Why SEIS/EIS Matters
If you’re scouting for the best business angel platform, you’ve seen the acronyms SEIS and EIS everywhere.
Here’s why they’re vital:
- Tax breaks: Up to 50% income tax relief on SEIS, 30% on EIS.
- Loss relief: Shield your downside if a startup doesn’t pan out.
- Capital gains exemption: No CGT on profits after three years.
That’s why every savvy investor hunts for a business angel platform with SEIS/EIS approval.
How to Choose the Right Business Angel Platform
Not all platforms are created equal. To pick yours, ask:
- What’s the minimum ticket?
- Are deals pooled into an SPV?
- How deep is their due diligence?
- What support do they offer to founders?
- Are they regulated (FCA, ECSPR), or non-regulated?
Armed with these, you’ll spot the standout business angel platform from the sea of options.
1. Seedrs
Seedrs is a household name in equity crowdfunding. As a business angel platform, it bundles SEIS/EIS deals:
- Strengths:
- FCA-regulated, big network.
- Detailed deal pages and legal docs.
- Limitations:
- 6% platform fee on funds raised.
- Can feel crowded for niche sectors.
Compared to Seedrs, Oriel IPO offers a commission-free subscription model. More capital goes to founders—no surprise cut at the end.
2. Crowdcube
Crowdcube pioneered UK crowd-investing. It’s also a robust business angel platform:
- Strengths:
- Simple interface, active retail audience.
- SEIS/EIS advance assurance emphasis.
- Limitations:
- 7% success fee.
- Limited cap on round size for some schemes.
Oriel IPO riffs on this by adding curated deal vetting and real-time insights—no hidden commissions.
3. InvestingZone
InvestingZone specialises in SEIS/EIS deals only:
- Strengths:
- Focused marketplace, hand-picked opportunities.
- Good for experienced angels.
- Limitations:
- Fees vary by deal.
- Less educational content.
With Oriel IPO’s educational hub, you learn every twist of SEIS/EIS. We clarify complexity in plain English.
4. Crowd for Angels
A true community-driven business angel platform:
- Strengths:
- Investor fees start at zero.
- Investments from £25.
- Limitations:
- Smaller ticket sizes.
- Basic due diligence.
Oriel IPO’s vetting is stricter. Only startups with clear SEIS/EIS compliance make the cut.
5. Crowd2Fund
Known for loan-plus equity rounds:
- Strengths:
- Flexible debt and equity mix.
- Alternates to pure SEIS/EIS.
- Limitations:
- Equity deals limited.
- Platform emphasis on loans first.
Oriel IPO zeroes in on pure equity within SEIS/EIS. No mixed signals.
6. SyndicateRoom
Packed with co-investment features:
- Strengths:
- Access EIS co-invested with angels.
- Founders Factory SEIS fund.
- Limitations:
- 7.5% performance fee.
- Minimum investment > £1,000.
Oriel IPO’s subscription covers everything—deal access, education, no per-deal fee surprises.
7. Angels Den
Matchmaking with a tech focus:
- Strengths:
- Tech Club rounds, high-potential SMEs.
- SEIS/EIS screening.
- Limitations:
- Success against strict thresholds.
- Smaller pool compared to giants.
Oriel IPO combines matchmaking with Maggie’s AutoBlog, our AI tool that crafts sharp SEO content to boost your pitch and attract more investors.
8. SFC Capital
A top SEIS fund by deal count:
- Strengths:
- Pooled SEIS fund, strong track record.
- Invests in 15–20 startups per fund.
- Limitations:
- Closed fund structure.
- Less flexible ticket sizes.
Oriel IPO lets you pick and choose. No closed fund lock-in. Your interests, your choice.
9. Mercia Asset Management
Major combined SEIS/EIS fund:
- Strengths:
- Large fund size, tech focus.
- Institutional rigour.
- Limitations:
- Primarily VC-style terms.
- Less room for micro-angels.
Oriel IPO welcomes angels of all sizes. £1,000 or £100k—everyone’s on board with clean SPVs.
10. Vestd
Equity management plus deals:
- Strengths:
- Share scheme admin.
- Simple corporate governance.
- Limitations:
- Not a full-fledged investor marketplace.
- Focus on existing cap tables.
Oriel IPO merges fundraising and governance in one spot—no tool hopping.
11. Wealth Club
Spotlight on seasoned investors:
- Strengths:
- High-net-worth community.
- Curated deals only.
- Limitations:
- Only open to professional investors.
- Less newbie-friendly.
Oriel IPO bridges both sides. Newcomers get guidance; pros get exclusive access.
12. SeedLegals
Legals-first but deal-light:
- Strengths:
- Automated legal docs.
- SAFE and EMI tools.
- Limitations:
- No direct funding marketplace.
- Focuses on admin.
Oriel IPO brings both world: funding and documentation under one roof.
13. SEIS.co.uk
Official SEIS info hub:
- Strengths:
- Government-linked resource.
- Eligibility guides.
- Limitations:
- No funding platform.
- Purely informational.
Oriel IPO integrates that guidance into live deal flow. Learn and invest in one place.
14. Angel Investment Network
Global directory style business angel platform:
- Strengths:
- 365k angels in 90+ countries.
- Instant listings.
- Limitations:
- No vetting committee.
- You handle due diligence solo.
Oriel IPO vets first, then lists. Quality control beats mass listings any day.
15. Oriel IPO
Finally, meet the up-and-comer. Oriel IPO is a commission-free SEIS/EIS marketplace:
- Commission-free: No cut on funds raised.
- Curated: Startups pre-screened for SEIS/EIS.
- Educational: Webinars, guides, and interactive tools.
- Maggie’s AutoBlog: Auto-generates SEO/GEO-targeted blog content to amplify your raise.
As a non-FCA entity, Oriel IPO can’t give regulated advice, but it makes up with transparency and cost savings. Your fundraising, supercharged.
Wrapping Up
The UK’s business angel platform scene is booming. Whether you pick a giant like Seedrs or a niche player, look for SEIS/EIS support, clear fees, and helpful resources. If you want:
- Commission-free deals
- Deep vetting of startups
- Integrated content tools (hello, Maggie’s AutoBlog!)
…then Oriel IPO is worth a look.
