Introduction
France Angels, the federation of 64 French business angel networks, recently decided to shift its entire deal flow to Dealum. Over 5,500 active investors and a portfolio of 2,500 companies were involved. Impressive, right? But as the UK’s SEIS/EIS space heats up, you need more than just a generic tool. You need a commission-free, tax-savvy business angel platform tailor-made for the nuances of UK regulations.
In this case study, we’ll break down:
- Why France Angels chose Dealum.
- The strengths and shortcomings of a one-size-fits-all solution.
- How platforms like Oriel IPO can learn, adapt and outpace.
- Practical steps to build or join a winning SEIS/EIS marketplace.
Whether you’re an SME founder scouting funding, or an investor hunting for tax-efficient deals, you’ll get actionable takeaways. Let’s dive in.
The Dealum Experience: Scaling Nationwide
Dealum describes itself as a deal flow and collaboration platform for angel investor groups. France Angels heard about Dealum through Business Angels Europe, ran a pilot, then onboarded the entire federation. Here’s what they loved:
- Centralised deal flow management for 64 groups.
- Collaborative due diligence across regions.
- Tools for closing rounds and portfolio tracking.
- A SaaS pricing model that slashed admin friction.
“It ticked all the boxes for workflow,” said Philippe Gluntz, President Emeritus of France Angels. And at under €X,000 per year, it was a bargain for a pan-French rollout.
What Worked
- Streamlined submissions. Angel groups stopped sharing Excel sheets and email threads.
- Enhanced syndication. Regional networks could co-invest with ease.
- Scalability. From a handful of groups to 64 in months.
Where Dealum Stumbled
- Generic design. It wasn’t built for UK SEIS/EIS quirks.
- Commission costs. While not excessive, per-deal fees still cropped up.
- Limited educational content. Angel networks still needed external guides on tax reliefs.
Dealum nailed the fundamentals of a business angel platform, but it left cracks for tax-savvy, commission-free marketplaces to fill.
Key Lessons for UK SEIS/EIS Platforms
Building a thriving business angel platform in the UK revolves around three pillars:
- Tax-specific features
- Commission-free model
- Investor and founder education
Let’s unpack each.
1. Tax-Specific Features
Dealum’s workflow tools are solid. But SEIS and EIS demand extra:
- Eligibility checks for relief schemes.
- Automated tax relief calculations.
- Submission-ready forms for HMRC.
Oriel IPO steps in with dedicated SEIS/EIS eligibility filters. No guesswork. Startups that qualify appear with clear labels. Investors see projected relief amounts at a glance. That’s the kind of polish Dealum lacks for UK users.
2. Commission-Free Model
Dealum charges per deal or per user seat. Oriel IPO flips that on its head. A simple subscription unlocks every feature. Your startup keeps 100% of funds raised. Your investors avoid hidden fees. A clean, transparent proposition.
3. Investor and Founder Education
Dealum offers workflow guidance. But tax schemes? Not so much. Oriel IPO fills the gap with:
- Guides on SEIS/EIS benefits and pitfalls.
- Webinars led by tax advisors.
- Interactive calculators and FAQs.
An empowered community invests with confidence.
Why Oriel IPO Outpaces Traditional Platforms
Now that we’ve teased differences, let’s dive into Oriel IPO’s secret sauce. Imagine a business angel platform that blends:
- Commission-free funding.
- Curated, tax-efficient opportunities.
- Automated content support for startups.
- Deep educational resources.
All under one roof.
Commission-Free Advantage
No matter your deal size, Oriel IPO’s subscription is flat. No surprises:
- Startups retain every penny.
- Investors avoid extra levies.
- The platform focuses on volume, not commissions.
This approach creates alignment. Everyone wins when deals close.
Curated, Tax-Efficient Opportunities
Every listing on Oriel IPO passes strict SEIS/EIS checks. You won’t drown in unqualified pitches. Instead, investors see vetted deals ripe for relief.
Automated SEO Boost with Maggie’s AutoBlog
Startups need visibility. That’s where Maggie’s AutoBlog, our AI-powered content engine, comes in. It auto-generates SEO and GEO-targeted blog posts tailored to your project. More traffic. Better investor engagement. All without hiring an in-house content team.
Building a Commission-Free SEIS/EIS Marketplace: A Blueprint
Thinking of launching your own SEIS/EIS hub? Or curious how Oriel IPO structured theirs? Follow this playbook:
-
Define User Journeys
– Map founder and investor workflows.
– Identify pain points (tax confusion, fee resistance). -
Develop Tax-Specific Filters
– Integrate HMRC guidelines via API or manual rules.
– Highlight relief metrics clearly on listings. -
Adopt a Subscription Model
– Simplicity beats per-deal charges.
– Offer tiered plans: free trial, premium, enterprise. -
Curate and Vet Opportunities
– Build an in-house review team or partner with advisers.
– Use standardised pitch decks and data rooms. -
Invest in Education
– Host webinars with tax experts.
– Publish guides, case studies and calculators.
– Encourage peer Q&A forums. -
Leverage Automation
– Auto-generate content with tools like Maggie’s AutoBlog.
– Automate reminders for compliance deadlines. -
Foster Community
– Enable comment threads on deals.
– Reward early contributors with badges or perks. -
Measure and Iterate
– Track conversion, deal velocity and user satisfaction.
– Tweak features based on real-world feedback.
By following these steps, you mirror the best bits of Dealum’s workflow engine while sidestepping its one-size-fits-all pitfalls.
Overcoming Challenges and Future Outlook
Even the slickest business angel platform faces hurdles:
- Regulatory shifts. New FCA guidance can change the game overnight.
- Competition. Established names like Seedrs and Crowdcube won’t sit still.
- Conversion. Trial users don’t always become subscribers.
Oriel IPO tackles these head-on:
- Monitoring government updates and adapting quickly.
- Differentiating through commission-free pricing.
- Offering a seamless onboarding experience with Maggie’s AutoBlog content packs.
Plus, upcoming features include compliance dashboards, analytics suites and strategic partnerships with accounting networks. The aim? To keep your SEIS/EIS journey simple, transparent and rewarding.
Conclusion
France Angels’ switch to Dealum shows the power of centralised deal flow. Yet it also highlights gaps for SEIS/EIS-focused ventures. A UK-centric, commission-free business angel platform like Oriel IPO fills those gaps. It combines tax-specific filters, curated deals, deep education and automated content support via Maggie’s AutoBlog.
Ready to experience a better way to raise or invest under SEIS/EIS? Oriel IPO is waiting.
