Chester Racecourse was the venue as new businesses from Cheshire and Warrington sought to get their ventures over the winning line – by making successful pitches to Cheshire investors known as the Business Angels.
Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington’s Growth Hub established Cheshire Business Angels – a network of up to 70 investors and high net worth individuals ready to back ambitious small businesses across healthcare, manufacturing, digital technology and beyond.
After a successful debut event in February, a second Dragons’ Den-style event took place at Chester Racecourse on Wednesday, June 10, in partnership with Xeinadin Accountants and Gorvins Solicitors.
Entrepreneurs pitched to investors and professional advisers. Requests came from:
- AI-integrated distributed energy systems company, Enturi, who sought to raise £1million from a seed round, including £100,000 from the strategic angels.
- MyClinic, for their medical and wellbeing centres, sought more than £1,085,000 across a number of centres at £100,000 per investor.
- Innovative solutions for skincare and dermatology company, Quodria, sought up to £100,000 to close their seed round.
- UK premium energy drink brand, Pantheon Energy, sought £220,000 in their seed round.
- SaaS platform, Equicantis, provides business management and rehabilitation tools for animal physical therapists, sought £100,000 growth funding.
- MagnifyB, an AI virtual adviser firm for UK SMEs, sought £750,000 growth funding.
Investors pledged to continue discussions with the companies ahead of formal investment decisions. Successful businesses will secure not only capital but ongoing strategic support from their investors, who receive equity stakes in return.
Before the pitches, industry leaders shared expert insight, including:
- Paul Whitney, Head of Corporate Finance UK, and Laura Duggan, Partner, from Xeinadin Accountants, covered financial and tax planning essentials for investment readiness.
- Christian Mancier, Partner – Corporate Commercial, from Gorvins Solicitors, provided practical legal guidance for investors and founders.
- There was also an Investor Best Practice session facilitated by Richard Lydon and Andy Round, from Deepbridge, who shared their experiences and insights.
Steve Purdham, chair of the Cheshire and Warrington Business Advisory Board, said: “We were delighted to bring the Cheshire Business Angels to Chester Racecourse for another round of local businesses securing investment and expertise.
“As a new mayoral region, our job is to make Cheshire and Warrington the place where ambitious firms choose to grow and where investment knows it will be well backed. That starts with businesses like these, and with the Angels who get behind them.”
The initiative comes amid Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority’s own ambitions as it brings forward plans in the coming months to invest in accelerating growth priorities and business support for a region home to almost one million residents, national strengths in clean energy, life sciences and advanced manufacturing, 41,000 businesses, and a £4bn tourism economy. The CWCA is also continuing preparatory work ahead of the 2027 mayoral election and the transfer of powers in areas including transport and skills.
To receive more information on Cheshire Business Angels please use the form https://cheshireandwarrington.com/growth-and-skills/growth-hub/contact-the-growth-hub-1-1/
