New data released by Innovate Finance, the industry body representing the FinTech community in the UK, reveals the global FinTech investment trends from the first half of 2022. 

Demand for funding from early-stage businesses in Northern Ireland remains strong, with more than 20 co-investment deals closed in the second quarter of this year, according to the managers of the Co-Fund NI co-investment fund.

Equity investment in the UK’s smaller businesses increased by 88% in 2021 to £18.1bn compared to the previous year, the highest yearly amount since the Beauhurst data series began in 2011, reveals the British Business Bank’s annual Small Business Equity Tracker, published today. The strong momentum continued into Q1 2022, with £7.6bn of equity investment reaching smaller businesses, the highest amount invested in a single quarter at nearly double that of the £4.3bn in Q1 2021. 

Research gathered by LegalTech company SeedLegals suggests that there are six sectors to watch if you’re thinking about investing in or starting a business in the UK.

A record £1.3bn value in UK agri-tech deals was reached in 2021*, showing sustained interest in technologies that offer solutions to the challenges of rising input costs, food security and environmental impacts. Behind the headlines is a strong pipeline of early-stage companies considering the best strategy for investment and the growing number of options for accessing and structuring funding.

Since 1994, Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS) have been an important tool in the investors’ kit, but many potential investors worry that EIS-eligible businesses are too high risk. Craig Harman, a tax specialist at Perrys Chartered Accountants, explains everything you need to know about Enterprise Investment Schemes, and the tax savings you might be missing out on if you’re not getting involved.

UK law firm Shoosmiths has sponsored the 2022 Gender Index report, with findings demonstrating that female-founders obtain disproportionately less investment compared to male-owned companies.

The Gender Index's (TGI) ambition is to help create a more equal future by providing a clear and accurate picture of the disparity between male and female led businesses, by benchmarking the current level of activity undertaken by companies across the UK which are owned or led by female founders.

Angel investing has been remarkably resilient following the pandemic according to research carried out by Professor Colin Mason (pictured) at the University of Glasgow Adam Smith Business School.

Global Data from Angel Investment Network reveals Technology remains the top sector for investors looking to back startups, up 23% year on year and there is growing opportunity for FinTech entrepreneurs, more investors looking to back fintech businesses.

There has been a significant rise in the numbers of angel investors looking to back startups across the globe with technology the most popular sector and food and beverage seeing the fastest year on year growth. These are some of the key findings from Angel Investment Network’s annual analysis of the global state of angel investment funding based on data from their platform. 

Judith Hartley, CEO of British Patient Capital, comments on the need for more diversity within the UK venture capital and angel investment industry.

British Business Bank's Small Business Finance Markets 2021/22 report highlights a surge in equity investment into smaller UK businesses last year. £14bn was invested over the first three quarters of 2021, a 130% increase on the £6.1bn invested over the first three quarters of 20201. With one quarter still to go, investment has already exceeded the £8.7bn invested in the whole of 2020. At the same time, the report shows that bank lending has returned to close to pre-pandemic levels, with 2021 lending down 45% from 2020, driven by lower drawdowns of government-supported loans.

Envestors, the marketplace for early-stage investing, has published the results of its research into the Real Returns of Angel Investing.