Why SEIS Marketplace Angels Matter in 2025
Looking for SEIS marketplace angels isn’t just about cash. It’s about finding partners who believe in your vision—and in the UK government’s generous tax breaks.
In 2025, the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) remain the gold standard for early-stage funding. Investors can claim up to 50% income tax relief on SEIS and 30% on EIS investments. That’s serious incentive.
So why do SEIS marketplace angels stand out?
- They bring more than money. Expect mentorship, network access and real-world guidance.
- They know SEIS/EIS inside out—no nasty surprises on compliance.
- They move fast. When a seasoned angel spots potential, decisions can happen in weeks, not months.
But finding them can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. That’s where a curated, commission-free platform helps.
Oriel IPO’s Commission-Free, Curated Marketplace
Oriel IPO is on a mission to simplify SEIS/EIS fundraising. Here’s how:
- Commission-free model: No hidden fees eating into your raise. Keep more of every pound.
- Curated deals: Only eligible, high-potential startups make the cut. Less noise. More quality.
- Educational resources: From SEIS/EIS guides to webinars, you’ll master the tax incentives.
- Maggie’s AutoBlog: An AI-powered service that generates SEO and GEO-targeted blog content for your startup. Improve your online visibility, attract more investor eyes, and nail that first impression.
With Oriel IPO, you tap into a hand-picked roster of SEIS marketplace angels. You learn. You pitch. You close. All in one place.
Meet the Top 10 UK Angels for SEIS & EIS Funding
Below are ten standout angels, ranked for their SEIS/EIS track record, deal speed and sector expertise. These are the people you want in your corner in 2025.
1. Sherry Coutu CBE
- Background: Founder of Founders4Schools and serial tech angel
- Sector focus: EdTech, marketplaces, SaaS
- Check size: £50k–£250k under SEIS/EIS
- Why she matters: Sherry brings corporate board experience and hands-on mentoring.
2. Eileen Burbidge
- Background: Partner at Passion Capital
- Sector focus: FinTech, marketplaces, consumer apps
- Check size: £100k–£500k (mix of SEIS/EIS)
- Why she matters: Deep London-VC network and a proven track record.
3. Reshma Sohoni
- Background: Co-founder at Seedcamp
- Sector focus: Cloud, AI, B2B marketplaces
- Check size: £75k–£300k (mostly SEIS)
- Why she matters: Early investor in top UK unicorns.
4. Robin Klein
- Background: Co-founder at LocalGlobe
- Sector focus: Consumer marketplaces, healthtech
- Check size: £100k–£400k
- Why he matters: Over 80 exits; invaluable strategic advice.
5. Saul Klein
- Background: Co-founder at LocalGlobe and Seedcamp
- Sector focus: Marketplace platforms, proptech
- Check size: £100k–£500k
- Why he matters: Global perspective and scale-up know-how.
6. Alex Macpherson
- Background: Partner at LocalGlobe
- Sector focus: Mobile marketplaces, commerce
- Check size: £50k–£200k
- Why he matters: Practical marketing expertise and deal simplicity.
7. Julie Meyer
- Background: Founder of Ariadne Capital
- Sector focus: Digital health, medtech
- Check size: £50k–£150k
- Why she matters: Strong policy and compliance insight for SEIS/EIS.
8. Simon Murdoch
- Background: Chairman at JamJar Investments
- Sector focus: Foodtech, wellness marketplaces
- Check size: £75k–£250k
- Why he matters: Customer-obsession meets growth hacking.
9. Tina Baker
- Background: Director at Angel CoFund
- Sector focus: Green tech, sustainability
- Check size: £100k–£500k
- Why she matters: Niche expertise in high-impact startups.
10. Richard Davis
- Background: MD at Octopus Ventures (Angel Portfolio)
- Sector focus: Consumer marketplaces, retailtech
- Check size: £150k–£400k
- Why he matters: Top SEIS investor with lightning-fast decisions.
Each of these investors has written SEIS/EIS cheques and helped startups navigate the maze of tax paperwork. Partnering with one of these SEIS marketplace angels can turbocharge your growth in 2025.
How to Approach Your Chosen SEIS Marketplace Angel
Meeting the right angel is just the start. Here’s how to make a killer pitch:
-
Nail the problem.
– What real pain does your marketplace solve?
– Keep it time-sensitive and specific. -
Show your traction.
– MVP metrics.
– User retention, growth rate, net revenue. -
Clarify your SEIS/EIS status.
– Confirm HMRC approval early.
– Lay out exact tax benefits for the investor. -
Outline your monetisation.
– Commission model? Subscription? Featured listings?
– Demonstrate a healthy take-rate. -
Leverage Oriel IPO’s resources.
– Download our SEIS/EIS checklist.
– Use Maggie’s AutoBlog to polish your pitch deck and website blog.
Quick tip: angels appreciate concise decks (10 slides max). Focus on the team, market size and exit potential.
Practical Tips & Pitfalls to Avoid
Drawing on insights from experienced founders and marketplace experts:
- Go niche before you scale. It’s easier to dominate a corner of the market.
- Validate before you build. A solid pitch can fund your MVP.
- Expect tough questions on your business model and growth metrics.
- Use human-centred language; investors meet hundreds of pitches. Make yours memorable.
Above all, keep momentum. SEIS/EIS timelines can be tight—get your paperwork in order and keep heads down on traction.
Tracking Success After Funding
Once you land an investment from one of these SEIS marketplace angels, you need to track performance:
- Customer retention rate
- Monthly recurring revenue (MRR) growth
- Average order value on your marketplace
- Burn rate vs runway
Oriel IPO helps you monitor these metrics in one dashboard. Plus, our educational webinars dive deep into scaling marketplaces post-funding.
Final Thoughts
The UK’s startup ecosystem is booming in 2025, and SEIS/EIS remains the backbone of early-stage deals. By focusing on the SEIS marketplace angels above and leveraging Oriel IPO’s commission-free, tax-efficient marketplace, you can turn your vision into reality.
Ready to pitch?
