.
This tech firm was the first company to come to DBA through their Ambassador Programme. DBA Ambassador, Chris Spackman, who works closely with a Southampton University accelerator programme, brought the team to DBA, “I was delighted to introduce this team to DBA members. Having mentored them for three years now, I was certain of their readiness to pitch, and I’m so pleased that it was received so well.”
Accessibility tech solution gains traction
A second tech company secured ten expressions of interest with their accessibility-focused solution. This firm has developed a user interface that makes technology accessible for those who find digital devices such as mobile phones and tablets challenging to use. Working in partnership with a major electronics manufacturer, they’ve created a deeply embedded interface that helps overcome barriers to digital inclusion faced by millions of people due to age, disability, or learning difficulties.
The pitch highlighted their impressive commercial traction, including partnerships with major retailers and telecom operators. They’ve already launched with several distribution channels in the UK and Germany, with plans to expand further into European markets.
Sports nutrition shows promise
A sports nutrition company also attracted significant attention with five expressions of interest. This company showcased their range of organic, plant-based energy pouches designed specifically for endurance sports and outdoor activities at the increasingly popular Meet the Founders session. This pre-event networking opportunity allowed investors to sample their offerings while engaging informally with the team before the formal pitch.
Gaming innovation attracts interest
Our last pitch of the event was from a local online gaming company. Since the event, they have continued to attract interest through DBA’s pitch portal, with further engagement from investors who were unable to attend the evening and one of our key funding partners. The company has also attracted attention from major sports organisations and global streaming platforms, demonstrating the broad commercial appeal of their innovative approach to combining sports with traditional gaming.
A further company presented an interesting opportunity at the event, but did not receive expressions of interest at this stage.
Building the regional investment community
Don McQueen, DBA Chair, commented on the event’s success: “DBA continues to introduce its members to wide-ranging investment opportunities. We are nurturing a strong investment community in Dorset through our pitch events and have recently introduced a social element to our events programme which also went down very well. We are looking forward to our next event on September 29th, entrepreneurs interested in pitching to us should visit our website to find out how to submit their plans.”
The evening also featured a presentation from Claire Main of BCP Council’s Economic Development Team, who shared news and future plans for the region’s business ecosystem.
Next steps for entrepreneurs
DBA’s structured approach to matching entrepreneurs with potential investors continues to prove effective, with interested companies first passing through a screening committee before being invited to pitch at these quarterly events. Entrepreneurs seeking investment opportunities can find more information about the application process on the DBA website.
About Dorset Business Angels
Dorset Business Angels brings together investors and entrepreneurs to accelerate the growth of early-stage companies. Founded in 2013, DBA is a member of the UK Business Angels Association and is committed to supporting innovative businesses across all sectors, with a particular focus on the South of England.
