GUEST COLUMN:
Sarah Rees
M&A Adviser
Beaumonde Consulting
I became an angel investor earlier this year, and it has already been one of the most rewarding professional and personal experiences I have had.
My day job is as an M&A adviser, working mostly on strategic acquisitions for European businesses in sectors like technology and engineering that want to enter the UK market. I also advise businesses in Wales and across the UK that are preparing for a sale and seeking a buyer. My work has always been focused on the established end of the market – larger companies, later-stage transactions – so start-ups and early-stage businesses were outside my usual sphere.
In truth, I had never imagined I would qualify as an angel investor. I had a fixed idea that angel investors were multi-millionaires with vast sums to put into new ventures. I didn’t think someone like me – still actively working, with limited time and funds – would fit the bill.
What changed was hearing about Women Angels of Wales. I wanted to engage more with the business community here, meet people locally, and support the Welsh economy in a direct way. Joining the group has exceeded all my expectations. It has been inspiring to see the quality and creativity of the business ideas coming out of Wales, and to meet the people leading them.
The pitch events are a highlight. We hear from five to eight new companies at each one, spanning a huge range of sectors – everything from blockchain to mining to concrete technology. The breadth of innovation is remarkable. For me, it has been a refreshing reminder of just how much is happening in Wales at that early stage, and how much talent and ambition is being channelled into ideas with real potential.
From a professional perspective, I have learnt an enormous amount. My work in M&A means I usually deal with established companies, but angel investing has given me insight into how businesses start, how they secure funding, and the different routes they can take to grow. It has broadened my understanding of the business lifecycle and challenged me to look at opportunities in a different way.
In June, I closed my first investment, working alongside another member of the group. It was in a business developing innovation to reduce plastic in the sea – something that resonated strongly with me as a scuba diver. Having the chance to back a venture that aligns with a personal passion has been particularly rewarding, and I am looking forward to finding other projects that have similar meaning.
I won’t pretend the prospect of becoming an angel investor wasn’t daunting. The amount of due diligence, the assessment of risks, and the sheer volume of information involved can be overwhelming if you are doing it alone. That is why being part of a syndicate is so valuable. You share the workload, discuss deals with others, and benefit from different perspectives on each opportunity. It is collaborative, supportive, and ultimately more effective. Pooling resources means that even if I can only invest a limited amount personally, collectively we can make a significant impact on a business and help it reach the next stage.
The group has also introduced a buddy system for new members, which was put in place just as I joined. It pairs you with a more experienced investor who can guide you through your first few investments, explaining what happens at pitch meetings, how decisions are made, what the timeline looks like, and what role you will play at each stage. For me, that guidance has been invaluable. Having someone at the end of the phone, or able to meet regularly, made the process much less intimidating and helped me find my feet quickly.
It has not yet been a year since I joined Women Angels of Wales, and already I feel more connected to the local business community, more knowledgeable about early-stage investment, and more confident in my ability to make a positive contribution. Angel investing is often talked about in terms of the impact you have on the businesses you back – and that impact is real – but the experience also gives back a great deal to you as an investor. I am excited to see where this journey will take me next.
Sarah talks about this and more in The Women Angels of Wales Investment Series podcast episode Becoming an Angel. Listen to the podcast here.
