‘Start-up Spotlight’ by Invested Investor, published in partnership with AngelNews:

In this issue of Startup Spotlight, EBAN President, Peter Cowley talks to the co-founder of Vantage Power, Alex Schey. Vantage Power designs and manufactures technology used in hybrid powertrains for new buses, as well as a retrofit solution for buses already on the road. Vantage Power's most recent award came in the form of the 'Most Disruptive Tech' at the UK British Angels Association awards 2017.

In this interview, Peter and Alex chatted about how Vantage Power took shape and about the lessons learned as an entrepreneur! 

By Siobhan Clarke, Episode 1  Ventures

Over a series of blogs, Episodde 1 is focusing on the Seed to Series A step of GTM and sharing what it means to think through the customer experience. This is the 4th article in the series. 

New research from eFront, the leading financial software and solutions provider dedicated to Alternative Investments, shows that while the 1990s might be thought of as a “golden era” for venture capital, returns figures do not back this assumption up.

On the heels of a strong 2017, the European economy has suffered a disappointing 2018 so far. 

A range of perspectives on all aspects of the Budget.

When founders share the same vision, ambition and dedication for a great business idea, the sky is the limit. The flip side is that when founders are at war, their business will be lucky to survive no matter how great the idea.

Listening to investors at the start of a new business can make the difference between success and failure, according to new research from the UCL School of Management that highlights the boost that crowdfunding offers.

Edison Strategic Insight: Market valuations improving in UK and Europe. There are risks, but valuation risk is slowly receding, with the exception of the US.

By Adrian Lloyd, Episode 1 Ventures

Getting venture investment is the first major turning point for a startup. All the months of work that went into pitching are over. There is money in the bank to turn plans into reality.

And there is now a VC firm (probably*) with a seat at your board meetings and a whole bunch of ideas for your business.

This is a challenging period for entrepreneurs who, understandably, will have established their own way of running their company. We come in with a lot of experience and advice, some of which might suggest very different ways of doing things.

By Matthew Cushen, co-founder of Worth Capital

Anecdotally, traditional investment orthodoxy may have it that mature companies are lower risk than new businesses and pensions are the most tax-efficient way to reduce tax liabilities. However, big companies are failing to innovate and adapt and lifetime allowance restrictions on pensions means looking elsewhere for tax reliefs. Just two reasons for Matthew Cushen to share his experience of seed investing through EIS & SEIS.

Gianluca Bisceglie, founder and CEO of Visyond, discusses why a lean startup model can help attract investment.

By Martin Sherwood, Enterprise Investment Partners

If you are considering investing in the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) this year, here are a few tips to bear in mind. The tax benefits of SEIS are very attractive, but there are a few pitfalls you need to avoid.