The early-stage companies secured the support following presentations in front of potential backers and guests at the Ellis Jones Solicitors sponsored showcase in Bournemouth.
Dorset Business Angels (DBA) provides private equity opportunities for high net worth (HNW) individuals and sophisticated investors (SI), bringing them together with businesses and entrepreneurs in the south.
Eight angel investors expressed interest in the Software as a Service (SaaS) air traffic management digital platform for regional and military airports. The business was seeking to raise the remaining of £300,000 of a £500,000 target to roll out exciting growth plans.
Seven investors expressed interest in a second company aiming to raise £200,000 to further grow sales of its revolutionary bra for high-impact sports.
Now lead angels have been appointed for due diligence and the next steps of the investment process.
The pitches and investors’ dinner followed Dorset Business Angels’ annual educational event – this year’s was a lead angel investor workshop – at Bournemouth Carlton Hotel.
The day was sponsored by regional law firm Ellis Jones Solicitors. Senior associate solicitor Diane Pearce and Associate solicitor Clementine Saulnier gave a presentation during the workshop on the importance of articles of association, the need for bespoke articles in some cases and shareholder agreements.
DBA chairman Don McQueen said: “Both the workshop and pitch event were hugely interesting and enjoyable.
“The workshop provided the opportunity for angels with some experience to benefit from the advice and expertise of others who have significant understanding and skill built up over many years.
“The pitch event delivered such diversity of opportunity to angels. The two pitches that gained interest were so very different in their product offering, yet both demonstrating strong potential for growth and innovation in their respective markets.”
Ellis Jones has 178 staff including 24 partners in seven offices across Dorset, Hampshire and London, including a specialist team of business solicitors expert in a wide range of legal matters. It has been a DBA sponsor since 2019.
Nigel Smith, managing partner of Ellis Jones Solicitors, said: “It’s important to support entrepreneurs and start-ups.
“We like to be involved with them in the early stages of their business journey and stay with them to help them grow and become successful.”
