Why SEIS/EIS Events Are a Must for Founders and Angels
You’ve heard the hype: SEIS/EIS can cut your tax bill. But where do you start? Enter startup funding summits. These gatherings:
- Demystify SEIS/EIS rules.
- Connect you with active angel investors.
- Showcase hand-picked, high-potential startups.
- Offer workshops on due diligence and term sheets.
No jargon. No gatekeepers. Just real people sharing real insights.
Attending a summit gives you that insider edge. You meet mentors, spot trends early and build relationships that last. Plus, a good event often partners with platforms like Oriel IPO to offer commission-free funding. More on that later.
SEIS/EIS 101: A Quick Refresher
Before we dive into the top startup funding summits, let’s recap:
- SEIS (Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme): 50% income tax relief on investments up to £100k.
- EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme): 30% relief on up to £1m.
- Both schemes offer Capital Gains Tax exemptions if you hold shares for at least three years.
- You can carry back losses to offset against other gains.
Knowing these basics helps you ask the right questions at every summit. And you’ll spot opportunities faster.
The Top 2025 Startup Funding Summits in the UK
Here’s our curated list of must-attend events. We’ve included dates, locations, and what makes each stand out.
1. Angel Investor Summit UK (Brighton, March 2025)
A heavyweight in the field. Originally lauded in 2026, the 2025 edition promises:
- An exclusive, investor-only guest list.
- Insights from Europe’s top angels.
- Deep dives into biotech, fintech and AI.
- High-energy networking dinners.
Strength: Stellar speaker lineup.
Limitation: No follow-up support or online dealflow.
2. London SEIS/EIS Forum (London, May 2025)
A boutique event with a strong tax focus:
- Expert panels on SEIS/EIS compliance.
- One-to-one adviser clinics.
- Live pitch sessions from 10-15 startups.
Strength: Laser-focused tax workshops.
Limitation: Smaller investor pool; fewer cross-sector introductions.
3. Northern Tech Investment Summit (Manchester, June 2025)
Tech-heavy. Fast-paced:
- Keynotes on scaling hardware startups.
- Investor roundtables on cross-border deals.
- Demo booths for deep tech ventures.
Strength: Regional diversity and hands-on demos.
Limitation: Limited SEIS breakdown for non-tech founders.
4. Women in Angel Investment Conference (Bristol, July 2025)
A progressive summit championing diversity:
- Female angels share success stories.
- Workshops on gender-bias proofing your pitch.
- Peer mentoring circles.
Strength: Inclusive, inspiring.
Limitation: Narrow investor segment; less EIS/SEIS nitty-gritty.
5. Future Founders Summit (Glasgow, September 2025)
Bold and dynamic:
- Startup showcases with live valuations.
- “Invest or Pass” rapid-fire sessions.
- Networking over whisky (when in Scotland, right?).
Strength: Energetic atmosphere.
Limitation: Over-packed agenda; little downtime.
Each of these startup funding summits delivers value. But none combines that with a commission-free marketplace and ongoing dealflow. That’s where Oriel IPO comes in.
How to Get the Most from These Summits
Showing up isn’t enough. Prepare like a pro:
- Do your homework: Review attendee lists and pitch decks.
- Set clear goals: Meet three investors or two promising founders.
- Practice your pitch: Keep it under two minutes.
- Collect contacts: Use digital business cards.
- Follow up fast: Within 24 hours.
And if you want to automate your post-summit content, try Maggie’s AutoBlog. It’s Oriel IPO’s AI tool that turns your event notes into SEO-optimised blog posts—instantly.
Comparing the Angel Investor Summit with Oriel IPO
The Angel Investor Summit is top-tier. No doubt. You get:
- Face time with heavy hitters.
- A polished, in-person experience.
- Inspiration galore.
But it’s a one-day gig. What happens next? Often, you lose momentum. No centralised dealflow. No ongoing education.
Oriel IPO fixes that:
- Commission-free investments across all SEIS/EIS deals.
- A curated marketplace of live opportunities.
- In-platform tools: tax breakdowns, valuation calculators, legal templates.
- Subscription tiers for novices to pros.
- Continuous learning: workshops, webinars, community forums.
In short, you get summit vibes every day, not just in Brighton.
Why Oriel IPO Should Be Your Post-Summit Partner
You’ve met angels. You’ve seen pitches. Now you need a platform that:
- Keeps investor insights fresh.
- Cuts out broker fees.
- Offers tax-efficient deals.
Oriel IPO’s strengths:
- Commission-free funding: More of your capital works for you.
- Curated SEIS/EIS opportunities: No random pitches.
- Educational hub: From exit strategies to term sheet tactics.
- Maggie’s AutoBlog: Automate your startup’s content and stay visible.
Plus, we’re eyeing FCA regulation soon. That means more trust, more users, more deals.
Navigating the Competitive Landscape
Platforms like Seedrs and Crowdcube have scale. They offer advice and regulation. But they charge fees. They also mix equity crowdfunding with SEIS/EIS, diluting focus.
Oriel IPO’s edge:
- Zero commission on SEIS/EIS deals.
- A niche, tax-focused marketplace.
- Fresh, AI-driven content tools.
- Deep partnerships in accounting and advisory networks are coming soon.
Conclusion: Summit Today, Scale Tomorrow
startup funding summits are the spark. They light your network on fire. But to build a lasting blaze, you need the right fuel. That’s Oriel IPO.
Join the summit. Then stay in the arena—online, commission-free, with world-class tools at your fingertips.
